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 workload. He described the crunch period as "the most demanding period of game development—both physically and mentally," citing tasks beyond game development, including writing, commentary, 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 anticipated 2025 release and the typical timing of crunch towards the end of development. His studio's other projects, OD and Physint, are seemingly 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

Interestingly, Kojima's contemplation of retirement doesn't seem directly linked to the current crunch. Instead, it appears spurred by reading a Ridley Scott biography, prompting him to reflect on his own career trajectory at age 61. He expressed uncertainty about how much longer he can maintain his creative drive, stating, "At this age, I can't help but think about how much longer I'll be able to stay 'creative.'" However, he remains committed to continuing his work, drawing inspiration from Ridley Scott's continued success at an advanced age.

Despite the intense workload and personal reflections, fans can rest assured that Kojima's retirement isn't imminent. He's clearly determined to continue his creative journey, despite nearly four decades in the industry.

Death Stranding 2's gameplay, showcased in a September preview, remains as uniquely bizarre as expected, featuring elements like a peculiar photo mode, dancing figures, and a character portrayed by George Miller (director of Mad Max). While some story details emerged in January, much remains shrouded in mystery, although Kojima has confirmed some character absences. The first Death Stranding received a 6/10 review from IGN, praising its world-building but criticizing its gameplay.