The Death Stranding franchise has officially crossed the threshold of 28 million players worldwide, according to an announcement by Kojima Productions.
That milestone arrives exactly seven years after the original game debuted on PlayStation 4 on November 8, 2019, when Hideo Kojima presented a title intended to divide opinions while leaving a recognizable mark on the industry.
The first Death Stranding chronicles the journey of Sam Porter Bridges, portrayed by Norman Reedus, across an America fragmented by a catastrophic event, where the protagonist’s task consists of reestablishing connections among isolated communities by transporting resources and confronting environmental and supernatural dangers. Initially greeted with curiosity and skepticism, that journey became the symbol of an experience that made human connection its central message.
The total player count does not represent direct sales numbers. Instead, the figure accounts for total users across multiple platforms and distribution methods, including subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus.
Kojima Productions shared commemorative posters alongside a statement from creator Hideo Kojima to mark the anniversary.
The DEATH STRANDING series has now surpassed 28 million players worldwide. The connections that began with DEATH STRANDING continue to grow and spread across the world. Thank you for being part of this journey, and for your continued support! 👍
The franchise has expanded steadily since its initial release in 2019.
The studio’s tracking data shows the user base climbed from five million copies sold by March 2021 to 10 million users by the end of 2022, fueled by entries into subscription catalogs.
Giveaways on the Epic Games Store pushed total users past 16 million by late 2023, while subsequent milestones crossed 20 million early last year.
A definitive push came with the release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, which launched on PlayStation 5 in June 2025 before arriving on PC in March 2026.
The DEATH STRANDING series has now surpassed 28 million players worldwide. The connections that began with DEATH STRANDING continue to grow and spread across the world. Thank you for being part of this journey, and for your continued support! 👍#KojimaProductions… https://t.co/M7ok2hm10t pic.twitter.com/3XpqcMxaGL
The sequel drove immediate hardware and platform engagement. On Steam, the PC version peaked at 57,682 concurrent players, eclipsing the combined peaks of both preceding titles in the franchise.
With the total sitting at 27 million users last June, the property gained an additional million players over the span of roughly four and a half months.
Over time, Death Stranding expanded its audience through the Director’s Cut, conversions for other platforms, and distribution via subscription services and promotional initiatives.
The independent studio reacquired full ownership of the franchise rights from Sony, enabling expansion onto rival platforms including Xbox hardware and mobile operating systems running iOS and Android.
A live-action feature film is underway alongside animated projects, including an upcoming 2D traditional animation series titled Death Stranding Isolations, which is slated for release in 2027 via Disney+ and other Disney services.
The expanded corporate strategy leaves the series positioned across consoles, personal computers, subscription tiers, streaming video platforms, and mobile devices.
