Published on: June 25, 2025
Nintendo Pictures Supports Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding 2 With Advanced Motion Capture
The highly anticipated action game Death Stranding 2 launches tomorrow exclusively on the PlayStation 5, and new details from the game’s credits have revealed a surprising contributor: Nintendo Pictures.
This project marks a rare instance where Nintendo’s cinematic studio has extended its expertise beyond first-party Nintendo titles, providing advanced motion capture services to Hideo Kojima’s innovative sequel.
Death Stranding 2, developed by Kojima Productions and led by renowned game designer Hideo Kojima, has attracted widespread attention since its announcement, promising a blend of cinematic storytelling and groundbreaking gameplay mechanics.
The original Death Stranding, released in 2019, set a new standard for narrative-driven action games, and its sequel on PS5 continues this legacy with upgraded visuals and expanded performance capture technology.
In an unexpected collaboration, Nintendo Pictures—acquired by Nintendo in 2022 (formerly Dynamo Pictures)—is credited with aiding the motion capture process for Death Stranding 2.
According to VGC, this marks the first time Nintendo Pictures has contributed to a non-Nintendo game since the acquisition.
The credits reflect the studio’s growing capabilities in advanced animation and capture techniques, which have contributed to the lifelike performances seen in Kojima Productions’ latest title.
Since Nintendo’s takeover, Nintendo Pictures has been a crucial asset on several flagship games, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4, Super Mario Bros.
Wonder, Super Mario RPG, and Another Code: Recollection—all for Nintendo Switch.
The studio specializes in animation, cutscene production, and performance capture, significantly enhancing each title’s visual storytelling.
A representative statement, summarized from the game’s credits and development materials, indicates that Nintendo Pictures played a pivotal role in realizing the game’s complex motion capture sequences.
Their advanced technology and experienced staff enabled Kojima Productions to push the boundaries of character animation, resulting in a more immersive and visually impressive experience for players on the PlayStation 5 platform.
This collaboration not only underscores Nintendo Pictures’ technical prowess but also highlights a bridging of talent between prominent players in the Japanese gaming industry.
As Death Stranding 2 prepares to make its debut on the PlayStation 5, the involvement of Nintendo Pictures stands out as a testament to the value of cross-company partnerships in advancing game development standards.
With an expanding portfolio that includes some of the Nintendo Switch's most celebrated titles, Nintendo Pictures has solidified its role as a leading force in motion capture and game cinematics.
Now, their contribution to Death Stranding 2 showcases the studio’s ability to elevate projects both within and outside the Nintendo ecosystem, setting a new benchmark for collaboration and creative innovation in gaming.
Nintendo PlayStation PlayStation 5 game development Death Stranding Death Stranding 2 Nintendo Pictures Hideo Kojima Productions The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Pikmin 4 Super Mario Bros Wonder Super Mario RPG Another Code Recollection VGC