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" phase of development.

Kojima's reflections, shared via a series of X/Twitter posts, paint a picture of intense pressure. He describes "crunch time" as the most physically and mentally taxing period in game development, encompassing not only game production but also a multitude of additional tasks like writing, interviews, and other non-game-related work. While he didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2, it's the most likely project experiencing crunch, given its anticipated 2025 release and the typical timing of this intensive development period. His other projects, OD and Physint, seem 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, doesn't appear directly linked to the current crunch. Instead, it seems spurred by reading a Ridley Scott biography, prompting him to reflect on his own career at age 61. He expressed uncertainty about how much longer he can maintain his creative drive, questioning whether he has 10, 20, or more years left. He cites Ridley Scott's continued success at 87 as inspiration.

Despite these reflections, Kojima assures fans he's committed to continuing his work, even after nearly four decades in the industry.

Death Stranding 2 gameplay footage, unveiled in September, showcased its characteristically bizarre style, including a unique photo mode, dancing figures, and a character portrayed by George Miller (director of Mad Max). A story introduction surfaced in January, but many narrative details remain shrouded in mystery. Kojima has, however, confirmed some character absences. The first Death Stranding received a 6/10 rating from IGN, praising its unique world but criticizing its gameplay.