You’d be forgiven for thinking the biggest news on November 7th, 2024 was the release of new console hardware. In reality, 505 Games and Kojima Productions pulled off the surprise of the day by shadow-dropping Death Stranding: Director’s Cut onto Xbox. Yes, you read that correctly, the previous PlayStation exclusive title is now available on Xbox exactly five years after the original release on PS4.
Of course, you will notice that Sony Interactive/PlayStation themselves are not the publisher of Death Stranding on Xbox. Just like the PC port before it, 505 Games is acting as the publisher for this release, but there is a little more reason behind it this time.
Along with this surprise release came the confirmation that Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions have acquired the full rights to the Death Stranding IP. As stated in the official press release
KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS will continue its focus on bringing their award-winning IP, “DEATH STRANDING” to more platforms and audiences. KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS also today confirmed that the studio now has full ownership of the DEATH STRANDING IP.
As someone who loved Death Stranding when it was originally released this whole situation is a massive positive in my opinion. Firstly, more people than ever get the opportunity to play Death Stranding. Secondly, Kojima owning the IP all but guarantees that the upcoming sequel Death Stranding 2: On The Beach set to release on PlayStation 5 in 2025, will release on Xbox and PC at some point in the future. Thirdly, it gives Kojima even more freedom to do interesting things with the IP, especially outside of gaming.
Death Stranding is available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
