Was Death Stranding 2 reworked because playtesters liked it too much? Composer Woodkid speaks out
Yoann
'Woodkid' Lemonine is a French composer who's worn many hats throughout his
career. From being a CGI artist in video games to directing the music videos
for Taylor Swift's Back To December and Katy Perry's Teenage Dream, the man
already had a meaty Resume before being hired by Kojima Productions to work on
the upcoming Death Stranding 2.
When
interviewed by the Rolling Stone magazine, Woodkid was promoting the soundtrack
he'd produced for the game, titled Woodkid for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
He then proceeded to reveal many eye-catching details about the game's
production, notably how director Hideo Kojima actually reworked the game
because playtesters were too uniform in their praise.
Kojima wanted the game to
be more divisive
When asked
whether he had any insights to share about Death Stranding 2's development,
Woodkid revealed that Kojima believed the uniform approval playtesters gave in
their feedback was a problem. As Woodkid put it, Kojima had said:
'I'm going to be very honest, we have
been testing the game with players and the results are too good. They like it
too much. That means something is wrong; we have to change something.'
According to Woodkid, Kojima was very concerned about the
finished game having too much mainstream appeal. Worried that these positive
reactions were actually indicators of an underlying blandness to the narrative,
Kojima actively worked to make the game more polarizing in response. He
believed that if players grew to appreciate the story over a prolonged period
instead of immediately liking what they saw, the game would end up far more
impactful.
Woodkid considers Death Stranding 2 a balancing act
Woodkid has called Death Stranding 2 both mainstream and
radical at the same time, and he believes that is a tricky balance to achieve. As
Woodkid put it, artists frequently compromise their creative vision to appeal
to the masses, but Kojima's an exception. Woodkid admired his singular
dedication to his creative vision, but he also considered Kojima to be
receptive to feedback, and considered his collaboration with the game director
to be a 'dialogue' rather than a one-sided relationship where he just did as he
was told.
Hideo Kojima has often worn his Hollywood influences on his
sleeve, but Woodkid ended his interview by claiming that just like the Metal
Gear franchise, Death Stranding would also prove to be massively impactful,
both in gaming and in Hollywood.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Corpus Christi celebrates Juneteenth with music, community and cultural pride at Water's Edge Park
Corpus Christi's bayfront came alive with culture and celebration as the city hosted the Coastal Bend Juneteenth Festival at Water's Edge Park from June 20 to 22, according to Caller Times. The three-day community event brought together locals to commemorate Juneteenth through a mix of live music, vendor booths, local cuisine, and health screenings. The festival continues through Sunday, June 22, from 4 to 8 pm, offering more chances for residents to join the festivities. Corpus Christi marked the Coastal Bend Juneteenth Festival Weekend from June 20 to 22.(UnSplash) On Saturday, June 21, Shannon Solis, assistant professor at Prairie View A&M University, read aloud the official proclamation on behalf of Mayor Paulette Guajardo. The declaration formally named June 20 to 22 as 'Coastal Bend Juneteenth Festival Weekend,' highlighting the significance of the occasion for the region. From the early afternoon, the park buzzed with energy as community members began arriving to set up for the day's programming. Volunteers and organizers worked together to prepare the space, distributing festival T-shirts and welcoming guests. Melody Nixon-Bice, representing the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education, handed out shirts and connected with attendees as the event built momentum. Music played a central role throughout the day, with the Bayou City Brass Band bringing a lively soundtrack to the celebration. With their trumpets and French horns, the musicians attracted a crowd by the water, where guests danced, took photos, and recorded the performances. Also read: Windrush Day 2025: Buckingham Palace unveils Royal portraits honoring Caribbean men, women and children Final day scheduled for Sunday evening The Juneteenth Festival concludes Sunday with another round of activities between 4 and 8 pm. The final day is expected to feature more performances, food trucks, community outreach booths, and on-site services. Madeline 'Maddie' Chapman and Naomi Turner were seen arriving on Saturday, walking through the park as the crowd grew. Later, Faryce Goode-Macon and Rodney Williams posed for photographs, joining other attendees in marking the occasion. The event offered a family-friendly space to reflect on Juneteenth's importance while embracing the joy and togetherness it symbolizes for the Corpus Christi community. FAQs When was the Corpus Christi Juneteenth Festival held? The event took place from June 20 to 22, 2025. Who issued the official proclamation? Mayor Paulette Guajardo issued the proclamation. What events were featured at the festival? Live music, vendor booths, health screenings, and food trucks were part of the Corpus Christi Juneteenth Festival. Who performed live at the event? The Bayou City Brass Band was among the musical performers.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Johnny Depp reflects on raising Lily-Rose and Jack with Vanessa Paradis in France: ‘I was papa'
