(Image credit: SIE)
As the anticipation builds for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, the original Death Stranding has reached a remarkable milestone: over 20 million players have embarked on this unique journey.
Hideo Kojima expressed his gratitude on Twitter, saying, “The number of ‘Death Stranding’ players has exceeded 20 million. Thank you very much. Sams from all over the world are still delivering. You are connecting the world.” The concept of connection is deeply rooted in Death Stranding’s narrative, offering not just a story of isolation but one of unity in a fragmented world.
Kojima has shared personal insights, revealing that his experience after leaving Konami heavily influenced the game’s themes. He once mentioned, “I thought I lost everything when I became alone nine years ago,” highlighting his journey from doubt to the discovery of the importance of human connections.
While the number of players highlights its success, Kojima clarifies this figure refers to players, not sales. For example, if someone buys the game and shares it with a friend, that counts as two players but only one sale. Regardless, its remarkable engagement helped pave the way for the sequel.
March saw a surge in Steam activity for Death Stranding, indicating that fans are preparing for the upcoming sequel by either purchasing or revisiting the game. Steam numbers suggest strong enthusiasm, with the sequel set to release on June 26. Recently, Kojima announced that all recording and sound mixing for the sequel was complete, along with milestones like the completion of the Japanese dubbing and actors’ final filming sessions.
As we eagerly await the sequel, there’s a plethora of upcoming new games in 2025 to enjoy in the meantime, keeping audiences engaged with fresh content until the next chapter of Death Stranding unfolds.