Monster Energy Stocks Shot Up After 'Death Stranding' Product Placement

I've yet to play Death Stranding myself. I fully intend to check out Hideo Kojima's latest effort of course, despite the mixed reviews from fans and critics. I'd much rather make up my own mind on what looks to be one of the most fascinating, divisive games of the year.

While I still haven't experienced the game for myself, there are a few things about the game I can't help but be aware of. Thanks to social media, I know that there are plenty of celebrity cameos. I know that you can make grenades out of your own poop. I also know that despite being set in a post-apocalyptic world, there is an ungodly amount of product placement for Monster Energy Drink.

I haven't actually had a can of Monster since I was about fifteen, but I'm assuming it still tastes like stale cat wee mixed with five bags of sugar? You'll have to let me know in the comments. Either way, Death Stranding's main character Sam Bridges necks can after can of energy drink with giddy abandon.

Quite how Bridges (played by Norman Reedus) can guzzle so much Monster and still have such perfect teeth and skin that isn't starting to flake off is beyond me, but I guess we have to allow Kojima some artistic license with his product-placements. I am aware of the irony of that sentence.

Between November 7th and November 8th, when the game launched on PS4, the stock price of Monster went up by nearly $3 - its highest value in nearly six weeks. There's a small chance that this was just a coincidence of course, but the timing seems too perfect for the two to not be connected.

Having watched footage of Bridges/Reedus enjoying Monster while writing this article, I have to take back what I said about the drink earlier. I too now crave the refreshing, energising taste of Monster in and around my mouth. I might also check out AMC's Ride with Norman Reedus while I'm at it. And then maybe make my own poop grenades.