Sun Mar 09 21:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Gets June Release Date, New Trailer Unveiled at SXSW
**Austin, TX** – Hideo Kojima brought the highly anticipated Death Stranding 2: On the Beach to the South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025 gaming panel, unveiling a new trailer and announcing a June 26th release date. Pre-orders begin March 17th.
The panel featured Kojima alongside Norman Reedus (Sam Porter Bridges), Troy Baker (Higgs Monaghan), and musician Woodkid. The new trailer showcased Italian actor Luca Marinelli in a role reminiscent of Solid Snake, fulfilling Kojima’s previous desire to cast Marinelli in a Snake-inspired film. A collector’s edition, featuring a statue combining a giant CA body and Fragile’s ship as a head, was also announced.
Kojima explained the game’s core theme: “We shouldn’t have connected,” a message inspired by the 2020 pandemic, exploring the negative consequences of hyper-connectivity. While maintaining the narrative focus of the first game (set eleven months later), Reedus confirmed a more action-oriented sequel. Baker promised a significantly improved Higgs Monaghan, hinting at over-the-top moments true to Kojima’s style.
Death Stranding 2 retains its delivery-based gameplay but offers more choice in combat encounters – players can engage in action, utilize stealth, or avoid conflict entirely. The game builds upon the first’s themes of connection, this time exploring the darker side of that connection.
First Piper 