It has now been confirmed that Death Stranding's multiplayer won't require a PlayStation Plus subscription. Death Stranding will offer various multiplayer gameplay features as part of its strand system but players will be able to enjoy this without paying more for it.
This information comes from an online listing for the Death Stranding PS4 Pro bundle. UK retailer GAME now has the bundle up for pre-order and the image of the box says that "Paid-for PlayStation Plus subscription required for online multiplayer. Sold separately. Death Stranding does not require PlayStation Plus subscription." There are several games with multiplayer content that don't ask players to have a PS Plus subscription such as Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Warframe, and fans will be very happy to see Death Stranding join that list.
While the decision to make Death Stranding multiplayer free is good for player wallets, it also speaks to what creator Hideo Kojima is trying to do with the game. The Death Stranding story is about forming links between cities to add them to the Chiral Network, which is why player character Sam is going around delivering parcels to characters who look like Kojima's good friends. There's also a Facebook 'likes' style system where players are able to give others "unconditional love," which is a way of players supporting each other on their deliveries.
As well as giving each other likes in support, players can help each other without meeting in the game. Death Stranding players can send each other supplies which could potentially save Sam in some clutch moments as he has to carefully manage his items. Players can also share the game's safehouses and walk in each other's footsteps, which could help a player journey over the rugged landscape seen in several Death Stranding gameplay trailers.
Kojima has also put the idea of togetherness into Death Stranding's peeing gameplay. Sam can pee in the game, but more than just being something funny to post on social media or a hilarious idle animation, it can be a way of working with other players. The developer has said that if several players pee in the same spot, they could get something good for it. So, many will be delighted to learn that PlayStation Plus subscription fees won't get in the way of their toilet hijinks.
Death Stranding launches on November 8th, exclusively for PS4.