Kojima Questions Creativity as 'Death Stranding 2' Faces Crunch

Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind Metal Gear, recently revealed that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is currently in the demanding "crunch time" phase of development, prompting reflections on his creative longevity.

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 for prolonged periods. While many studios strive to avoid crunch, Kojima's public acknowledgment of its impact on his team is unusual. He highlighted the multifaceted demands beyond game development, including writing, interviews, and other non-game related tasks, calling the experience "incredibly tough."

While Kojima didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2, it's the most likely project experiencing crunch, given its 2025 release date and the typical timing of this intensive phase in game development. 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 retirement, however, seems less directly tied to this particular crunch period and more to a broader reflection on his career, possibly spurred by reading a Ridley Scott biography. The 61-year-old acknowledged questioning how much longer he can maintain his creative drive, expressing a desire to continue but acknowledging the uncertainty of his creative lifespan. He cited Ridley Scott's continued success at 87 as inspiration.

Despite these reflections, fans can rest assured that Kojima remains committed to his craft, showcasing his enduring passion after nearly four decades in the industry.

Death Stranding 2's gameplay, showcased in September, maintained the series' characteristically bizarre style, featuring a unique photo mode, dancing figures, and a character portrayed by George Miller (Mad Max director). While a story introduction was released in January, many narrative elements remain undisclosed. Kojima has, however, confirmed certain characters' absence from the sequel. The first Death Stranding received a 6/10 rating from IGN, praising its unique world but criticizing its gameplay.