In a notable development within the gaming industry, the anticipated transition of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach to PC appears to be on the horizon. This potential move signifies one of the swiftest shifts for a first-party PlayStation exclusive, a trend that could reshape expectations for future releases.
ESRB Leak Sparks Speculation
The Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) may have inadvertently revealed the imminent PC launch for Kojima Productions’ latest title. A listing, which has since been removed, mirrored the entry for the PS5 version, suggesting that players should not expect additional content akin to the Death Stranding: Director’s Cut released in 2021.
As the gaming community eagerly anticipates The Game Awards in just a few weeks, the possibility of a surprise announcement for Death Stranding 2 during the event is tantalizing. With Geoff Keighley, the showrunner, and series creator Hideo Kojima sharing a close rapport, such a blockbuster reveal would align perfectly with the event’s penchant for generating viral moments.
Even if the game does not debut during the awards show, its early appearance on the ESRB list is noteworthy. Traditionally, PlayStation has been cautious about porting its titles to PC, often waiting several years before making its most popular games available on platforms like Steam. For instance, Spider-Man 2 is not expected to arrive on PC until January 2025.
This shift in strategy suggests that PlayStation is beginning to embrace a broader industry trend, where cross-releasing previously platform-exclusive titles on PC allows for a wider audience reach. Notably, when PlayStation released a game simultaneously on both PS5 and PC, it achieved record-breaking profits, indicating a lucrative opportunity for the company.
Should Death Stranding 2 indeed make its way to PC, it raises questions about its potential release on Xbox. The original title took five years to reach Xbox, but with the narrowing of PC exclusivity, it is plausible that Xbox players might not have to endure a similar wait for Kojima’s acclaimed sequel.
Recognized as one of the year’s standout games, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach has garnered seven nominations at this year’s Game Awards and has received high praise from critics, including a 9 from Inverse, which lauded it as “more cohesive, refined, and fully developed than the first.”