Johnny Depp has shared a rare glimpse into his private life, recalling how he raised his children with former partner Vanessa Paradis in the south of France. In a recent conversation with The Sunday Times, Depp reflected on that chapter of his life, calling it the only time he truly felt at home. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor, now 62, appeared emotional while speaking about his children, Lily-Rose Depp and Jack Depp. Behind him during the interview was a painting of his daughter, Lily-Rose, which he had started when she was just 10. Johnny Depp opened up about raising children Lily-Rose and Jack in France.(AP) 'I never finished it. She was 10 then, and 25 now,' Depp said. 'Years get away from us, don't they?' He went on to admit, 'I'm of the empty-nest syndrome.' The actor and French singer Paradis were together for 14 years before parting ways in 2012. During that time, they chose to raise their children away from the spotlight, living on an estate near St. Tropez, which Depp purchased in 2001. Later, the family relocated to Los Angeles. Reflecting on those early days, Depp said, 'Oh man, my kids growing up in the south of France in their youth?' He spoke warmly about fatherhood: 'I was Papa. I cannot tell you how much I loved being Papa.' Then, with a hint of humor, he added, 'Then, suddenly, Papa was out the window. I was Dad. But Papa was awesome, and I'm getting old enough for Papa to possibly come back. Some motherf-----'s going to have to call me Papa!' 'That was home' for Depp Asked where he considers 'home' now, Depp said he doesn't spend much time in the US anymore, instead dividing his time between the UK and the Bahamas. Still, he called the family's time in France his true sense of belonging. 'Truly, the first time I felt I had a home was the place in the south of France where Vanessa and I raised the kiddies. That's the only place that ever felt like home,' Depp explained. Paradis once said she chose France as their home base. 'Only in the south of France can you live much more anonymously. And that's bliss, especially when the children are still young,' she told Weekend Knack in 2007. ALSO READ: Johnny Depp becomes Jack Sparrow again in surprise visit to kids' hospital in Spain; internet melts: 'Real life hero' FAQs Who are Johnny Depp's children? Lily-Rose Depp, born in 1999, and Jack Depp, born in 2002, are his children with Vanessa Paradis. Where did Johnny Depp raise his kids? Primarily in the south of France, before later moving to Los Angeles. What happened to Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis? They ended their relationship in 2012 after 14 years together, but have continued to co-parent their children. How long were Vanessa and Johnny Depp together? They were together for 14 years, from 1998 to 2012.
India.com
6 hours ago
- India.com
Meet England star Ollie Pope's beautiful girlfriend, her name is..., she works as...
In this collection of pictures we shall know about England star Ollie Pope's girlfriend. We shall know about her profession their dating life and her educational qualification. Let's dive in. Ollie Pope scored an important hundred at Headingley to help save the match against India. But away from the spotlight, his girlfriend, Ella Gurdon, has been a steady source of support. Ella Gurdon, who comes from London, is not only Ollie Pope's girlfriend but also a skilled interior designer who loves style and creative work. Ella studied French and international media for her bachelor's degree at the University of Nottingham, and later got a diploma in home interior design from KLC School of Design. Ella worked as an intern at the creative company Joint in 2017 and now holds the role of Senior Account Manager. Her design skills add to her professional and confident personality. Ollie and Ella are said to have started seeing each other a few years back, choosing to keep things private. Their connection became deeper over time, away from the spotlight. They both like to keep their lives personal. Ella's social media accounts are not open to the public, and the two hardly share anything online, choosing to enjoy their time together without showing it to everyone. It's said that they've spent time with each other's families, showing that their relationship is serious and not just casual.
