Discovering Hidden Treasures: A Death Stranding Easter Egg in Cyberpunk 2077

Upon revisiting the dystopian streets of Night City in the latest Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty expansion, many players are reaping the rewards of the game's preceding 2.0 update, including a previously overlooked Easter egg that nods to another beloved title - Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding. This tantalizing secret, hidden in the very fabric of the game, has recently resurfaced on social media, catching the attention of many gamers who had missed it in their initial playthroughs.

The bond between Kojima Productions and CD Projekt Red stretches back to the crossover event between their respective games, Cyberpunk 2077 and Death Stranding, which took place in late 2020. This collaboration was primarily aimed at marketing the PC port of Death Stranding, enhanced by a collection of Cyberpunk 2077-themed cosmetics. Regrettably, none of these items ever made it to the original PS4 version.

In return, CD Projekt Red incorporated Death Stranding's iconic BB pod into Cyberpunk 2077, a detail that seems to have slipped past a fair chunk of players. Among them was Reddit user deddyduck_22, who recently chanced upon the neon orange baby carriage and shared their discovery online. The post quickly garnered significant traction, indicating that a large part of the fan base was still in the dark about this Easter egg despite its inclusion years ago. The BB pod can be located in a petite downtown clinic that protagonist V infiltrates during The Hunt side quest in Cyberpunk 2077.

But the BB pod isn't the only tribute to Kojima's work in Cyberpunk 2077. Kojima himself has a cameo in the game, making an appearance at the onset of The Heist mission. As V and Jackie step into Konpeki Plaza, the player is given a choice - follow Jackie directly to their room or explore the surroundings. Opting for the latter leads the player to the hotel bar beside the main elevator, where they will find Kojima, dubbed Oshima in-game, sitting at a table, engaged in conversation.

Approaching the digital representation of this esteemed game designer will trigger a dialogue where 'Oshima' inquires if the player has brought a pitch for him. However, the interaction ends there, leaving players with a brief yet memorable encounter. This cameo in Cyberpunk 2077 followed Kojima's 2019 appearance in Nicolas Winding Refn's Too Old To Die Young, an avant-garde neo-noir miniseries created for Amazon Prime Video. Kojima also played a minor role in Refn's latest series, Copenhagen Cowboy, which premiered in January 2023.

The Cyberpunk 2077 universe is teeming with hidden gems and Easter eggs for players to uncover, enhancing the immersive experience of the game. The Death Stranding Easter Egg is a fitting tribute to Hideo Kojima's creative genius, a testament to the profound impact of his work on the gaming industry. Whether it's the BB pod or the cameo of Kojima himself, these elements serve as a delightful surprise for players and a testament to the symbiotic relationship between two of the most innovative game developers of our time. As fans continue to explore the expansive world of Cyberpunk 2077, one can only wonder what other secrets they might stumble upon in the neon-lit streets of Night City.