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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Death Stranding''}}
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{{Character|image1 = ManInTheGoldenMask.png|also know as = Man in the Golden Mask|hair color = Unknown|eye color = Unknown|height = 6′ 3″|weight = 175 lbs|status = Alive|main appearance(s) = [[Death Stranding]]|created by = [[Hideo Kojima]]|voiced by (english) = [[Troy Baker]]|voiced by (japanese) = [[Satoshi Mikami]]|portrayed by = [[Troy Baker]]}}'''The Man in the Golden Mask''' is an unnamed character and antagonist in [[Death Stranding]].
  
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{{Infobox game
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| image = DS key art 01.jpg
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| name = ''Death Stranding''
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| developers = [[Kojima Productions]]
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| publishers = Sony Interactive Entertainment
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| directors = [[Hideo Kojima]]
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| producers = Hideo Kojima<br>[[Kenichiro Imaizumi]]
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| designers = Hideo Kojima
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| programmers =
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| writers = Hideo Kojima<br>[[Hitori Nojima]]
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| artists = [[Yoji Shinkawa]]
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| composers = [[Ludvig Forssell]]
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| engine = [[Decima]]
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| platforms = PlayStation 4
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| released = TBA
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| genres = Action
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| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
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}}
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{{Quote|Once, there was an explosion. A bang which gave birth to time and space.<br>Once, there was an explosion. A bang which set a planet spinning in that space.<br>Once, there was an explosion. A bang which gave rise to life as we know it.<br>And then, came the next explosion. An explosion that will be our last.|Sam}}
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'''''Death Stranding''''' is an action video game developed by [[Kojima Productions]] and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment exclusively for the PlayStation 4. It is directed by [[Hideo Kojima]] &ndash; the first game he and his reformed studio have worked on since the disbandment of Kojima Productions as a Konami subsidiary in July 2015. The game was officially announced during Sony's E3 2016 press conference.
   
  +
Though the game's official release date is currently unannounced, several release windows have been given throughout its development. Kojima has stated that, "[''Death Stranding''] will be out before the Olympics", referencing the Tokyo 2020 Games. Additionally, in 2016, he stated that "there is a movie called ''Akira'', and [''Death Stranding''] will be out before the year in which ''Akira'' is set", with that year being 2019.<ref name="tgs-2016" /> During the TGS 2018 stage panel, Kojima mentioned that the game is still on track to release when planned, which is the year 2019 in which ''Akira'' is set. In a podcast with Dan Fogler, [[Norman Reedus]] corroborated an early 2019 release.<ref name="dan-fogler-podcast" /> In March 2019, Kojima revealed that "''Death Stranding'' is very slightly behind our initial plan, but not behind by much."<ref name="behind-schedule" />
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== History ==
  
⚫
TBA
  
   
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== Death Stranding ==
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In late March, ''Death Stranding'' became available for pre-order.<ref name="now-live" />
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TBA
  
   
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== Behind the Scenes ==
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== Synopsis ==
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=== Plot ===
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He is portrayed by American voice actor Troy Baker
  
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Little has been revealed regarding the story of ''Death Stranding'' thus far. One crucial plot point will be the stranding of something otherworldly into the [[World of Death Stranding|world]].<ref name="otherworldly" />
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[[Category:Stubs]]
  
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[[Category:Characters]]
  
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In the TGA 2017 teaser trailer, it is mentioned that a series of explosions have given rise to all of known existence, and that a fourth, final explosion is impending.
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[[Category:Death Stranding Characters]]
  
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[[Category:Male]]
  
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An official synopsis from PlayStation's YouTube video description for the E3 2018 teaser trailer:<ref name="yt-desc" />
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[[Category:Antagonists]]
  
