logo

Death Stranding 2 is full of Hideo Kojima's bizarre Easter Eggs, even his team didn't want them

Time of India28-06-2025
Hideo Kojima I Credits: Kojima Productions
Hideo Kojima is back with another wild ride, and this time, he's not holding back. Death Stranding 2: On The Beach brings more emotional storytelling, haunting visuals, and intense gameplay, but it's also hiding something else.
The renowned video game developer himself has packed the game with Easter eggs, and he admits, many of them might just make players cringe. From strange references to subtle sky messages, the legendary game creator has sprinkled his signature style all over the sequel, whether you like it or not. Kojima went full 'Kojima'
In an interview with GameSpark , Kojima openly said that most of the Easter eggs were his idea and his team didn't even want them. 'Even if I asked the staff to add them, they just pretended not to hear,' he joked. But he went ahead anyway, hiding secrets that players will only notice on a second or third playthrough.
🙏👍🫶😍🙇🏻🎮🎬 https://t.co/UDjpA3gpKd — HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) June 26, 2025
Some are funny, some are just plain weird, but all of them are very "Kojima." Easter Eggs that might make you 'cringe'
Kojima warned players that some Easter eggs could make them uncomfortable. Want an example? Looking at the stars in a hot spring at night might show you some unexpected things, if you zoom in closely. He says it's all for the players who love to explore and dig deeper into the game's world. Cameos, self-references, and odd surprises
HIDEO Kojima san <-> Feet Fetish, dates back to MGS IV days (Quiet🤫)If you know, you know!
pic.twitter.com/4qUpKr27ab ->— Pure PlayStation (ピュア プレイステーション) (@Pure_PS) June 25, 2025
Just like Death Stranding, the sequel features tons of familiar faces. Kojima said many celebrities came to the studio asking to be included in the game. Not all of them made it in, but many were scanned and saved for later use. On top of that, there's a character named Neil who looks and sounds a lot like Snake from Metal Gear, a clear nod to Kojima's past work.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Day6 kicks off their 10th anniversary party with new  'The DECADE' album trailer
Day6 kicks off their 10th anniversary party with new  'The DECADE' album trailer

Time of India

time8 hours ago

  • Time of India

Day6 kicks off their 10th anniversary party with new 'The DECADE' album trailer

DAY6 10th Anniversary K-pop band Day6 has officially kicked off their 10th anniversary celebrations, marking a full decade since their debut in 2015. Known for blending heartfelt lyrics with impeccable musicality, the group launched their special anniversary project 'The DECADE of us' on August 4th. This project will lead up to the release of their much-awaited 4th full-length album, 'The DECADE', which has been teased as a love letter to their journey and fans alike. Album trailer full of symbolism and nostalgia On August 13th, JYP Entertainment dropped the two-minute trailer across the band's social platforms. It opens with a striking scene: an elderly conductor with white hair moves his baton slowly in silence, keeping time with a metronome. This is followed by a sudden shift in mood-band members are shown laughing like carefree children, surrounded by party guests in a lively, almost cinematic setting. The contrast captures both their innocence during the early days and the maturity they've gained over ten years. Many fans are already dissecting each frame, raising speculations about hidden Easter eggs that might connect to the band's past songs or iconic moments. First album in six years This new release is extra special because it marks the band's first regular full-length album in about five years and eleven months. Their last such album, 'The Book of Us: Entropy', came out in October 2019, receiving both domestic and global praise. Over the last few years, Day6 members have been involved in individual projects, military service, and songwriting, which only heightened fans' expectations. 'The DECADE' is expected to present a rich musical spectrum, reaffirming their reputation as a "trust-and-listen" band ( "믿듣데") -a title given by fans for consistently high-quality releases. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eupatoria: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo Celebration concerts To commemorate the milestone, Day6 will hold special concerts on August 30 and 31 at the Goyang Sports Complex. These concerts are anticipated to be more than just a live performance-they're expected to serve as a reunion between Day6 and their fandom, My Day, with setlists that blend nostalgic hits and fresh tracks from 'The DECADE'. The official release for the album is set for September 5th at 6 PM KST, and excitement is already sky-high as pre-orders and ticket sales are showing strong numbers. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."

Travis Kelce nails the vision behind The Life of a Showgirl — Taylor Swift approves: All you need to know about her new era
Travis Kelce nails the vision behind The Life of a Showgirl — Taylor Swift approves: All you need to know about her new era

Time of India

time15 hours ago

  • Time of India

Travis Kelce nails the vision behind The Life of a Showgirl — Taylor Swift approves: All you need to know about her new era

