Kojima Ponders Longevity of Creativity in 'Death Stranding 2'

Hideo Kojima, renowned creator of the Metal Gear series, recently expressed concerns about his creative longevity while revealing that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is currently undergoing a "crunch time" period.

Kojima's reflections, shared via a series of X/Twitter posts, began with an admission of fatigue. He described the demanding nature of "crunch," a period of extended work hours often exceeding typical schedules, which is common in game development. While many studios have pledged to avoid crunch following past controversies, Kojima's public acknowledgement of its impact on his studio is unusual.

He detailed the intense workload: "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 non-game-related work. It’s incredibly tough."

Although Kojima 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 crunch towards the end of development. His studio's 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 retirement, however, seems less directly linked to this specific crunch period and more to a broader reflection on his career, possibly spurred by reading a Ridley Scott biography. The 61-year-old stated, "At this age, I can't help but think about how much longer I'll be able to stay ‘creative.’ I want to keep going for the rest of my life, but is it 10 more years? 20? Every day feels like I’m racing against the clock. Even now, at 87, Ridley Scott is still active. And back when he was past 60 — my current stage in life — he created the masterpiece Gladiator."

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

Death Stranding 2's gameplay, showcased in September, maintained its characteristically bizarre style, featuring elements such as 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 undisclosed due to its complex narrative. Kojima has, however, confirmed which characters will not be returning. IGN's review of the first Death Stranding game awarded it a 6/10, stating: "Death Stranding delivers a fascinating world of supernatural sci-fi, but its gameplay struggles to support its weight."