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{{Quote|<!-- Verbatim -->Besieged by death's tide at every turn, [[Sam Bridges]] must brave a world utterly transformed by the [[Death Stranding (phenomenon)|Death Stranding]]. Carrying the stranded remnants of the future in his hands, Sam embarks on a journey to reunite the shattered world one step at a time. What is the mystery of the Death Stranding? What will Sam discover on the road ahead? A genre defining gameplay experience holds these answers and more.}}
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  +
=== Characters and cast ===
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{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
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! Character
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! EN voice
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! JP voice
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! Mo-cap
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|-
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| [[Sam]]
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| [[Norman Reedus]]
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| {{wp|Kenjiro Tsuda}}
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| Norman Reedus
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|-
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| "[[Mysterious Soldier]]"
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| [[Mads Mikkelsen]]
  ⚫
| TBA
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| Mads Mikkelsen
  +
|-
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| [[Unidentified Bridges affiliate]]
  ⚫
| TBA
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| {{wp|Akihiko Ishizumi}}
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| [[Guillermo del Toro]] <small>(likeness)</small>
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|-
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| [[Unidentified Fragile Express woman]]
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| [[Léa Seydoux]]
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| {{wp|Nana Mizuki}}
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| Léa Seydoux
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|-
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| [[Unidentified red-dressed woman]]
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| [[Lindsay Wagner]]
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| {{wp|Kikuko Inoue}}
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| Lindsay Wagner
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|-
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| Unidentified [[Corpse Disposal Team 6|CDT 6]] operative 1
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| Kyle Card
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| TBA
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| Kyle Card
  +
|-
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| Unidentified CDT 6 operative 2
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| Claude Patrick
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| TBA
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| Claude Patrick
  +
|-
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| Unidentified woman
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| [[Emily O'Brien]]
  +
| TBA
  +
| Emily O'Brien
  +
|-
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| "[[Man in the Golden Mask]]"
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| [[Troy Baker]]
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| {{wp|Satoshi Mikami}}
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| Troy Baker
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|-
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| "[[Commander of the Organization]]"
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| [[Tommie Earl Jenkins]]
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| {{wp|Akio Otsuka}}
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| Tommie Earl Jenkins
  +
|}
  +
  +
== Gameplay ==
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''Death Stranding'' is an open world, action game that is heavily story-driven and single-player focused, while also possessing multiplayer elements.<ref name="otherworldly" /> The player has ample freedom of movement, with vehicles available for use, and in how to approach the game, being able to choose whether to progress fighting or through alternative methods. The online component is completely optional and will offer the player a different experience from conventional multiplayer modes.<ref name="strands-decima-guerrilla" />
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[[File:Sam crossing a crevasse.jpg|thumb|right|Sam crossing a crevasse while carrying a heavy load of cases]]
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As the deliveryman Sam, players traverse the world of ''Death Stranding'' while transporting a manner of things, sometimes even individuals. Carried cases are wrapped in [[damage sensor tape]]; the color of the tape changes according to the integrity level of wrapped cases.<ref name="hk-tape-tweet" /> The number of cases Sam can carry varies, from a single back load to two handfuls, two shoulder loads and a stacked back load. Sam has several tools at his disposal to overcome environmental obstacles in the world, including a rope for climbing and descending high rock faces and a ladder for crossing large open gaps.
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An [[unidentified baby]] plays an integral role in the game, and in conjunction with a shoulder-mounted mechanical arm, provides the player a means of detecting [[mysterious entities]] roaming the world.<ref name="kojima-explains" /> Using stealth, the player can circumvent the mysterious entities. Should the player be detected and eaten by mysterious entities, they will trigger a [[voidout]] and leave a persistent crater at the site of their demise.
