The release date for Death Stranding 2 was established “quite a while ago,” with a target set for no later than 2024. Hideo Kojima, the director behind the title, indicated that the timing of its launch was primarily determined by the publisher, Sony. As is customary, it was important for Death Stranding 2 to avoid coinciding with any other significant releases from the same publisher.
The highly anticipated sequel, officially announced in December 2022, secured a firm release date of June 26, 2025. Kojima highlighted the strategic choice of this date, as it would foster engagement while steering clear of the competition. In a recent episode of the Japanese-language KOJI10 podcast, Kojima elaborated that the release date was not solely his decision.
As a PlayStation exclusive, Death Stranding 2 was cautiously positioned in relation to Sony’s other major titles anticipated to launch in 2025. According to Kojima, the timing was solidified “quite a while back.” While he did not provide specific details, it appears Kojima Productions and Sony worked on the timing of the game’s arrival prior to September 2024.
During a developer panel at the Tokyo Games Show, he mentioned “unforeseen circumstances” as a reason for not disclosing the release date sooner. The date was ultimately confirmed in early March 2025, right before pre-orders began. Kojima acknowledged that while the holiday season is typically the most profitable for video games, this period was not an option for Death Stranding 2, especially after Ghost of Yotei was announced for an early October 2025 release.
Although the game will launch as a PS5 exclusive, it is anticipated that it will later be available on PC.