Kojima's Vision for Death Stranding's Future: Plate Gate Concept Enables Endless Sequels Worldwide

Even before Death Stranding 2: On the Beach hits shelves in 2025, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima is already thinking about the franchise's future beyond the upcoming sequel. In a fascinating revelation, Kojima has confirmed he won't be developing Death Stranding 3 himself, preferring to pass the torch to someone else while he focuses on his overflowing slate of projects. 🎮

The Revolutionary Plate Gate Concept 🔄

Speaking with VGC, Kojima dropped a bombshell about the "Plate Gate" concept that could theoretically spawn "endless sequels" by allowing Death Stranding games to take place in different countries around the world. This innovative framework provides a structural foundation that makes the franchise infinitely expandable without losing its core identity.

Kojima explained: "If I use this Plate Gate concept, I could make endless sequels. I, of course, don't have any plans to do that, but I already have a concept for another sequel. I am not going to make it myself, but if I passed it on to someone else, they could probably make it."

This approach represents a significant shift in how game franchises can be structured, moving away from traditional linear sequels toward a more modular, location-based expansion system. The concept essentially creates a framework where different development teams could explore unique cultural interpretations of the Death Stranding universe while maintaining consistent gameplay mechanics and lore.

Why Kojima is Stepping Back 🤔

At 61 years old, Kojima's decision to hand off future Death Stranding development makes perfect sense when you consider his current workload:

• OD: The highly anticipated horror game collaboration with Xbox

• Physint: A new espionage game published by Sony

• Feature Film: Kojima's expansion into cinematic storytelling

That's three major projects already in development, each requiring the meticulous attention to detail that Kojima is famous for. The gaming legend seems to be embracing a new role as a creative visionary who establishes foundations for others to build upon.

Pandemic's Impact on Death Stranding 2's Theme 🌍

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on Kojima's creative direction for Death Stranding 2, leading to the game's intriguing tagline: "We should not have connected." This represents a complete philosophical reversal from the first game's message.

Kojima reflected on this shift: "We released Death Stranding before the COVID-19 pandemic. The world was heading towards isolation and division, such as the UK leaving the EU. So I was saying, 'Let's connect. We're headed for disaster if we don't connect.' That was the theme, story, and gameplay for Death Stranding."

He continued with remarkable insight: "After the release, just three months later, we entered the pandemic, and I was really surprised – it looked like Death Stranding, in a way. In the real world – the 21st century – we have something similar to the Chiral Network, which is the Internet. We survived the pandemic because of the Internet and people were connected online."

The Future of the Franchise 🔮

Kojima's evolving perspective adds fascinating depth to the series: "It's the strangest thing. After I created a game with the theme of 'let's connect instead of division and isolation,' we had the pandemic, and I began to think, 'Maybe it's not such a good thing to connect so much.'"

This philosophical journey from connection as salvation to connection as potential danger creates a rich thematic foundation for future installments. The Plate Gate concept could explore different societies grappling with these questions in culturally specific ways.

What This Means for Death Stranding 3:

• New Creative Leadership: Potential for fresh perspectives on the universe

• Global Settings: Different countries with unique approaches to connectivity

• Expanded Lore: Opportunities to explore new aspects of the Death Stranding world

• Cultural Variations: How different societies handle isolation and connection

The fate of Death Stranding 3 ultimately depends on how well Death Stranding 2 performs when it launches exclusively on PS5 on June 26, 2025. If the game resonates with audiences, we could see Kojima Productions become a hub for multiple creative teams working within the Death Stranding universe, each bringing their unique vision to different corners of this fascinating world. 🌐

Kojima's willingness to let go of his creation demonstrates remarkable creative maturity and a forward-thinking approach to franchise development. Instead of clinging tightly to his intellectual property, he's creating a framework that could outlive his direct involvement, ensuring that the world of Death Stranding continues to evolve and surprise players for years to come. This could very well become a new model for how legendary creators can ensure their visions continue while allowing for fresh perspectives and innovation. ✨