If you're a Swiftie, you know August is basically Taylor season. Just when it felt like things couldn't get any better, she surprised everyone with The Life of a Showgirl announcement on a casual Tuesday — and by Wednesday, we already had the release date, tracklist, album cover, and even the vision behind it. Oh, and we just might have a certain Kelce brother to thank for that last part. Taylor Swift unveils her new album at the New Heights podcast Appearing on the New Heights podcast alongside boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason on August 13, Swift reached for a blurred mint-green briefcase marked with the bright orange initials 'T.S.' Inside was the reveal fans had been waiting for: her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. And she didn't just drop the title — Swift went all in, sharing the release date, a glitter-soaked album cover, the full tracklist, and the shimmering aesthetic that will define this chapter. The visuals echo the same warm orange and cool mint tones she's been sprinkling into her world lately, a palette fans now realise was hiding in plain sight. With this reveal, the Easter egg hunt is officially over… and the Showgirl era has begun. From track list to release date and album art, scroll ahead to find out everything we know about Swift's album so far. The Life of a Showgirl album cover: The look and the vibe The cover, shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott, shows Swift floating in mint-green water wearing a rhinestone bodysuit, radiating pure showgirl glamour. The aesthetic leans theatrical and maximalist, matching the album's themes of spotlight pressure, backstage secrets, and the heightened emotions of performing. She's rolling out four vinyl variants with names like Sweat and Vanilla Perfume and It's Rapturous, plus CDs, cassettes, and posters. The Life of a Showgirl release date The Life of a Showgirl drops October 3, 2025, with pre-orders already live. Swift has kept it tight this time—no sprawling double album, just 12 tracks she says are all essential. And, baby, that's show business for you. New album The Life of a Showgirl. Out October 3 ❤️‍🔥 Producers: Max Martin, Shellback and Taylor Swift📸: Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott The Life of a Showgirl tracklist The standard digital version of the album is set at $12.99, while the deluxe vinyl, priced at $34.99, is already up for pre-order on Swift's official site. Packed with 12 tracks, it includes a title track featuring Sabrina Carpenter. The Fate of Ophelia Elizabeth Taylor Opalite Father Figure Eldest Daughter Ruin the Friendship Actually Romantic Wi$h Li$t Wood CANCELLED! Honey The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter) The Life of a Showgirl: When did she write it, and what was the vision behind it? You'd think 21 straight months of the Eras Tour, a globe-spanning, stamina-testing marathon, plus releasing The Tortured Poets Department somewhere in the middle would be enough to keep Taylor Swift's schedule at maximum capacity. And yet, less than a year after wrapping that mammoth run, she's unveiling a fully realised, concept-driven album. How? Well… turns out she's the Mastermind after all. She didn't just write The Life of a Showgirl—she lived it. As shared on the Kelce Brothers' podcast, Swift began piecing the record together in mid-to-late 2024, right in the thick of the Eras Tour's European leg. Between three-night stadium runs, she would hop on a plane to Sweden to work with Max Martin and Shellback. 'I was physically exhausted but mentally so stimulated,' she admitted, explaining how the intensity of touring fed straight into the album's drama, glamour, and raw adrenaline. Her schedule was the kind only a pop icon could pull off — three sold-out shows, a quick hop to Sweden, long nights in the studio, and then right back on stage just days later. As her boyfriend and NFL star Kelce pointed out, she wrote The Life of a Showgirl while living it, earning a proud 'nailed it' from Swift herself. Why this is truly a new era for Taylor Swift This is Swift's first full album made after regaining control of her masters back in May, and it's a deliberate pivot back to glossy, precision-engineered pop. The focus is on showmanship, tight storytelling, and a little wink to the spectacle of her public life. With Max Martin and Shellback behind the boards and Sabrina Carpenter on the title track, it's turning out to be one of her most polished releases yet.

Taylor Swift's new album is rumored to include sharp digs at Blake Lively and Donald Trump with love songs about Travis Kelce
Taylor Swift's new album is rumored to include sharp digs at Blake Lively and Donald Trump with love songs about Travis Kelce

Time of India

time19 hours ago

  • Time of India

Taylor Swift's new album is rumored to include sharp digs at Blake Lively and Donald Trump with love songs about Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift's new album, 'The Life of a Showgirl,' is creating buzz (Getty Images) Taylor Swift 's surprise reveal of her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, has set the internet on fire, not only for its unapologetically pop aesthetic but for whispers that it may include pointed references to right-wing figures and even Donald Trump. Multiple outlets say the record will mix glittery sonics with some of the 'dark chapters' Swift has lived through, suggesting a sharper edge beneath the neon. Taylor Swift's 'The Life of a Showgirl' teases bold themes Taylor Swift announced the project in a playful cameo for boyfriend Travis Kelce 's New Heights podcast, flashing a mint-green briefcase and a blurred cover—classic Swiftian misdirection that guarantees fan theorizing. Soon after, she surfaced a Spotify playlist titled 'And, baby, that's show business for you,' a wink that many listeners read as an early mood board for the album. — chartstswift (@chartstswift) Where Travis Kelce fits into the narrative—and why that matters Kelce isn't just a footnote in this era; he's part of the roll-out DNA. The announcement itself leveraged his platform, and reporting hints that the romance inspired portions of the record's warmer, triumphant tones, counterbalancing its bruised confessions. Even as tabloids float the notion of a track joking about a media 'PR stunt,' the broader storyline paints Kelce as the steady presence who helped unlock brighter, bolder songwriting. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Update: The Strategy Uses By Successful Intraday Trader TradeWise Learn More Undo It's a savvy cultural crossover: NFL star power meeting pop's most meticulous strategist. The Blake Lively question, the rumored Donald Trump jab, and the showgirl thesis Daily Mail-adjacent chatter claims Swift may lace in barbed observations aimed at political antagonists—possibly Donald Trump—alongside Easter eggs that touch her inner circle, including Blake Lively. None of that is confirmed, but the pattern tracks with Swift's playbook: confessional snapshots, refracted through spectacle, then staged for maximal discourse. Add in the album's title—Showgirl—and you get a thesis about performance itself: how fame turns private struggle into public theater. What feels certain is the scale. Pre-orders are live, a reveal on New Heights is slated, and Swift has primed fans to decode every frame. As ever, she's controlling chaos with craft: teasing visuals, breadcrumbing playlists, and letting the conversation, about politics, friendship, and love—do the heavy lifting until the curtain lifts on the full tracklist. Also Read: 'Just two people that are in love': Travis Kelce hits out at media for twisting his relationship with Taylor Swift Fans can expect neon-lit pop with steel in its spine, an era where Travis Kelce's world intersects with Swift's studio magic, and where the showgirl smile might bare a few teeth. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store