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 shared his reflections on creativity and the demanding nature of game development. Amidst the "crunch time" pressures surrounding Death Stranding 2: On the Beach – slated for a 2025 release – Kojima voiced his fatigue on X/Twitter.

Kojima's candid admission of his studio's "crunch time" is noteworthy, as the industry has increasingly moved away from this practice of extended work hours. He described the period as "the most demanding period of game development—both physically and mentally," citing the multitude of tasks beyond game development itself, including writing, interviews, and other non-game-related work. While he didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2, it's the most likely project currently in this intense phase. Other Kojima Productions titles, OD and Physint, are seemingly 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

However, Kojima's contemplation of his creative longevity isn't solely attributed to the current crunch. Instead, it seems spurred by reading a Ridley Scott biography, prompting him to question how much longer he can remain creatively active. Despite his admission that the work is "incredibly tough," the 61-year-old Kojima expressed his desire to continue, citing Ridley Scott's continued success at 87 as inspiration.

Fans can rest assured; Kojima's retirement isn't imminent. Despite a near four-decade career, he remains committed to his craft. Death Stranding 2, showcased in September with a bizarre gameplay reveal featuring a unique photo mode, dancing puppets, and a character portrayed by George Miller, continues to generate anticipation. While story details remain largely under wraps, Kojima has confirmed some character absences. The original Death Stranding received a 6/10 rating from IGN, praising its unique world but criticizing its gameplay.