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Hideo Kojima took an unconventional approach to the concepts of life and death in ''Death Stranding'', and stated that "'death' is about to have a new meaning".<ref name="death-new-meaning" /> In ''Death Stranding'', death does not mean a conventional "Game over", instead being analogous to a "Continue?" screen, never truly pulling players out of the game. When the player dies, they are transported outside Sam's body into an "upside down" world, where they are free to explore and recover lost items. Furthermore, player-determined changes to the game world will be persistent, remaining present even after player deaths.<ref name="kojima-explains" />
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== Presentation ==
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[[File:Kojima return E3 2016.png|thumb|left|''"Hello, everyone. I'm back!"'']]
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Hideo Kojima formally revealed ''Death Stranding'' at Sony's E3 2016 conference, through a reveal trailer featuring the then-unidentified lead character Sam, portrayed by [[Norman Reedus]]. At TGA 2016, Kojima Productions revealed a teaser trailer featuring a character portrayed by [[Mads Mikkelsen]] and another bearing the likeness of [[Guillermo del Toro]]. At TGA 2017, Kojima revealed a second teaser trailer, which provided a more expansive look at the game's unique world and story.
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At E3 2018, an extensive teaser trailer premiering gameplay and incorporating "Asylums for the Feeling" by Silent Poets (feat. Leila Adu) was released, featuring two new key female characters portrayed by [[Léa Seydoux]] and [[Lindsay Wagner]]. Later that year at TGS 2018, it was revealed that [[Tommie Earl Jenkins]] would portray a key character in the game, and that Akio Ōtsuka, Kikuko Inoue, Nana Mizuki and Satoshi Mikami &ndash; ''Metal Gear'' series veterans &ndash; along with Kenjiro Tsuda, had joined the game's Japanese voice cast.<ref name="new-cast-details" />
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== Development ==
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[[File:Kojima del Toro and Reedus TGA 2017.jpg|thumb|right|''Death Stranding'' marks the second collaboration between Hideo Kojima, Guillermo del Toro, and Norman Reedus]]
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The development of ''Death Stranding'' began following Kojima Productions' reformation in December 2015. The game entered full development in 2017. Kojima revealed that in previous games he has worked on, he had to make compromises to bring them to fruition. With ''Death Stranding'', however, he stated that the need for compromise is no longer present, and is confident that the game will be "something completely new that no-one has seen so far", as well as his best creative work yet.<ref name="best-work" /> Kojima was aware of the belief that he was deliberately proceeding too slowly in the game's development, and revealed that was not the case.<ref name="kojima-explains" />
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It has been suggested that ''Death Stranding'' does not solely into one specific gaming genre.<ref name="genre-defying" /> Its genre-defying nature has been described in a similar vein to that of ''Metal Gear'': In its infancy, ''Metal Gear'' was initially considered to be merely an action game, as the stealth genre was not thought to exist at the time; it would go on to be perceived as something more specific and unique due to its novel stealth elements, ultimately ushering in the stealth genre of video games.<ref name="cryptic-details" />
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=== Concept ===
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[[File:Connected personnel.png|thumb|right|A rope connecting, from left to right, Guillermo del Toro, Norman Reedus, Hideo Kojima and Mads Mikkelsen]]
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According to Kojima, most action games consist of players communicating with the equivalents of "sticks" &ndash; swords, guns, punches, kicks and other avenues of physical communication &ndash; with the "stick" metaphorically being humanity's first invention. Kojima aims to "tie people together" by utilizing humanity's second invention: the "rope". With "ropes", a primary focus of the gameplay will be building connections, or more precisely, what are called "strands" in psychology &ndash; the way people are connected.<ref name="cryptic-details" /><ref name="about-ds" /> Despite there being an increased emphasis on "ropes", "sticks" will still be utilized in the game as well, in conjunction with "ropes".<ref name="stick-and-rope" />
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=== Engine ===
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{{Further|Decima}}
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After a worldwide tour of video game studios, and with the technical advisement of Mark Cerny, Kojima narrowed down two game engines for ''Death Stranding'', one of which was used to create the game's E3 2016 teaser trailer.<ref name="teaser-unplayable" /> Kojima ultimately chose Guerrilla Games' in-house Decima engine after being sent a box containing the engine's source code, which "made [him] very happy". Additionally, Kojima set up a small satellite studio at Guerrilla Games, in order to work in close liaison with the Dutch studio to improve the engine.<ref name="engine-info" />
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=== Music ===
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The official soundtrack of ''Death Stranding'' is composed by [[Ludvig Forssell]], who previously worked with Kojima on ''Metal Gear Solid V''.
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The first two trailers for ''Death Stranding'' used songs produced by the Icelandic band {{wp|Low Roar}}: "I'll Keep Coming" in the reveal trailer and "Easy Way Out" in the TGA 2016 teaser trailer. In February 2017, a limited edition 12" single containing the aforementioned two songs was published by Mondo Records, in conjunction with Kojima Productions. This was the first piece of merchandise released for ''Death Stranding''. At E3 2018, the revealed teaser trailer used {{wp|Silent Poets}}' "Asylum for the Feeling" as a background song.
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== Reception ==
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=== Prerelease ===
