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The Esports World Cup Festival is about to get a serious dose of cinematic, post-apocalyptic flair. Legendary game designer Hideo Kojima, the creative mind behind Death Stranding, the Metal Gear series, and some of gaming’s most cinematic storytelling, will be in Riyadh on 23 August for a special appearance that’s sure to get fans buzzing.

Kojima will be part of a meet-and-greet and Q&A session at Publisher Park in Riyadh Boulevard City, celebrating the success of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

It’s a chance for fans to hear directly from the man himself, get behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the game, and maybe even snap a photo. Tickets and details will drop via the Esports World Cup’s social channels, so keep your eyes peeled.

A Legend in Game Design

For those new to Kojima’s work, he’s one of the most influential figures in gaming. From the stealth-action revolution of Metal Gear Solid to the unique “strand” gameplay of Death Stranding, his projects blur the lines between games and cinema. His latest, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, launched in June this year and has been praised as a “triumphant sequel” by critics worldwide.

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Image Credit: Kojima Productions

Set in a vast, post-apocalyptic world, the game expands on everything from the 2019 original, with richer storytelling, larger environments, and deeper ways to connect the scattered remnants of humanity.

Part of the World Strand Tour

This stop in Riyadh is part of Kojima’s DEATH STRANDING WORLD STRAND TOUR 2, a 12-city promotional journey that’s already hit Tokyo, London, Shanghai, and more. Each city has brought exclusive insights, laughs, and moments fans won’t forget. After Riyadh, Kojima heads to São Paulo in Brazil and Lucca in Italy.

The tour kicked off in Los Angeles back in June, with a star-studded premiere featuring Elle Fanning, Troy Baker, and Shioli Kutsuna, all of whom have roles in the game.

Taking the Stage at NGSC

Kojima isn’t just here for the fans, he’s also speaking at the New Global Sport Conference 2025 (NGSC), the Esports World Cup Foundation’s flagship industry event. Running 23–24 August at the Four Seasons in Riyadh, NGSC brings together some of the biggest names in gaming, sport, and esports.

Kojima will give a keynote on creativity and innovation, sharing decades of wisdom on pushing storytelling in games beyond the expected. He’ll be joined by filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, who played Heartman in Death Stranding, to discuss how the worlds of film and gaming can merge.

With so much packed into his visit, Kojima’s appearance at the Esports World Cup Festival and NGSC is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the event’s closing weekend. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just curious about the man behind some of gaming’s most unique worlds, this is a stop you won’t want to miss.