Throughout the course of his journey through the world of Death Stranding, Sam Porter Bridges will encounter all manner of people and places. Some of these individuals - known as preppers in the vernacular of the game - will be integral to the success of Sam's mission, while others are hidden away and easily missed. Regardless of their perceived importance to the mission, each one of these groups or individuals serve as the vehicle for one of Death Stranding's central questions: what is the cost of losing personal connection?