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In early 2019, Kojima privately demoed the first two hours of an early version of the game to Guerrilla Games<ref name="private-demo" /> and ''Metal Gear Solid'' movie director Jordan Vogt-Roberts. This early showing received much excitement and praise from the viewing parties, with Vogt-Roberts describing the game world as "next-level immaculate".<ref name="vogt-roberts" /> Sam Lake of Remedy Entertainment was also shown the game and stated that it "dares to push the boundaries".<ref name="sam-lake" /> In March, ''The Division 2'' director Julian Gerighty was shown the game, and was left thinking it was "mind-blowing" and would be "timeless".<ref name="julian-gerighty" /> In April, Iain Cook of the band CHVRCHES was shown the game by Kojima and was likewise left in awe, stating, "Some of the shit he is doing with the new game is unlike anything I have seen anyone else do."<ref name="iain-cook" />
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  ⚫
== Gallery ==
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=== Key art ===
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{{Gallery|
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DS key art 02.jpg{{!}}Key art featuring Sam
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DS key art 03.jpg{{!}}Key art featuring the "Mysterious Soldier"
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DS key art 04.jpg{{!}}Key art featuring the unidentified Bridges affiliate
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DS key art 05.jpg{{!}}Key art featuring Sam holding the unidentified baby
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DS key art 06.jpg{{!}}Key art featuring Sam holding the unidentified baby
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DS key art 07.jpg{{!}}Key art featuring the unidentified Fragile Express woman
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DS key art 08.jpg{{!}}Key art featuring the unidentified red-dressed woman holding the unidentified baby
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}}
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=== Trailers ===
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<gallery position="center" spacing="small" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
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Death Stranding – E3 2016 Reveal Trailer
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Death Stranding – TGA 2016 Teaser Trailer
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Death Stranding – TGA 2017 Teaser Trailer
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Death Stranding – E3 2018 Teaser Trailer
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Death Stranding – TGS 2018 Trailer
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</gallery>
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== Notes ==
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* A key theme in the game, as well its namesake concept, is {{wp|cetacean stranding}} &ndash; the phenomenon of cetaceans stranding themselves ashore. The event is more encompassing in ''Death Stranding'' than it is in reality, however; several other forms of marine life are seen stranded on a beach alongside cetaceans, including crustaceans and fish.
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* Development of ''Death Stranding'' has been so smooth that Sony Interactive Entertainment has stated, "We've never seen a game be made at such a fast pace."<ref name="fast-pace-development" />
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* Three ''Death Stranding'' Easter eggs can be found in Guerrilla Games' ''{{wp|Horizon Zero Dawn}}'':
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:# [[:File:Stranded Necklace.png|Stranded Necklace]] &ndash; the dog tag-laden necklace worn by Sam in the reveal trailer, described as "Six tarnished metal ingots threaded with a plain wire";
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:# [[:File:Stranded Shackles.png|Stranded Shackles]] &ndash; the cuffs attached to Sam's wrist in the reveal trailer, described as "Shackles made from an unknown, smooth material";
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:# [[:File:Stranded Figure.png|Stranded Figure]] &ndash; the infant doll found in the TGA 2016 teaser trailer, described as "A battered idol of an infant, smelling faintly of decay".
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* In early October 2016, Kojima took the development team of ''Death Stranding'' to visit the Meguro Parasitological Museum, with the purpose of showing his staff members how fundamental parasites are to the ecosystem.<ref name="museum" />
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== References ==
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{{Reflist|refs=
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<ref name="cryptic-details">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/15/e3-2016-more-cryptic-death-stranding-details-from-kojima|sitename=IGN|text=E3 2016: More Cryptic Death Stranding Details From Kojima}}</ref>
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<ref name="otherworldly">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/death-stranding-is-an-open-world-game-with-online-elements-and-something-from-another-world/|sitename=GamesRadar+|text=Death Stranding is an open world game with online elements and "something from another world"}}</ref>
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<ref name="about-ds">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/heres-what-death-stranding-is-actually-about-according-to-hideo-kojima/|sitename=GamesRadar+|text=Here's what Death Stranding is actually about, according to Hideo Kojima}}</ref>
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<ref name="death-new-meaning">{{cite tweet|screenname=KojiPro2015_EN|status=743469347092389888|text=Part 4 of 9. Some of the new concepts for the game.|screenshot=}}</ref>
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<ref name="stick-and-rope">{{cite tweet|screenname=KojiPro2015_EN|status=743470692008497152|text=Part 8 of 9, how Kobo Abe's sticks and ropes are keywords.|screenshot=}}</ref>
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<ref name="genre-defying">{{cite tweet|screenname=KojiPro2015_EN|status=743470982254321664|text=Part 9 of 9. When asked about what genre is the game.|screenshot=}}</ref>
