Kojima Admits Death Stranding 2 Release Window Affected by GTA VI

For many, GTA VI was the most anticipated game of 2025 before its release date was officially pushed back to 2026. However, the opposite is true for developers and publishers planning to launch their games around the same window; there is no bigger nightmare. Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions are part of the crowd, especially with Death Stranding 2: On the Beach set to launch in June.

This revelation came from Hideo Kojima himself during his latest radio broadcast Hideo Kojima Radio, and translated by @Genki_JPN. The creator admitted that many publishers are striving to avoid the release window of the juggernaut that is GTA VI. He further drew a parallel with the movie industry, noting how blockbuster films like Mission: Impossible can have a similar effect on competing releases.

Hideo Kojima says when publishers decide the release date for games like Death Stranding 2 they try avoid big sellers like Grand Theft Auto VI! via @koji10_tbs

"For example some are saying GTA may or may not release in November. As soon as it would be announced for November,… pic.twitter.com/RxQfcXaXRV
— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) May 7, 2025

Despite also being one of the bigger titles of the year, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is not immune to this situation. Kojima confessed that he had actually set out a fixed release date for Death Stranding 2 quite some time ago, initially planning for a launch in September 2025. In reality, it has been moved up three months to June.

However, Kojima emphasised that the decision to choose the new release date — which is notably earlier than the original September 2025 target — was not entirely his own. He clarified that it was also a decision influenced by the publisher, in this case, Sony, which, of course, considered various factors before finalising the new date.

Nevertheless, it means that players will have plenty of time to enjoy Death Stranding 2 and all of its secrets and discoveries before even thinking about GTA VI. With the story of Sam Bridges and everyone associated with him moving to new pastures, it remains to be seen just how Kojima is changing the game once more with this sequel.