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, specifically mentioning Death Stranding 2's current "crunch time." His candid X/Twitter posts reveal a blend of exhaustion and determination.

Kojima described the crunch period – a notoriously intense phase of game development involving extended work hours – as "the most demanding period of game development—both physically and mentally." He highlighted the multitude of tasks beyond game development itself, including writing, interviews, and other non-game related work. While he didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2, its 2025 release date makes it the most likely project currently in this phase. Other Kojima Productions titles, OD and Physint, are presumably 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 creative lifespan, however, seems less directly tied to this specific crunch period and more spurred by reading a Ridley Scott biography. At 61, he questions how long he can maintain his creative drive, acknowledging the relentless pressure. He cites Ridley Scott's continued success at 87 as inspiration, highlighting Scott's creation of Gladiator after turning 60.

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

Death Stranding 2's gameplay, showcased in September, remains as unconventional as expected, featuring peculiar elements like a unique photo mode and appearances by figures like Mad Max director George Miller. A January introduction offered a glimpse into the narrative, though much remains shrouded in mystery. Kojima has, however, confirmed which characters will not be returning. The first Death Stranding received a 6/10 review from IGN, praising its unique world but criticizing its gameplay.