[Update] Lego’s Death Stranding-inspired gift for Kojima looks an awful lot like fan’s design

[Updated on July 10, 2024] Lego has apologized for not crediting community designer Jonas Kramm in its gift to developer Hideo Kojima. Kramm posted on social media a message he received from the Lego group. In short, someone at Lego did take inspiration from Kramm’s build. Lego apologized for not crediting the work, and will speak with Kojima about getting Kramm’s design credited.

“You should never take credit for someone else’s design, but I’m glad that Lego has admitted their mistake and apologized. Now back to building!” Kramm posted on X.

[Original story] Hideo Kojima, creator of Death Stranding, has received a gift from the Lego Group paying tribute to his post-Konami series — a model of Sam Porter Bridges from Death Stranding. However, according to one Lego community creator, the model’s design isn’t entirely original and claims the company knocked off their work.

It’s no secret, Kojima is a pretty big Lego fan. He’s posted many of the sets he’s bought before, such as the Lego Pac-Man set, and even designed the map for Metal Gear Solid with the help of Lego. Among such recent posts is another unique, newer set, sent directly from Lego Group as a gift to Kojima. While the director seemed thrilled, Jonas Kramm, a Lego fan and MOC creator (that’s “my own creation” for those unfamiliar with the LEGO fandom), didn’t share the sentiment. According to Kramm, Lego copied the design without consulting them.

It’s hard to deny; the two are awfully similar. Kramm retweeted Kojima again, tagging the company with a quote, “Wait! That’s my design from 2020! @LEGO_Group why you copied [sic] my design without asking?”

It’s proof enough Kramm already had the idea first. They posted pictures from their Death Stranding-inspired builds dated January 29, 2020. Kramm’s designs even include other characters, like Fragile, Higgs Monaghan, and Die-Hardman. They’re all clever, spot-on Lego versions of the Death Stranding crew, and easily pass for something official without context. I especially love Fragile’s umbrella, such a unique design!

The Lego Group’s gift looks eerily similar to Kramm’s Sam build, so much so that some users in Kojima’s replies noticed and agreed. Lego’s alleged knockoff has garnered a bit of attention elsewhere, too, as folks on Reddit posted the Tweet and sided with the Lego creator. Even if not identical down to the brick and made exclusively with Lego products, most users seem to agree Kramm deserves some acknowledgment from Lego.

Destructoid has reached out to Lego Group for comment, and we’ll update this post should a representative respond.