Kojima Productions And Dynsys Bring Death Stranding 2’s Exoskeleton Into Reality

Kojima Productions has taken another step toward dissolving the line between fiction and reality. The studio has partnered with Dynsys, a company specializing in wearable mobility technology, to release a real-life version of the exoskeleton from Death Stranding 2. The device, called the Z1 Exoskeleton Pro – Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Limited Edition, aims to give hikers and climbers “game-like mobility in real life.”

The collaboration represents the first joint project between Kojima Productions and Dynsys. Co-designed by Death Stranding 2 art director Yoji Shinkawa, the Z1 exoskeleton echoes the equipment worn by protagonist Sam Porter Bridges in the game. Like its virtual counterpart, it enhances lower-body strength, improves balance, and helps users cover longer distances with less fatigue. Shinkawa said the design was treated with the same level of attention and purpose as if it had been created for the world of Death Stranding itself.

“We designed this exoskeleton with the same passion and precision as if it were built for the world of Death Stranding,” Shinkawa stated on the Dynsys website. “Every detail was refined to bring the game’s futuristic vision into reality, creating something Sam himself might wear. Wearing it feels as if the world of Death Stranding has come to life, where imagination and reality finally connect.” — Yoji Shinkawa

Dynsys says the Z1 extends hiking endurance by roughly 15.5 miles and vertical climbing capacity by about 9.3 miles. Its motorized assistance provides “50% extra power” per step and reduces knee strain by up to 200% compared to unaided movement. According to the company, users will “instantly feel up to 44 pounds lighter,” thanks to a redistribution of body load through the exoskeleton’s support system. Battery life lasts around four hours but can be expanded by swapping packs during longer excursions.

The design also retains the game’s distinctive visual flair. Integrated lights mimic the on-screen exoskeleton’s interface, displaying both battery level and operational status. The machine itself reportedly weighs 680 grams per leg and folds down to a size “comparable to an iPad Mini,” though Dynsys hasn’t provided full transport dimensions.

What remains unclear is the price. Dynsys lists a wide range for its existing Z1 models — from $749 to $2,298, depending on build type and accessories — while the expected retail rate for standard models hovers around $1,500. The Death Stranding 2 edition will likely fall within that bracket, but Dynsys has yet to confirm the final figure. The company has, however, emphasized that the limited-edition model will be produced in small quantities. Interested buyers are encouraged to subscribe to the Dynsys newsletter for updates on availability.

The exoskeleton’s release is slated for December 2, timed to coincide with the upcoming launch of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Alongside sales, Dynsys and Kojima Productions have announced a promotional campaign inviting users to “Share Your Journey.” Participants can submit short videos, photos, or written stories describing how they’d use the exoskeleton to enhance their outdoor experiences. Submissions posted on social platforms must include the hashtags #DS2_DNSYS, #DNSYSExoskeleton, and #DS2Exoskeleton and be emailed to the company. The three most creative entries will each receive a free Z1 Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Edition.

Winners’ entries may also be showcased on official channels, though neither company has revealed when the results will be announced or when the prizes will ship. For Dynsys, the collaboration signals a move toward making exoskeleton technology both accessible and aspirational — an intersection of practical engineering and cultural iconography. For Kojima Productions, it reflects the studio’s ongoing interest in reimagining human capability through design and storytelling.

Death Stranding has long revolved around the theme of connection — between people, between worlds, and between ideas. The Dynsys partnership extends that theme into the real world, where engineering meets the metaphors that define Kojima’s work. As technology evolves, this kind of collaboration blurs the distance between symbolic devices and tangible tools, giving shape to the notion that imagination can become wearable.

Read also, Hideo Kojima commented on Death Stranding 3: he confirmed that while the concept for Death Stranding 3 already exists, he has no current plans to develop it himself. “Right now, I’m not planning to do this, because the ending of Death Stranding 2 was, for me, the conclusion of the first and second games. But the concept for DS3 already exists, and I have it saved. I hope someone will be able to create it instead of me.” — Hideo Kojima