2017 is officially history, meaning gamers have an entirely new set of 365 days to look forward to. With plenty of announcements, reveals, new trailers, and more surely to arrive over the next year, many are patiently awaiting more details about the freshman project to come from Kojima Productions. We’ve already learned that there will be a “surprise” announcement in 2018, but Hideo Kojima has also revealed his Death Stranding influences.

During a recent talk with Japanese magazine Dengeki PlayStation, Kojima discussed his Death Stranding influences. He specifically mentions two video games, Inside and Framed 2. When Dengeki asked about which title from 2017 “pertains” to his work, and why. This was his response:

Inside (for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, iOS) and Framed 2 (mobile game). Although Inside was a 2016 title, I’m feeling the possibility of indie titles developed by small-scale teams, as represented by these two games. I was also appointed as a judge for the Best Independent Game award at The Game Awards, so that feeling of mine has grown stronger.

We have prepared an environment where it is possible to create a game where everything from modeling to presentation is worked on by a few people, or even just one person (although it’s a different matter when it comes to distribution and more). This is an era where even indies can make games that make the world gaze in wonderment. My thought has strengthened to make Kojima Productions as the forerunner of such an era.”

Inside is certainly an understandable choice, with it being all ominous and creepy and whatnot. Framed 2, however, is an interesting one. Perhaps the noir puzzle game lends a hand in figuring out what the upcoming game is about. Only time will tell. Keep it tuned to Don’t Feed the Gamers as we monitor what might possibly be the most anticipated game of this decade, and for other gaming news, check out the following:

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What say you, gamers? Do you find Kojima’s Death Stranding influences to be a bit peculiar? What other games do you think have been tossed around in his mind while working on the upcoming title? Sound off in the comments section below, and be sure to follow DFTG on Twitter for live gaming and entertainment news 24/7!