An insightful update from visionary game designer Hideo Kojima has drawn attention within the gaming community, confirming that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is 95 percent complete, though its release has been impacted by the shifting landscape around Grand Theft Auto VI. The update comes courtesy of Genki_JPN, who shared insights from Kojima’s latest appearance on his TBS podcast, A Hideo Kojima Radio. Recorded in mid-April, the podcast sheds light on the meticulous final stages of development for the highly anticipated sequel, even as industry dynamics evolve.
Kojima, renowned for his cinematic approach to game design, detailed the current state of Death Stranding 2, revealing that the team is in the midst of a rigorous bug-fixing phase. “He says the game remains at 95% complete at the time of recording (mid-April) as a lot of minor bugs popped up so they are still in the final bug fixing stage,” Genki translated. The developer has already submitted an initial version of the game for bug checks, indicating that the project is tantalizingly close to completion. However, Kojima acknowledged the challenges of crafting an open-world experience, noting that while the remaining bugs are not game-breaking—such as floating grass or minor visual glitches—achieving a flawless release remains a difficult target.
The creative mind behind Death Stranding and the Metal Gear Solid series expressed his ambition to deliver a polished product, stating that the team hopes to wrap up development by the podcast’s release date of May 5th. “Wants to make a game with no bugs, but as it is an open-world game having some minor bugs can't be helped,” Genki reported, highlighting Kojima’s dedication to quality despite the inevitable imperfections of such a vast digital landscape.
Adding a layer of intrigue, Kojima addressed the influence of GTA 6’s release schedule. “Some are saying GTA may or may not release in November,” Kojima said in a podcast recorded before GTA 6’s delay to May was announced, as translated by Genki on X. “As soon as it would be announced for November, everyone would move out of they way. For instance, if a new Mission Impossible movie were to release in May, others wouldn't be able to compete with that so would move somewhere else.” This candid admission underscores the industry’s tendency to orbit around Rockstar Games’ juggernaut, and with GTA 6’s delay to May 2025, it appears Death Stranding 2’s timeline has indeed been adjusted to navigate this seismic shift.
Despite the initial plan for a release date set long ago, the GTA 6 delay has forced Kojima Productions to recalibrate. With Death Stranding 2 now poised for a launch on June 26, 2025—coinciding with its official release date as reported in recent updates—the team’s focus on ironing out the last details reflects a commitment to delivering an experience worthy of the Death Stranding legacy, even amidst these adjustments.
As the gaming community watches with anticipation, just hours away from the game’s early access launch on June 24, 2025, at 12:00 AM EDT, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach stands as a testament to Kojima’s unwavering vision. With the game teetering on the edge of completion, all eyes are on Kojima Productions to see how this ambitious sequel will carve its own path in a year dominated by industry titans.
