Gears Of War Designer Was Asked To Join Death Stranding But Here's Why He Said No

Cliff Bleszinski, the creator and designer of Gears of War, nearly had a role in Hideo Kojima's much-anticipated upcoming game Death Stranding. Bleszinski said on Twitter that Kojima asked him to visit the studio to get scanned into the game, but it didn't work out.

Bleszinski said on Twitter that he wasn't able to collaborate with Kojima for Death Stranding due in part to how, at the time, he was going through the collapse of his latest game studio, Boss Key Productions.

"He asked me to come get scanned when I was in Japan but it was as [Boss Key Productions] was nearly over and I was starting my 'lay low' phase and opted out. Kinda regret it," he said.

Bleszinski revealed this after God of War director Cory Barlog lamented the fact that he wasn't invited to be a part of Death Stranding with a cameo of his own.

All of this news comes immediately after comedian and late night TV host Conan O'Brien revealed that he was scanned into Death Stranding and has a cameo role in the game.

Even without Bleszinski and Barlog, Death Stranding is stuffed with celebrity roles and cameos. Walking Dead actor Norman Reedus plays main character Sam "Porter" Bridges, while Hannibal and Casino Royale actor Mads Mikkelsen plays Cliff. James Bond actress Lea Seydoux plays a character named Fragile, while Once Upon a Time in Hollywood's Margaret Qualley portrays Mama. The Bionic Woman actress Lindsay Wagner portrays Bridget in Death Stranding, while veteran voice actor Troy Baker plays Higgs. Tommie Earl Jones (Pandora, The Politician) plays Die-Hardman.

The Death Stranding review embargo lifts on November 1, so keep checking back with GameSpot for more on the title in the days and weeks ahead.

Death Stranding officially launches on November 8 for PS4.