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<ref name="tgs-2016">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/09/18/death-stranding-will-be-out-before-2019-may-feature-heroine|sitename=IGN|text=Death Stranding Will Be Out Before 2019, May Feature Heroine}}</ref>
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<ref name="best-work">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a801163/hideo-kojima-confident-death-stranding-will-be-his-best-work/|sitename=Digital Spy|text=Hideo Kojima confident Death Stranding will be his "best work"}}</ref>
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<ref name="museum">{{cite tweet|screenname=HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN|status=782550264548962305|text=2/3 Today virus's the one to get all interests but I wanted to tell my staff the parasites is deeply involved in the coar of our ecosystems.|screenshot=}}</ref>
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<ref name="engine-info">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/heres-everything-we-know-about-death-strandings-guerrilla-games-produced-decima-engine/|sitename=GamesRadar+|text=Here's everything we know about Death Stranding's Guerrilla Games produced Decima engine}}</ref>
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<ref name="kojima-explains">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/12/11/kojima-explains-death-stranding-gameplay-and-lore|sitename=IGN|text=Kojima Explains Death Stranding Gameplay and Lore}}</ref>
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<ref name="fast-pace-development">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2017/12/26/hideo-kojima-koei-tecmo-falcom-level-5-aquaplus-talk-future-projects-plans/|sitename=Siliconera|text=Hideo Kojima, Koei Tecmo, Falcom, Level-5, And Aquaplus Talk Future Projects And Plans}}</ref>
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<ref name="yt-desc">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP3UngLFou4|sitename=YouTube|text=PlayStation's YouTube video description for the E3 2018 teaser trailer}}</ref>
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<ref name="teaser-unplayable">{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/15/11948540/death-stranding-teaser-playable-hideo-kojima|sitename=Polygon|text=Death Stranding's teaser probably won't be playable, Hideo Kojima says}}</ref>
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<ref name="dan-fogler-podcast">{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/DeathStranding/comments/a3ptio/dan_foglers_podcast_with_norman_reedus_interview/eb8oji3/|sitename=Reddit|text=Dan Fogler's podcast with Norman Reedus}}</ref>
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<ref name="hk-tape-tweet">{{cite tweet|screenname=HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN|status=1012301654232715264|text=This tape’s so called Damage Censor Tape [sic] uses for Sam’s case in DEATH STRANDING. [...]|screenshot=}}</ref>
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<ref name="new-cast-details">{{cite web|url=https://www.dualshockers.com/death-stranding-hideo-kojima-japanese-cast-new-details/|sitename=DualShockers|text=Death Stranding — Here Are All the New Details Shared by Hideo Kojima and by the Japanese Cast [UPDATED]}}</ref>
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<ref name="strands-decima-guerrilla">{{cite web|url=https://blog.us.playstation.com/2017/02/23/the-hideo-kojima-death-stranding-interview-strands-decima-and-guerrilla-games/|sitename=PlayStation.Blog|text=The Hideo Kojima Death Stranding interview: Strands, Decima and Guerrilla Games}}</ref>
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<ref name="behind-schedule">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/06/death-stranding-is-a-little-behind-schedule-says-kojima|sitename=IGN|text=Death Stranding Is A Little Behind Schedule, Says Kojima}}</ref>
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<ref name="vogt-roberts">{{cite tweet|screenname=VogtRoberts|status=1093211698545053696|text=So @HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN let me play DEATH STRANDING! The world is next-level immaculate. It's like freebasing pure Kojima & Shinkawa. Remember when FURY ROAD blew you away but also made you (in the best-most-thankful way) ask "wtf" how does this miracle exist? YOU. ARE. NOT. READY!|screenshot=}}</ref>
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<ref name="private-demo">{{cite tweet|screenname=akisaitokojipro|status=1085585914158505984|text=Showed the first 2 hours of gameplay to our Guerrilla brothers. Yes, Hideo was demonstrating it! (The game is not fully completed...yet) The picture show’s the friendship between us! Keeps our mutual secrets here!|screenshot=}}</ref>
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<ref name="now-live">{{cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/DeathStranding/comments/b6pdle/now_live_for_preorder/|sitename=Reddit|text=Now live for pre-order}}</ref>
  +
  +
<ref name="julian-gerighty">{{cite tweet|screenname=jgerighty|status=1104686765829443590|text=Over the course of making #TheDivision2 we did many many awesome things and received support from many other developers. Hugely thankful to @Kojima_Hideo for having welcomed us to his gorgeous studio and shown us his mind blowing game. Trust me, #DeathStranding will be timeless.|screenshot=}}</ref>
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  +
<ref name="iain-cook">{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/03/31/death-stranding-ps4-iain-cook/|sitename=Comic Book|text='Death Stranding' "Is Unlike Anything I Have Seen Anyone Else Do"}}</ref>
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<ref name="sam-lake">{{cite tweet|screenname=SamLakeRMD|status=1085930998074880002|text=With @HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN @Kojima_Hideo. He is an inspiration. #DeathStranding dares to push the boundaries. It’s wonderful to be able to compare notes. Happy and honored to call him a friend. @remedygames @ControlRemedy|screenshot=}}</ref>
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}}
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== External links ==
  +
* [http://www.kojimaproductions.jp/en/death_stranding.html Official webpage]
  ⚫
[[Category:Meta]]

