AdvGamer
The release date for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is creeping closer, and the marketing machine behind it is definitely stretching its legs. Over in Japan, employees from Kojima Productions have been handing out free tissue packs to promote the game—and these aren't your average pocket tissues. Each pack reportedly carries a QR code that, when scanned, whisks you away to an unlisted YouTube video on the developer's channel. The clip runs a mere 40 seconds and serves up brand-new footage, but don't get your hopes up too high unless you're a devoted fan of post-apocalyptic environmental ASMR. Honestly, it's just a quiet, arid scene of an open prepper shelter waiting for a brave deliveryman to come pick up some cargo. That's it. No explosions, no dramatic reveals—just a lingering look at the dusty terrain you'll eventually explore. Still, it's a nice little appetizer, and you have to hand it to Kojima's team for turning something as mundane as a tissue pack into a scavenger hunt.
Beyond the tissue-pack trickery, fans can also preorder a special DualSense controller. This sleek black model sports insignia based on the fictional Drawbridge company from the sequel, and it'll set you back $85. A fair price for a piece of Death Stranding history, perhaps. Death Stranding 2 itself launches for PS5 on June 26, and several previews recently went live. The feedback has been mostly positive so far—Dan Ryckert of GameSpot wrote that after playing 30 hours before his preview, he can confidently say the game is excellent and can't wait to do it all again when it releases next month. But game director Hideo Kojima isn't satisfied. The man wants to see a few "controversial" opinions about the sequel. You know how it goes with Kojima—he's never one to rest on his laurels, and he'd rather stir the pot than accept a chorus of unanimous praise. That perfectionist streak refuses to sit still, and it's part of what makes his games so fascinating to watch.
So what does this all mean for the average player? The tissue packs are a cute, localized stunt that probably won't reach Western shores, but they signal that Kojima Productions is ramping up its promotional efforts in creative ways. The unlisted video, brief as it is, reminds us that the game's world will lean even harder into desolate, atmospheric environments—perfect for those who enjoy a bit of quiet contemplation between deliveries. Meanwhile, the special controller gives collectors something tangible to grab before launch. And Kojima's call for controversial takes? That's just classic Kojima. He thrives on friction and debate, and he knows that a game as divisive as Death Stranding was always going to attract strong reactions. By inviting pushback, he's essentially saying: "Don't just nod along—tell me what you really think." It's a bold move, but then again, subtlety has never been his strong suit.
As June 26 inches closer, expect the marketing to get even weirder. Maybe we'll see QR codes on coffee cups next, or a cryptic ARG hidden in a convenience store. For now, fans can chew on that 40-second shelter clip and speculate about what else awaits. The arid landscapes, the Drawbridge branding, the promise of another emotional rollercoaster—it's all coming together. And if Kojima gets his wish, the conversation around Death Stranding 2 will be anything but boring. After all, what's a blockbuster release without a little controversy? The man himself wouldn't have it any other way. So keep your eyes peeled for those tissue packs—they might just hold the next big clue. Or, you know, they might just be tissues. Either way, the hype train is officially rolling.