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, revealing that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is currently in "crunch time."

Kojima's candid X/Twitter posts expressed his fatigue and described the intense pressure of crunch, a period characterized by extended work hours and days off sacrificed. While many studios have pledged to avoid crunch following past controversies, Kojima's public acknowledgement of its impact on his team is noteworthy. He detailed the myriad tasks beyond game development, including writing, interviews, and other non-game related work, highlighting the significant physical and mental toll.

Although Kojima didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2, its 2025 release date and the typical timing of crunch in game development strongly suggest it's the project currently facing this pressure. His other projects, OD and Physint, appear to be 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 his future creativity, however, seems less directly linked to this current crunch period. Instead, it appears spurred by reading a Ridley Scott biography, prompting reflection on his own longevity in the industry. The 61-year-old expressed uncertainty about how much longer he can maintain his creative drive, questioning whether he has 10, 20, or more years left. He cited Ridley Scott's continued success at 87 as inspiration.

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

Death Stranding 2's gameplay, showcased in September, maintains the series' unique and bizarre style, featuring elements like a peculiar photo mode, dancing figures, and a character portrayed by George Miller. While a story introduction was released in January, much remains unknown about the game's complex narrative. Kojima has, however, confirmed which characters will not be returning. IGN's review of the first Death Stranding game scored it a 6/10, praising its world-building but criticizing its gameplay.