D E A R , K O J I M A P R O D U C T I O N S
A love letter project. Inspired by Death Stranding.
U n d e r s t a n d i n g M U L E s
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The MULEs are driven by an obsessive attachment to cargo, seeing it as a means to define their purpose in the fractured world of Death Stranding.
Their behavior reflects the effects of prolonged isolation and addiction to the thrill of acquiring and hoarding cargo.
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The MULEs aim to control and dominate cargo routes, showcasing their territorial and compulsive behavior. Their focus is on expanding their influence through the acquisition of goods.
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The addiction to cargo and the effects it has on them compares well to real world examples of drug addicts, and those living a life of highs and lows on their own outside of normal society.
Heavy Metal music plays well with their drug addiction and use of electrical weapons
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If MULEs were to acknowledge and refer to themselves as MULEs, I could see them branding their tents, cargo, vehicles, clothes, and even tagging cities with graffiti.
U n d e r s t a n d i n g D E M E N s
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Homo Demens stands for the rejection of order and Bridges' unification efforts.
They thrive on chaos, destruction, and the disruption of societal rebuilding, symbolizing nihilism and extreme autonomy.
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They aim to dismantle Bridges’ efforts and embrace the fragmentation of the world.
Their philosophy revolves around destruction and rejecting order.
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The Homo Demens are similar to real world terrorist organizations in that they employ violence and destruction in order to destabalize society.
They are also faceless, not truly organized themselves, which give them an aura of a shadowy cabal.
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If DEMENs were to acknowledge and use the name as part of their branding they may find inspiration in militant separatists like Nazis.
They already have egyptian motifs in their design language. Those designs could be expanded here as well.
In-Game Design Ideas
The following are sketches of ideas for things the player might see while playing the game Death Stranding. I made sure to use elements that exist in the game like neon signs, terms and phrases, game objects, and existing branding, while also imagining some new designs for businesses, stickers for cargo, and places you might go to in the game.
