In recent months, expectations surrounding Kojima Productions' current slate of projects have started to build up. News stories that point to Death Stranding 2‘s existence in particular have captured the imagination of fans online. While nothing has been officially revealed, teases from Norman Reedus and Elle Fanning have fueled discussions on that topic.
Naturally, rumors surrounding the theoretical Death Stranding 2 have prompted some fans to speculate about when Kojima Productions could announce the project - or whatever it's currently working on. The Game Awards 2022 has emerged as a leading candidate, and while fans should always take rumors with a grain of salt, it’s worth examining why that is.
Hideo Kojima and Geoff Keighley's Relationship
Based on a long list of interactions, it’s clear that Hideo Kojima and Geoff Keighley share a genuine friendship. Ever since Kojima's split from Konami in 2015, the creator of The Game Awards has consistently provided a platform for him to make announcements. Of the last eight award shows that Keighley has hosted, Kojima has featured in all but one Game Awards ceremony.
There’s a solid chance that Kojima will show up this year as a result. The nature of the announcements that he has made at previous events, often in relation to Death Stranding, suggests something more substantial could be on the cards this year. It hasn’t gone unnoticed that teases Kojima has recently made toward the sequel’s existence have occasionally featured Geoff Keighley.
During one virtual meeting that the pair held together, for example, Kojima was wearing a t-shirt with a BB’s face on it. Although there’s a chance that the meeting was solely in relation to Keighley’s appearance on Kojima’s podcast, it wouldn’t be surprising if a Game Awards reveal was being planned at the same time.
Alternative Events where Death Stranding 2 Could Appear
Kojima’s relationship with Keighley is only one reason why The Game Awards are a likely event for Death Stranding 2 to debut at. With 2022 almost over, this annual awards show is quickly becoming the last chance for major appearances. Aside from Paris Games Week (PGW), there aren’t any other events that would offer Kojima Productions a big spotlight before the end of the year.
It's worth noting that fans have found references to the studio around Paris. GameStop’s French off-shoot Micromania appears to be teasing a promotion based on the studio, for example, but this doesn’t mean Death Stranding 2 will show up at PGW. It's unlikely the chain would have advanced knowledge about a game announcement of this caliber, with a more likely connection being the fact that Kojima has held signings in its stores during previous events. A reveal similar to Elle Fanning's hiring, which coincided with this year's Tokyo Games Show, seems more likely if he attends PGW.
Sony’s Stance on PlayStation Showcases
While there’s a chance Death Stranding 2 might be shown off beyond 2022, Kojima's recent activity suggests this won't be the case. One aspect supporting a reveal at The Game Awards is Sony’s stance on big game announcements. As it stands now, hope for another PlayStation Showcase before the end of 2022 is starting to fade.
If the owner of the IP is not going to hold an event, Kojima will likely have to look elsewhere if he wants to announce Death Stranding 2 this year. What could be telling on this front is that Kojima has had several meetings with Sony in recent weeks. Based on timing, it's not hard to imagine talks being centered around preparing a trailer for an event like The Game Awards. Still, fans will have to wait and see what comes to pass at Keighley's next showcase.
Death Stranding 2 is rumored to be in development.
