World-Renowned Game Designer Hideo Kojima to Visit Esports World Cup Festival

The Esports World Cup is about to get more post-apocalyptic. The acclaimed game designer behind the Death Stranding franchise will make his way to the Esports World Cup Festival for a special meet-and-greet and Q&A panel celebrating the success of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach on August 23rd.

Fans looking to gain insight into Kojima's post-apocalyptic creations should keep an eye on Esports World Cup social media channels to secure tickets for the event taking place within Publisher Park at Riyadh Boulevard City.

A Legendary Japanese Game Designer

Hideo Kojima is one of the most prolific names in the video game industry. His most recent creations, Death Stranding and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, a duo of games about a deliveryman connecting scattered settlements in a post-apocalyptic United States, are both critically acclaimed and well-loved by players worldwide.

Death Stranding: On the Beach, the sequel to Kojima Productions' debut title, takes everything from 2019's Death Stranding and builds on it in substantial ways. The game, which launched on June 26th, places the player in a gigantic, immersive world where they must forge connections between the separated remnants of the human race.

Critics across the game industry have called Death Stranding 2: On the Beach a "triumphant sequel" and a "phenomenal offering" for all types of players.

DEATH STRANDING WORLD STRAND TOUR 2

The visit is one of twelve global stops on the official DEATH STRANDING WORLD STRAND TOUR 2. Kojima has already made stops at major cities like Tokyo, London, and Shanghai. After Riyadh, he will make his way to both São Paulo in Brazil and Lucca in Italy.

The tour kicked off in Los Angeles on June 8th, where Kojima Productions held a Death Stranding 2: On the Beach premiere with special guests like Elle Fanning, Troy Baker, and Shioli Kutsuna. Each stop on the world tour has been filled with unique insight, special information, and plenty of laughs. The stop at the Esports World Cup Festival is one you won't want to miss.

Kojima at the New Global Sport Conference

Kojima will also deliver a keynote speech on creativity and innovation at the New Global Sport Conference 2025 (NGSC), the flagship industry forum from the Esports World Cup Foundation. NGSC will be hosted during the closing weekend of the Esports World Cup, from August 23rd to 24th, at the Four Seasons in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Drawing from decades of experience pushing the boundaries of interactive storytelling, Kojima will share insights from his creative vision behind both Death Stranding titles and offer his perspective on the current state of the wider games industry.