Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear series, recently expressed concerns about his creative longevity while simultaneously revealing that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is currently in the demanding "crunch" phase of development.
Kojima's reflections, shared via a series of X/Twitter posts, began with an admission of fatigue, followed by a candid discussion about the intense pressures of "crunch time"—a period notorious for extended work hours and days off sacrificed. While many studios have pledged to avoid this practice, Kojima's public acknowledgment of its impact on his team is noteworthy.
He described crunch time as "the most demanding period of game development—both physically and mentally," citing a multitude of tasks beyond game development itself, including voice recording, writing, interviews, and other non-game related work.
Although Kojima didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2, it's the most likely project experiencing crunch, given its 2025 release date and the typical timing of this intense development period. His studio's other projects, 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
Kojima's contemplation of retirement isn't solely attributed to the current crunch. Instead, it seems spurred by reading a Ridley Scott biography, prompting him to reflect on his own career trajectory at age 61. He acknowledged the uncertainty of his future creative output, questioning whether he has 10, 20, or more years of creative work ahead. However, he cited Ridley Scott's continued success at 87 as inspiration.
Despite these reflections, fans can rest assured that Kojima remains committed to his craft, even after nearly four decades in the industry.
Death Stranding 2's gameplay, showcased in September, maintained its distinctively bizarre style, featuring elements like a unique photo mode, dancing figures, and a character portrayed by George Miller (director of Mad Max). While a story introduction was released in January, much remains shrouded in mystery. Kojima has, however, confirmed the absence of certain returning characters. The first Death Stranding received a 6/10 review from IGN, praising its world-building but criticizing its gameplay.
