Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear series, recently shared his reflections on creativity and the demanding nature of game development, particularly the "crunch time" currently impacting Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
In a series of X/Twitter posts, Kojima expressed fatigue and described the intense pressure of crunch, a period characterized by extended work hours and days off sacrificed. While uncommon for a studio head to publicly acknowledge this, Kojima detailed the physical and mental toll, including tasks beyond game development like writing, interviews, and other non-game related work. Although he didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2, given its 2025 release date and the typical timing of crunch periods, it's the most likely project undergoing this intensive phase. His other projects, OD and Physint, appear to be in earlier stages of development.
The most demanding period of game development—both physically and mentally—commonly known as “crunch time.” On top of mixing and Japanese voice recording, there’s an inevitable pile of other tasks: writing comments, explanations, essays, interviews, discussions, and… https://t.co/FrXRgaS748
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) January 10, 2025
Kojima's contemplation of his future creativity, however, seems less directly linked to the current crunch. Instead, reading a Ridley Scott biography appears to have prompted reflection on his own longevity in the industry. At 61, Kojima questioned how much longer he can maintain his creative drive, expressing a desire to continue but acknowledging the uncertainty of his creative lifespan. He cited Ridley Scott's continued success at 87 as inspiration.
Despite these reflections, fans needn't worry about an immediate retirement. Kojima remains committed to his craft, despite nearly four decades in the industry.
Death Stranding 2's gameplay, showcased in September, maintained the series' characteristically bizarre style, featuring elements like a unique photo mode, dancing figures, and a character portrayed by George Miller. While story details emerged in January, much remains shrouded in mystery. Kojima has, however, confirmed which characters will not be returning. The first Death Stranding received a 6/10 review from IGN, praising its unique world but criticizing its gameplay.