Revision as of 20:50, 4 April 2019

Once, there was an explosion. A bang which gave birth to time and space.
Once, there was an explosion. A bang which set a planet spinning in that space.
Once, there was an explosion. A bang which gave rise to life as we know it.
And then, came the next explosion. An explosion that will be our last.
– Sam

Death Stranding is an action video game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment exclusively for the PlayStation 4. It is directed by Hideo Kojima – the first game he and his reformed studio have worked on since the disbandment of Kojima Productions as a Konami subsidiary in July 2015. The game was officially announced during Sony's E3 2016 press conference.

Though the game's official release date is currently unannounced, several release windows have been given throughout its development. Kojima has stated that, "[Death Stranding] will be out before the Olympics", referencing the Tokyo 2020 Games. Additionally, in 2016, he stated that "there is a movie called Akira, and [Death Stranding] will be out before the year in which Akira is set", with that year being 2019.[1] During the TGS 2018 stage panel, Kojima mentioned that the game is still on track to release when planned, which is the year 2019 in which Akira is set. In a podcast with Dan Fogler, Norman Reedus corroborated an early 2019 release.[2] In March 2019, Kojima revealed that "Death Stranding is very slightly behind our initial plan, but not behind by much."[3]

In late March, Death Stranding became available for pre-order.[4]

Synopsis

Plot

Little has been revealed regarding the story of Death Stranding thus far. One crucial plot point will be the stranding of something otherworldly into the world.[5]

In the TGA 2017 teaser trailer, it is mentioned that a series of explosions have given rise to all of known existence, and that a fourth, final explosion is impending.

An official synopsis from PlayStation's YouTube video description for the E3 2018 teaser trailer:[6]

Besieged by death's tide at every turn, Sam Bridges must brave a world utterly transformed by the Death Stranding. Carrying the stranded remnants of the future in his hands, Sam embarks on a journey to reunite the shattered world one step at a time. What is the mystery of the Death Stranding? What will Sam discover on the road ahead? A genre defining gameplay experience holds these answers and more.

Characters and cast

Character EN voice JP voice Mo-cap
Sam Norman Reedus Kenjiro Tsuda Norman Reedus
"Mysterious Soldier" Mads Mikkelsen TBA Mads Mikkelsen
Unidentified Bridges affiliate TBA Akihiko Ishizumi Guillermo del Toro (likeness)
Unidentified Fragile Express woman Léa Seydoux Nana Mizuki Léa Seydoux
Unidentified red-dressed woman Lindsay Wagner Kikuko Inoue Lindsay Wagner
Unidentified CDT 6 operative 1 Kyle Card TBA Kyle Card
Unidentified CDT 6 operative 2 Claude Patrick TBA Claude Patrick
Unidentified woman Emily O'Brien TBA Emily O'Brien
"Man in the Golden Mask" Troy Baker Satoshi Mikami Troy Baker
"Commander of the Organization" Tommie Earl Jenkins Akio Otsuka Tommie Earl Jenkins

Gameplay

Death Stranding is an open world, action game that is heavily story-driven and single-player focused, while also possessing multiplayer elements.[5] The player has ample freedom of movement, with vehicles available for use, and in how to approach the game, being able to choose whether to progress fighting or through alternative methods. The online component is completely optional and will offer the player a different experience from conventional multiplayer modes.[7]

Sam crossing a crevasse

Sam crossing a crevasse while carrying a heavy load of cases

As the deliveryman Sam, players traverse the world of Death Stranding while transporting a manner of things, sometimes even individuals. Carried cases are wrapped in damage sensor tape; the color of the tape changes according to the integrity level of wrapped cases.[8] The number of cases Sam can carry varies, from a single back load to two handfuls, two shoulder loads and a stacked back load. Sam has several tools at his disposal to overcome environmental obstacles in the world, including a rope for climbing and descending high rock faces and a ladder for crossing large open gaps.

An unidentified baby plays an integral role in the game, and in conjunction with a shoulder-mounted mechanical arm, provides the player a means of detecting mysterious entities roaming the world.[9] Using stealth, the player can circumvent the mysterious entities. Should the player be detected and eaten by mysterious entities, they will trigger a voidout and leave a persistent crater at the site of their demise.

Hideo Kojima took an unconventional approach to the concepts of life and death in Death Stranding, and stated that "'death' is about to have a new meaning".[10] In Death Stranding, death does not mean a conventional "Game over", instead being analogous to a "Continue?" screen, never truly pulling players out of the game. When the player dies, they are transported outside Sam's body into an "upside down" world, where they are free to explore and recover lost items. Furthermore, player-determined changes to the game world will be persistent, remaining present even after player deaths.[9]

Presentation

Kojima return E3 2016

"Hello, everyone. I'm back!"

