Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Golden Joystick Awards 2026
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • Game of the Week
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • RPG Hub
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Best gaming tech
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Action Games
  3. Death Stranding 2

"I'm so glad we never gave up on making this game": Death Stranding 2 director Hideo Kojima celebrates his latest hit's launch with its stars, says "I won't let go again"

News
By Catherine Lewis
Published 1 July 2025

"I will treasure these connections and keep pushing forward"

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Death Stranding 2 screenshot
(Image credit: Kojima Productions)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Hideo Kojima has been celebrating the launch of his new hit Death Stranding 2, and says he's "so glad" that he and the team at Kojima Productions "never gave up" on making it.

Back at the game's actual release last week, Kojima noted that "during the pandemic, there were moments when I truly felt like we might never finish this game," adding that "to have made it to this day is overwhelming." Now, taking to Twitter following his appearance at the Death Stranding World Strand Tour 2 in London yesterday, he's been very open about how much the night itself and the game mean to him.

"It was a truly special night in my life. I'll never forget what happened today," Kojima begins, going on to thank special guests Norman Reedus and Léa Seydoux, as well as Caroline Polachek, Geoff Keighley, and Chvrches (who all appeared at the event), in addition to his friends and fans. "I will treasure these connections and keep pushing forward. There may be all kinds of things waiting in the future, but I hope to face them by remembering this very day," he adds.

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

Continuing, he says: "We all came together to reconnect the 'strands' that were once severed by the pandemic. I'm so glad we never gave up on making this game. I won't let go again. Thank you."

We all came together to reconnect the “strands” that were once severed by the pandemic. I’m so glad we never gave up on making this game. I won’t let go again. Thank you. 🙏🫶👍😍🙇🏻🎮🎬 https://t.co/QGX12yOsxS pic.twitter.com/Hy3VJfpE82July 1, 2025

During the evening, Kojima also spoke about Death Stranding 2's excellent reviews, and although he previously expressed concerns about making the game too likeable, he's clearly not actually upset with the glowing praise it's now received. He states: "I'm happy with the scores, thank you."

You may like
  • Hideo Kojima in a screenshot from the Xbox and Bethesda 2022 showcase. As Hideo Kojima turns 63, the Metal Gear Solid creator says "I would like to remain focused on creating games"
  • Hideo Kojima waving near a Sam Porter Bridges statue Hideo Kojima isn't planning to blast off to space yet, so he'll "keep on making games" for now
  • lea seydoux as fragile smoking a cigarette Death Stranding games broke even "but not by much," which may explain why Sony axed Physint

However, he "was so bummed" that the game's Easter eggs were so quickly shared around on social media, but he does take some responsibility for that. "I'm retweeting all these things, so the blame is on me."

If you've not started Kojima's latest hit yet, be sure to take a look at our Death Stranding 2 review. Meanwhile, if you're already finished, you can check out our guide to Death Stranding 2's ending explained.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
TOPICS
Hideo Kojima
CATEGORIES
PS5 Platforms PlayStation
Catherine Lewis
Catherine Lewis
Social Links Navigation
Deputy News Editor

I'm GamesRadar+'s Deputy News Editor, working alongside the rest of the news team to deliver cool gaming stories that we love. After spending more hours than I can count filling The University of Sheffield's student newspaper with Pokemon and indie game content, and picking up a degree in Journalism Studies, I started my career at GAMINGbible where I worked as a journalist for over a year and a half. I then became TechRadar Gaming's news writer, where I sourced stories and wrote about all sorts of intriguing topics. In my spare time, you're sure to find me on my Nintendo Switch or PS5 playing through story-driven RPGs like Xenoblade Chronicles and Persona 5 Royal, nuzlocking old Pokemon games, or going for a Victory Royale in Fortnite.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Hideo Kojima in a screenshot from the Xbox and Bethesda 2022 showcase.
Metal Gear As Hideo Kojima turns 63, the Metal Gear Solid creator says "I would like to remain focused on creating games"
 
 
Hideo Kojima waving near a Sam Porter Bridges statue
Metal Gear Hideo Kojima isn't planning to blast off to space yet, so he'll "keep on making games" for now
 
 
lea seydoux as fragile smoking a cigarette
Action Games Death Stranding games broke even "but not by much," which may explain why Sony axed Physint
 
 
A photo showing a smiling Hideo Kojima standing in front of a Kojima Productions logo following the Physint reveal
Action Games Hideo Kojima didn't think Physint would be canceled as it's "the biggest selling" game he could make
 
 
The Last House
Horror Movies Our favorite film critic Hideo Kojima compares Netflix's new panned horror movie to Death Stranding
 
 
Hideo Kojima seen in Xbox's 2026 Tokyo Game Show broadcast.
Action Games Hideo Kojima says Xbox had "never seen" anything like Physint
 
 
Latest in Action Games
Villagers raise weapons under a rainy sky
Action Games Baldur's Gate 3 star Jennifer English joins Ghostrunner devs' new first-person Soulslike cast
 
 
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto GTA 6's weather is completely re-done from Red Dead Redemption 2, has hurricanes, rainbows and more
 
 
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto GTA 6 influencers sent mysterious merch that sure looks better than those $400 Collector's Boxes
 
 
Lucia and Jason stand together in the street, from the GTA 6 extended look
Grand Theft Auto Police arrest "one of the alleged leaders" behind Rockstar hack that revealed how much money GTA Online makes
 
 
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto Rockstar flashes its wallet, says GTA 6 doesn't compromise on detail or scale
 
 
GTA 6
Grand Theft Auto GTA 6 devs spent years "going to strip clubs" and the beach to research Florida life
 
 
Latest in News
Christopher Abbott in Piercing
Marvel Movies MCU X-Men actor says D23 casting reveal was a "nightmare" because people "didn't know who I was"
 
 
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma speaks on stage
Games "Xbox is not for sale," says CEO despite rumors: "We will do whatever it takes"
 
 
Rumi with a glowing eye and a broken web effect behind her, out of which climb demonic creatures in artwork from MTG KPop Demon Hunters
Tabletop Gaming MTG gets KPop Demon Hunters cards, and they're drop-dead gorgeous
 
 
Resident Evil Veronica trailer screenshot
Resident Evil Resident Evil remakes are building to a "crossover" with the new games, producer says
 
 
Dune: Awakening
Survival Games Dune Awakening boss says Denis Villeneuve feared the name "could be a little too close to Star Wars"
 
 
A screenshot of Jordan drinking a soda during the reveal trailer for Intergalactic: The Hertic Prophet.
Adventure Games Intergalactic The Heretic Prophet is "testing the bounds" of Naughty Dog, teases The Last of Us star
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma speaks on stage
    1
    "Xbox is not for sale," says CEO despite rumors: "We will do whatever it takes to set the company up for success"
  2. 2
    MTG gets KPop Demon Hunters cards, and they're drop-dead gorgeous
  3. 3
    Resident Evil remakes are building to a "crossover" with the new games, producer says
  4. 4
    Dune Awakening boss reveals movie director Denis Villeneuve once feared the survival game's name "could be a little too close to Star Wars"
  5. 5
    Blizzard is already cracking down on real-money trading in World of Warcraft Forever as devs take $200 worth of gold from alleged rule-breaker: "They left me with 9 silver"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...