Hideo Kojima, the mind behind Death Stranding, Metal Gear Solid, and founder of Kojima Productions, is set to appear at the New Global Sport Conference 2025 (NGSC), where he will share an exclusive look into the development of this year’s Game of the Year contender, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The event will take place on August 24 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh during the final weekend of the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC).
Kojima’s appearance is part of the Death Stranding World Strand Tour 2, a global promotional campaign celebrating the sequel’s major success. Kojima and his team have previously traveled to Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, London, Paris, Tokyo, Sydney, and Los Angeles. Riyadh is next on the list, with Sao Paulo and Lucca to follow.
Kojima’s keynote will be titled “Blurring the Lines Between Games and Cinema,” and it will explore the creative and technical process behind Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. He will dive into the game’s many inspirations, especially how film, literature, and music helped shape its narrative and design. Kojima fans know that his work often draws from directors like Guillermo Del Toro and George Miller, both of whom are present in the Death Stranding universe.
Kojima won’t be the only one taking the stage. He’ll be joined by Drive and Neon Demon director Nicolas Winding Refn, who portrayed the character Heartman in both Death Stranding titles.
He’ll also take part in several fan-facing events at the EWC Festival’s Publisher Park, including a Death Stranding cosplay contest and a special meet-and-greet session.
“There is perhaps no one who has had a more profound impact on our industry. His creative vision continues to shape not only gaming, but also the broader worlds of art, film, and pop culture,” said Hans Jagnow, Director of NGSC 2025.
NGSC 2025 will run from August 23 to 24 and will bring together leaders from the interactive entertainment, sports, and technology sectors. Kojima is a perfect fit for the event, with his unique influence on gaming through interactive storytelling and unconventional cinematic direction. This year’s speaker lineup also includes representatives from Sony, SEGA, Activision, Bandai Namco, and the LA28 Olympic Games.
Tickets for NGSC 2025 are now available at newglobalsportconference.com.
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