Hideo Kojima formally revealed Death Stranding at Sony's E3 2016 conference, through a reveal trailer featuring the then-unidentified lead character Sam, portrayed by Norman Reedus. At TGA 2016, Kojima Productions revealed a teaser trailer featuring a character portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen and another bearing the likeness of Guillermo del Toro. At TGA 2017, Kojima revealed a second teaser trailer, which provided a more expansive look at the game's unique world and story.

At E3 2018, an extensive teaser trailer premiering gameplay and incorporating "Asylums for the Feeling" by Silent Poets (feat. Leila Adu) was released, featuring two new key female characters portrayed by Léa Seydoux and Lindsay Wagner. Later that year at TGS 2018, it was revealed that Tommie Earl Jenkins would portray a key character in the game, and that Akio Ōtsuka, Kikuko Inoue, Nana Mizuki and Satoshi Mikami – Metal Gear series veterans – along with Kenjiro Tsuda, had joined the game's Japanese voice cast.[11]

Development

Kojima del Toro and Reedus TGA 2017

Death Stranding marks the second collaboration between Hideo Kojima, Guillermo del Toro, and Norman Reedus

The development of Death Stranding began following Kojima Productions' reformation in December 2015. The game entered full development in 2017. Kojima revealed that in previous games he has worked on, he had to make compromises to bring them to fruition. With Death Stranding, however, he stated that the need for compromise is no longer present, and is confident that the game will be "something completely new that no-one has seen so far", as well as his best creative work yet.[12] Kojima was aware of the belief that he was deliberately proceeding too slowly in the game's development, and revealed that was not the case.[9]

It has been suggested that Death Stranding does not solely into one specific gaming genre.[13] Its genre-defying nature has been described in a similar vein to that of Metal Gear: In its infancy, Metal Gear was initially considered to be merely an action game, as the stealth genre was not thought to exist at the time; it would go on to be perceived as something more specific and unique due to its novel stealth elements, ultimately ushering in the stealth genre of video games.[14]

Concept

Connected personnel

A rope connecting, from left to right, Guillermo del Toro, Norman Reedus, Hideo Kojima and Mads Mikkelsen

According to Kojima, most action games consist of players communicating with the equivalents of "sticks" – swords, guns, punches, kicks and other avenues of physical communication – with the "stick" metaphorically being humanity's first invention. Kojima aims to "tie people together" by utilizing humanity's second invention: the "rope". With "ropes", a primary focus of the gameplay will be building connections, or more precisely, what are called "strands" in psychology – the way people are connected.[14][15] Despite there being an increased emphasis on "ropes", "sticks" will still be utilized in the game as well, in conjunction with "ropes".[16]

Engine

Further information: Decima

After a worldwide tour of video game studios, and with the technical advisement of Mark Cerny, Kojima narrowed down two game engines for Death Stranding, one of which was used to create the game's E3 2016 teaser trailer.[17] Kojima ultimately chose Guerrilla Games' in-house Decima engine after being sent a box containing the engine's source code, which "made [him] very happy". Additionally, Kojima set up a small satellite studio at Guerrilla Games, in order to work in close liaison with the Dutch studio to improve the engine.[18]

Music

The official soundtrack of Death Stranding is composed by Ludvig Forssell, who previously worked with Kojima on Metal Gear Solid V.

The first two trailers for Death Stranding used songs produced by the Icelandic band Low Roar: "I'll Keep Coming" in the reveal trailer and "Easy Way Out" in the TGA 2016 teaser trailer. In February 2017, a limited edition 12" single containing the aforementioned two songs was published by Mondo Records, in conjunction with Kojima Productions. This was the first piece of merchandise released for Death Stranding. At E3 2018, the revealed teaser trailer used Silent Poets' "Asylum for the Feeling" as a background song.

Reception

Prerelease

In early 2019, Kojima privately demoed the first two hours of an early version of the game to Guerrilla Games[19] and Metal Gear Solid movie director Jordan Vogt-Roberts. This early showing received much excitement and praise from the viewing parties, with Vogt-Roberts describing the game world as "next-level immaculate".[20] Sam Lake of Remedy Entertainment was also shown the game and stated that it "dares to push the boundaries".[21] In March, The Division 2 director Julian Gerighty was shown the game, and was left thinking it was "mind-blowing" and would be "timeless".[22] In April, Iain Cook of the band CHVRCHES was shown the game by Kojima and was likewise left in awe, stating, "Some of the shit he is doing with the new game is unlike anything I have seen anyone else do."[23]

