Metal Gear Creator Hideo Kojima Questions How Long He Can Stay Creative as Death Stranding 2 Dev Endures Crunch

Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear series, recently expressed concerns about his creative longevity while revealing that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is currently in the demanding "crunch time" phase of development.

Kojima's reflections, shared via a series of X/Twitter posts, paint a picture of intense pressure. He described the crunch period as "the most demanding period of game development—both physically and mentally," citing the multitude of tasks beyond game development itself, including voice recording, writing, interviews, and other non-game related work.

While Kojima didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2 as the project undergoing crunch, it's the most likely candidate given its 2025 release date and the typical timing of crunch towards the end of development. His other projects, OD and Physint, appear to be in earlier stages.

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 retirement, however, seems less directly tied to this particular crunch and more to a broader reflection on his career, possibly spurred by reading a Ridley Scott biography. At 61, he questions how much longer he can maintain his creative drive, expressing a desire to continue but acknowledging the uncertainty of his creative lifespan. He cites Ridley Scott's continued success at 87 as inspiration.

Despite these reflections, fans can rest assured that Kojima remains committed to his craft. He's determined to continue creating, even after nearly four decades in the industry.

Death Stranding 2's gameplay, showcased in September, remains as unconventional as expected, featuring elements like a unique photo mode, dancing figures, and a character portrayed by George Miller. While a story introduction was released in January, much remains shrouded in mystery, though Kojima has confirmed some character absences. The first Death Stranding, according to IGN's 6/10 review, presented a captivating world but struggled with gameplay consistency.