By Sagar V. Mankar Kojima Productions has recently achieved two major milestones with its popular game, Death Stranding. The studio has not only gained complete ownership of the Death Stranding intellectual property from publisher 505 Games but has also launched the game on Xbox Series X and S platforms for the first time. This move not only marks a new chapter for the game but also coincides with its fifth anniversary, offering players a chance to rediscover or experience the game in a fresh light.
Originally launched in 2019 as a PlayStation 4 exclusive, Death Stranding quickly captivated players with its unique storyline and gameplay. The game was later made available to PC players in 2020, followed by the enhanced Director’s Cut edition in 2022, which brought improved features and additional content. Now, Xbox players can finally experience this unique adventure, with the added bonus of a 50% launch discount to celebrate its arrival.
The timing of this Xbox release suggests the end of Sony’s console exclusivity agreement, opening new possibilities for the franchise’s future. Hideo Kojima, the creative force behind the game, expressed his excitement about reaching Xbox players, stating his commitment to “connect more and more players around the world.”
For those unfamiliar with the game, Death Stranding places players in a post-apocalyptic America where the boundary between life and death has blurred. Players step into the shoes of Sam Bridges, a porter tasked with reconnecting isolated communities in a world where supernatural phenomena have torn society apart. The Director’s Cut enhances the original experience with new features, including:
- A new explorable location called the ‘Ruined Factory’
- Advanced delivery tools like cargo catapults and stabilizers
- Enhanced combat mechanics featuring new moves and weapons
- A practice firing range for weapon testing
- A competitive racetrack for time trials against other online players
- Buddy Bots that help with traversal across difficult terrain
This ownership transition follows a similar pattern to Remedy Entertainment’s recent $18.4 million deal with 505 Games for the Control franchise. Such moves reflect a growing trend of developers securing full rights to their creative works.
Looking ahead, Death Stranding’s future appears bright and busy. A sequel titled “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach” is scheduled for a PlayStation 5 release in 2025, while a movie adaptation is in development with A24, the studio behind critically acclaimed films like “Midsommar” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Additionally, Kojima Productions is expanding its creative horizons with two other major projects: “OD” for Xbox Game Studios and “Physint” for Sony Interactive Entertainment. While Death Stranding 2 remains a PS5 exclusive for now, the studio’s new ownership of the IP and commitment to broader platform availability suggests exciting possibilities for the franchise’s future.