Gallery

Key art

Trailers

Notes

  • A key theme in the game, as well its namesake concept, is cetacean stranding – the phenomenon of cetaceans stranding themselves ashore. The event is more encompassing in Death Stranding than it is in reality, however; several other forms of marine life are seen stranded on a beach alongside cetaceans, including crustaceans and fish.
  • Development of Death Stranding has been so smooth that Sony Interactive Entertainment has stated, "We've never seen a game be made at such a fast pace."[24]
  • Three Death Stranding Easter eggs can be found in Guerrilla Games' Horizon Zero Dawn:
  1. Stranded Necklace – the dog tag-laden necklace worn by Sam in the reveal trailer, described as "Six tarnished metal ingots threaded with a plain wire";
  2. Stranded Shackles – the cuffs attached to Sam's wrist in the reveal trailer, described as "Shackles made from an unknown, smooth material";
  3. Stranded Figure – the infant doll found in the TGA 2016 teaser trailer, described as "A battered idol of an infant, smelling faintly of decay".
  • In early October 2016, Kojima took the development team of Death Stranding to visit the Meguro Parasitological Museum, with the purpose of showing his staff members how fundamental parasites are to the ecosystem.[25]

References

  1. ^ IGN – "Death Stranding Will Be Out Before 2019, May Feature Heroine"
  2. ^ Reddit – "Dan Fogler's podcast with Norman Reedus"
  3. ^ IGN – "Death Stranding Is A Little Behind Schedule, Says Kojima"
  4. ^ Reddit – "Now live for pre-order"
  5. ^ a b GamesRadar+ – "Death Stranding is an open world game with online elements and "something from another world""
  6. ^ YouTube – "PlayStation's YouTube video description for the E3 2018 teaser trailer"
  7. ^ PlayStation.Blog – "The Hideo Kojima Death Stranding interview: Strands, Decima and Guerrilla Games"
  8. ^ Twitter · @HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN – "This tape’s so called Damage Censor Tape [sic] uses for Sam’s case in DEATH STRANDING. [...]" 
  9. ^ a b c IGN – "Kojima Explains Death Stranding Gameplay and Lore"
  10. ^ Twitter · @KojiPro2015_EN – "Part 4 of 9. Some of the new concepts for the game." 
  11. ^ DualShockers – "Death Stranding — Here Are All the New Details Shared by Hideo Kojima and by the Japanese Cast [UPDATED]"
  12. ^ Digital Spy – "Hideo Kojima confident Death Stranding will be his "best work""
  13. ^ Twitter · @KojiPro2015_EN – "Part 9 of 9. When asked about what genre is the game." 
  14. ^ a b IGN – "E3 2016: More Cryptic Death Stranding Details From Kojima"
  15. ^ GamesRadar+ – "Here's what Death Stranding is actually about, according to Hideo Kojima"
  16. ^ Twitter · @KojiPro2015_EN – "Part 8 of 9, how Kobo Abe's sticks and ropes are keywords." 
  17. ^ Polygon – "Death Stranding's teaser probably won't be playable, Hideo Kojima says"
  18. ^ GamesRadar+ – "Here's everything we know about Death Stranding's Guerrilla Games produced Decima engine"
  19. ^ Twitter · @akisaitokojipro – "Showed the first 2 hours of gameplay to our Guerrilla brothers. Yes, Hideo was demonstrating it! (The game is not fully completed...yet) The picture show’s the friendship between us! Keeps our mutual secrets here!" 
  20. ^ Twitter · @VogtRoberts – "So @HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN let me play DEATH STRANDING! The world is next-level immaculate. It's like freebasing pure Kojima & Shinkawa. Remember when FURY ROAD blew you away but also made you (in the best-most-thankful way) ask "wtf" how does this miracle exist? YOU. ARE. NOT. READY!" 
  21. ^ Twitter · @SamLakeRMD – "With @HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN @Kojima_Hideo. He is an inspiration. #DeathStranding dares to push the boundaries. It’s wonderful to be able to compare notes. Happy and honored to call him a friend. @remedygames @ControlRemedy" 
  22. ^ Twitter · @jgerighty – "Over the course of making #TheDivision2 we did many many awesome things and received support from many other developers. Hugely thankful to @Kojima_Hideo for having welcomed us to his gorgeous studio and shown us his mind blowing game. Trust me, #DeathStranding will be timeless." 
  23. ^ Comic Book – "'Death Stranding' "Is Unlike Anything I Have Seen Anyone Else Do""
  24. ^ Siliconera – "Hideo Kojima, Koei Tecmo, Falcom, Level-5, And Aquaplus Talk Future Projects And Plans"
  25. ^ Twitter · @HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN – "2/3 Today virus's the one to get all interests but I wanted to tell my staff the parasites is deeply involved in the coar of our ecosystems." 

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