Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear series, has shared his thoughts on the sustainability of his creative journey amidst revealing that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is currently in the intense "crunch time" phase of development. Through a series of X/Twitter posts, Kojima expressed his exhaustion and highlighted the challenges of this crucial stage in game development.
Crunch time, a period where game developers often work extended hours and even on days off, has been a controversial topic in the industry, with many studios pledging to avoid it. However, Kojima's candid admission about his studio's current situation is a rare insight from a studio head. He described crunch time as "the most demanding period of game development — both physically and mentally," noting the myriad tasks he's juggling, including mixing, Japanese voice recording, and various non-game-related duties.
While Kojima did not explicitly mention Death Stranding 2, the game, slated for a 2025 release, is likely the project in question, given that crunch typically occurs towards the end of development. Kojima Productions is also working on other titles, such as OD and Physint, but these appear to be in earlier stages without set release dates.
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
Despite the rigors of crunch, it's not this period that's prompting Kojima to contemplate retirement. Instead, his purchase of a Ridley Scott biography has led him to reflect on his career longevity. At 61, Kojima muses, "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." He draws inspiration from Ridley Scott, who, at 87, remains active and created Gladiator past the age of 60.
Kojima's fans can rest assured that he remains committed to his craft, despite nearly four decades in the industry. An extended gameplay showcase of Death Stranding 2 in September revealed the game's characteristic eccentricity, featuring a bizarre photo mode, dancing puppet men, and a character portrayed by George Miller, the director of Mad Max. An introduction to its story was shared in January, though much remains mysterious due to its complex themes. Kojima has confirmed the absence of certain characters from the sequel. IGN's review of the original Death Stranding gave it a 6/10, praising its fascinating supernatural sci-fi world but critiquing its gameplay.
