Gamers would be hard pressed to find a game in this modern age of gaming that doesn't release some form of DLC or additional content at some point within the first year of its run, especially when it comes to AAA titles. Death Stranding, however, is far from an ordinary game for this day and age.
Whether players believe that Death Stranding has invented a new genre or not, it still at its core is a game and is thus privy to the expectations of modern gaming. So, with players wrapping up their initial playthroughs and working towards unlocking every trophy and achievement, fans will be itching for more content to satiate them until Kojima Productions can launch a new title.
However, it's all well and good to talk about how much players might want a DLC, but it's another thing to look for any evidence that there might be anything coming to the world of Death Stranding anytime soon. When considering the track record of Kojima Productions, and Hideo Kojima himself, DLC hasn't always been something that has gone hand in hand with some of the company's biggest releases.
Metal Gear Solid
The Metal Gear games, ranging all the way back to the original introduction of Solid Snake back in 1987, have never been ones to use DLC. Although, considering the age of the series, it is entirely possible that this is due to most of the games coming out long before DLC was a common feature. In fact Metal Gear Solid 4, the fourteenth game to release with Metal Gear attached to the title, was the first main series title to arrive within the era of the PSN and paid DLC.
There was one game that came close to changing this trend, albeit with what Konami considered a standalone game. Arriving a year before Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain released was Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeros. Both games released as separate entities, but their storylines intertwined in a way that no other Metal Gear sequels had before, with Ground Zeros introducing the lead villain of both titles and Phantom Pain picking up where the other left off.
While all games in the series are connected by the same world and in-universe references, this is the only instance of story content for one game that is continued in another in the main line of Metal Gear titles. Aside from this instance, the only other add-on content to come to the Metal Gear series has been mostly cosmetic based or centered around the online aspect of the game. So relating this back to Death Stranding, which has plenty of similarities to Metal Gear, there isn't exactly a president for Kojima to release DLC for his major titles.
Rumors
There have been rumors circling around Death Stranding since its announcement in 2016, although many either haven't panned out, or were merely setting up for a later announcement. One such rumor, though, made headlines, as it boasted insider knowledge on DLC and Raids coming to Death Stranding. At the moment, this rumor has still not been confirmed, and some doubt has been cast on the original poster since the leak happened.
According to the rumor, the DLC was supposed to bring with it story content that continued the narrative in some form, with the original poster speculating that it would expand on the ending. Many commenters on the original post have pointed out that this is likely not the case, considering that Death Stranding doesn't end on any sort of cliffhanger that would require further explanation. However, that doesn't mean that new content showcasing other characters' stories from a different point of view would be out of the question.
The rumor also included new weapons, a new area, and an all new Raid mode. While all of this sounds fascinating, some of these concepts probably wouldn't fit very well into the world of Death Stranding. Most notable is the Raid, which would seemingly go against the spirit of the game and its unique form of multiplayer.
One of the rumors is slightly more likely though, the new area. In the narrative of Death Stranding, it would make sense for the UCA to want to expand the Chiral Network that pushes the plot forward for the rest of the game. As such, this would mean possibly extending into other sections of the continent, like Canada or Mexico, or going to states that are disconnected from the mainland USA like Alaska or Hawaii.
These could lead to some pretty incredible new places to explore, and more beautiful locals for Death Stranding to go with the landscapes that already exist.
What Would Death Stranding DLC Look Like?
Keeping in the spirit of the game, the perfect DLC for Death Stranding would likely include a new area like the previous rumor mentioned, but the new equipment would likely go farther than just new weapons. In the name of speculation, players have already imagined some future equipment that could make traveling through the bleak world of Death Stranding all the more convenient. One such idea would be new vehicles, something with less carrying capacity, but better terrain traversal.
On the note of equipment that Sam could carry and make traversal more manageable could be items like grappling hooks, which would work like a climbing anchor, but capable of being sent up instead of down. Additionally, some sort of umbrella or covering that could protect equipment from Timefall would be helpful for long trips through BT areas. The possibilities for new equipment are practically endless, but are still simply speculation until Kojima Productions makes any further announcements.
How Likely is Death Stranding DLC?
With no additional content announced at the moment, the prospects of new equipment or vehicles or areas look pretty bleak. However, there is a small glimmer of hope when Guerrilla Games is brought into context, as well as the company's most recent major title, Horizon Zero Dawn. When Horizon released, there were only rumors of DLC at the time, with no planned Season Pass or future DLC announced until Frozen Wilds was revealed months after the game had already hit shelves.
Since Guerrilla Games did have a part in creating Death Stranding, with Horizon Zero Dawn's Decima engine powering the new title, surprise DLC is not out of the question. If Death Stranding does follow this same path, then perhaps news of extra content will come when the PC version releases in Summer 2020. However, considering that Hideo Kojima is reportedly already working on his next project, it's best for fans not to keep their hopes up too high, and simply appreciate the everything Death Stranding already offers at the moment.
Death Stranding is available now for PS4, with a PC release planned for Summer 2020