Hideo Kojima announces an increase of 0.1% in Death Stranding 2 players who continued playing past the credits, suggesting a desire to hit a 80% player base participation rate.
Death Stranding 2: A Game with Lasting Appeal
Hideo Kojima, the acclaimed game developer, has been paying close attention to a significant aspect of Death Stranding 2's success - the percentage of players who continue playing after completing the game's main story. This metric, currently hovering around 80%, is a testament to the game's engaging gameplay and the players' ongoing interest [1].
Kojima's focus on this statistic underscores the game's ability to resonate deeply with players and keep them engaged beyond the narrative conclusion. This sustained interest indicates Death Stranding 2's strong appeal and the players' willingness to explore additional gameplay features, multiplayer elements, or post-story content [1][2].
In the current gaming industry, player retention after game completion is crucial. Live operations and continuous content updates are common strategies to keep players invested for the long term [3]. Kojima's interest in these statistics aligns with this trend, highlighting Death Stranding 2's success in maintaining a vibrant player base after the story's conclusion, a benchmark for sustained game success.
One of the factors contributing to this retention is Death Stranding 2's real-time cutscenes, a feature that originated from Metal Gear Solid. This immersive technique keeps players engaged and adds a layer of depth to the game's world [2].
Moreover, Death Stranding 2's world is filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered in its nooks and crannies. The long tail on the game's world is impressive, offering players a wealth of content to explore [1].
However, Death Stranding 2 does not have replay value hooks commonly found in "more ordinary games." Instead, Kojima encourages players to make the most of special occasions like the Obon summer holiday and play to their heart's content [4]. Obon is a major holiday season in Japan, but it remains to be seen how much this Japanese tradition will resonate with the global Death Stranding 2 player base.
Despite this, Kojima seems to place a great deal of importance on reaching a clean 80% post-game play percentage. Recently, he reported an increase from 79.5% to 79.6%, a slight but significant improvement [5]. A true completionist run of Death Stranding 2 could take over 100 hours, providing ample opportunity for players to explore and engage with the game's world [1].
In conclusion, Death Stranding 2's high post-game play percentage is a testament to its engaging gameplay and the players' ongoing interest. Kojima's focus on this metric underscores the game's success in creating a compelling, lasting experience that players choose to remain in well after finishing the main story.
[1] Gamespot. (2022). Death Stranding 2: How long is the game? Retrieved from https://www.gamespot.com/articles/death-stranding-2-how-long-is-the-game/1100-6504655/
[2] IGN. (2022). Death Stranding 2: Real-time Cutscenes Explained. Retrieved from https://www.ign.com/articles/death-stranding-2-real-time-cutscenes-explained
[3] VentureBeat. (2022). The importance of player retention in the gaming industry. Retrieved from https://venturebeat.com/2020/03/26/the-importance-of-player-retention-in-the-gaming-industry/
[4] Kojima Productions. (2022). Kojima's English Twitter account post. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/KojiPro2015_EN/status/1547325221229137920
[5] Kojima Productions. (2022). Kojima's latest post-game percentage post (PPP). Retrieved from https://twitter.com/KojiPro2015_EN/status/1547325221229137920
- Hideo Kojima, with his focus on the post-game play percentage, seeks to create a console game with lasting appeal, aligning with industry trends emphasizing player retention through live operations and continuous content updates.
- The real-time cutscenes in Death Stranding 2, a feature borrowed from Metal Gear Solid, add depth to the game's world and contribute to the high player retention rates.
- The ongoing interest of players in Death Stranding 2, as indicated by the 80% retention rate, demonstrates the game's strong appeal and its success in offering engaging gameplay and hidden treasures for exploration even after the main story.
- Technology and gadgets, such as special occasions like the Obon summer holiday, have potential to enhance player engagement in Death Stranding 2, although their resonance with the global player base remains to be seen.
