Conan O’Brien is no stranger to video games, having hosted hisClueless Gamerseries for years as part of his talk show. Now, things are getting kicked up a notch, as O’Brien has been made into a character that makes a cameo in Hideo Kojima’s long-in-developmentDeath Stranding.
The revelation came in a new video highlight onConan, O’Brien’s TBS show, where O’Brien was given the chance to meet with Kojima. After accessing the building via a Costco card and viewing Kojima’s toy collection, Conan blurred out the entirety of the office, including Kojima himself, with the sole exception of a coat rack.
Conan was appropriately weirded out by one trailer’s depiction of a baby living inside someone’s stomach, but that didn’t stop his enthusiasm when Kojima asked if he wanted to be made a character inDeath Stranding. The results are a little bit terrifying, as the Decima engine used by Kojima Productions is incredibly realistic, but Conan brings his signature humor to his role as a “Prepper.” He will also give you a “Sea Otter Suit” in the game, according to Kojima.
Conan O'Brien appears as a prepper “The Wondering MC” in DS. You get “Sea Otter Suit” when you get connected with him. With this suit, you’ll be able to swim easily in the river, you won’t be drifted away! BB would be happy as well. 👍🌈🦀☔️🐟🐋🐬💀👶✋🤩😍pic.twitter.com/nIsw5JS5t0
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN)July 28, 2025
O’Brien is far from the only celebrity to make an appearance inDeath Stranding. He’s joined by fellow Prepper Geoff Keighley ofThe Game Awards, as well as directors Guillermo del Toro and Nicolas Winding Refn. Also appearing in the game’s main cast are film actors Mads Mikkelsen, Norman Reedus, Margaret Qualley, and Lea Seydoux.
Conan was clearly confused by what he’s seen inDeath Strandingso far, and he can join the club. Each trailer and gameplay demonstration for the game has only made us question what Kojima is actually doing even more, though the most recent footage has begun to paint aslightlyclearer picture of the moment-to-moment gameplay. We’re sure there are still dozens of unexpected surprises waiting for us, because it would not be a Hideo Kojima game otherwise.
Death Strandingis due to release exclusively for PlayStation 4 on November 8. It is the first release from the revived Kojima Productions following the developer’s much-publicized split with former employe,r Konami, which also resulted in the cancellation ofSilent Hills. It is his first completed project outside the Metal Gear series in nearly a decade.
