Deep in the California desert a special partnership and collaboration born from a desire to inspire people’s imaginations flowered in the dry heat like an ocotillo in bloom.
KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS and our partner DNSYS teamed up once again for a very special activation. An activation that could only take place in one very specific locale; The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
[ Full partnership announcement can be viewed here. ]
Representatives from both companies crossed the world to arrive at the tiny hamlet of Borrego Springs, (population approximately 3000) with some very specific purposes in mind.
Fans of DEATH STANDING 2: ON THE BEACH would be quick to recognize where KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS and DNSYS took a team of four content creators into the desert for a day trip to the actual location that inspired the opening scenes of the game.
Once on location, the four content creators were suited up in Z1 Exoskeletons and given time and space to roam about, testing the different abilities and augmentations the sophisticated suits offer the wearer. They tested them hiking in different types of terrain like scaling over rocky formations, loose hot sand, and across open desert spaces.
Participants:
- Justin Caesar < Instagram Link >
- Tiffany Lin < Instagram Link >
- Jaysean Berndt < Instagram Link >
- Rich Manley < Instagram Link >
It was the first time for any of these content creators (many of whom professionally work in nature and the outdoors) had been to Font’s Point: What did they think of the location?
“I've been to other parts of Anza-Borrego, but not actual Font’s Point, and I've been meaning to come back, but it's just so out here in the middle of nowhere,” explained Tiffany Lin. “I thought, okay, one day I'll get there. So, this actually gave me the opportunity to go check it out!”
“I thought it was absolutely beautiful,” exclaimed Rich Manley. “I did some research on it too, but it is like the Grand Canyon of California. It's awesome.”
Each of the content creators got the chance to test out the new Z1 Exoskeleton against a variety of different terrain.
Justin Ceasar said, “This exoskeleton is a total game changer. I keep imagining my grandmother and aunts who have MS putting on this equipment. It would actually get them back on the trails to relive their favorite old hikes. It might take seniors a little time to get used to it, but what a beautiful way to help them. The whole experience was just freaking awesome!”
Jaysean Berndt explained, “The DNSYS × DEATH STRANDING 2 bundle brings gaming gear to life. My brother loves the outdoors, but carrying over 300 pounds makes it hard for him to keep up with me. We are so excited for this — it means he can gear up and we can finally hike together. This kind of technology creates a beautiful butterfly effect; a single innovation can gradually transform the lives of so many ordinary people.”
Rich Manley expressed that, “The exoskeleton is way more than just hiking gear. Imagine how it could help protect my dad’s worn-out knees from his police shifts, and save my own knees when I’m hauling heavy camera gear uphill. It’s genuinely protecting the people who do the heavy lifting while wearing this exoskeleton.”
Tiffany Lin also shared, “Honestly, this exoskeleton is a total lifesaver on the trails. Going uphill, it gives a very strong push from behind, making the climb feel almost effortless. And coming down is even crazier — when your legs are shaking from being so tired, it just locks in and keeps you steady. If your knees are shot or you have bad balance, this thing genuinely gives you the confidence to move freely in nature.”
Full impression videos will be coming soon, so stay tuned!
After a desert hike at Font’s Point in the wild, the content creators were taken back to their lodgings at The Palms at Indian Head to relax, hydrate, and experience DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH for the first time.
They played through the opening sequence of the game, and were pleasantly surprised with the starting location! Each of them trying different things with the character of Sam and figuring out the best way that the controls and gameplay worked for them. They were then asked:
How they felt the game captured the actual Font’s Point where they were just hiking that morning, the enthusiasm from each of them was infectious: Here are a few of their impressions!
“I thought the game was really good. I'm honestly about to go buy it,” grinned Jaysean Berndt. “I gotta keep playing.”
Accolades were given to the KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS team for all their amazing work on the world of DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH.
“Those opening credit scenes ... I legitimately thought they were live action,” said Rich Manley. “You guys should probably be giving some of the movie studios some CGI advice. Yeah, people should come to the DEATH STRANDING team.”
Some of the outdoor content creators and expert hikers had some hiking advice for Sam as well.
“Oh, man…I was trying to think for Sam. It's impressive that he's doing the hike with the baby [Lou], and I haven't even seen the full capacity the amount of stuff he carries around,” explains Justin Caesar. “That's crazy just having all that stuff in your backpack. There are layers for sure. [If it were me] ... pack light ... because your weight increases with everything you pick up.”
“Sam’s great,” exclaims Tiffany Lin. “Sam moves a lot faster than I can move, and I wish I could do that, and I wish I could fall down and just, pop back up, but Sam's a lot stronger than I am. But don't fall [Sam]. Don't fall. That's my advice.”
What timely hiking advice for Sam from our content creator guests as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the PC launch of DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH, now on sale, with players able to purchase the game at 20% off through Steam.
For those looking to experience Sam’s latest journey on console, DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH is also available on PS5 via the PlayStation Store.
And since KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS and DNSYS both come from a place of wanting to inspire others, we chatted further with the content creators, finding out what drives them, and what they would do to motivate future generations to take their first step in adventures they never thought possible for themselves.
We asked if there were any words of inspiration or advice that our desert team would offer others?
“My message is just like my dad always said, he said that tomorrow's not promised,” smiles Justin Ceasar. “You know, be thankful for today. And a lot of people get caught up in the grind of just the 9 to 5 and just living to work. So, I’d like to always remind people that there's gorgeous stuff to see for all levels of experience. This event is just another cool thing, having an exoskeleton from DNSYS and playing DEATH STRANDING 2, these are just awesome things to like, just spark interest in abilities.”
“Mind over matter,” explains Tiffany Lin. “I think that makes a big difference. When you're out there in nature, if you think you can do it, then you can do it, but it's very much a mental game. Obviously, physical also, but as long as you're relatively fit and you want to do it. If you want to do it and you're there, then you can do it. You just have to have the right mindset.”
“I'd say, don't get frustrated,” offers Jaysean Berndt. “You know, you have to take your time when you're learning anything. You're not going to be the best, and I learned this from skateboarding. You're not gonna be the best the first time you try something. Sometimes it takes a 1000 times to get it right. And that's okay. You know, baby steps make the big steps feel even better.”
“On the encouragement front, most people don't even know I would use video games in the past as ways to be motivational in my own athletic pursuits, because I want to do some art,” Rich gestures. “I want to climb up a mountain. I want to do these things. The things I'd see in the game, even when it came to martial arts, I wanted to learn that. I started playing games when I was probably like 10 years old and there were just different things that influenced my interests. So I think when it comes to hiking, find something, whether it is video game or not, that you're passionate about. And then work up to it, don't do something that you can't really accomplish yet. Don't look at other people and say, oh, I want to do that. You know, go at your own pace. Start your own pace and accomplish that.”
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part in our event and shared their thoughts with our readers, and to the Porters across the globe whose journeys continue to inspire us and remind us of the power of taking the first step to pursue new challenges and make their aspirations a reality.
Playing games in a remote destination or have a hiking adventure that you think other Porters out there should check out?
Share your trails, travels, locales with us on Facebook, X, or Instagram with the hashtags:
#DeathStranding2 #DS2GETHER #DnsysExoskeleton
For more information on the new Z1 Exoskeleton please visit the DNSYS website.
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