Hideo Kojima on Creativity and Crunch During Death Stranding 2 Development

Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear series, has openly discussed his current state of exhaustion and the intense "crunch time" phase that his studio, Kojima Productions, is undergoing. This revelation came via a series of posts on X/Twitter, where Kojima detailed the grueling nature of the final stages of game development. "The most demanding period of game development — both physically and mentally — commonly known as 'crunch time,'" he shared, highlighting the myriad tasks that pile up during this period, including mixing, voice recording, and various writing and communication duties.

While Kojima did not explicitly mention Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, it's widely assumed that the game, slated for release in 2025, is the one currently in crunch. This assumption is based on the timing, as Kojima Productions' other projects, OD and Physint, are still in earlier stages of development without set release dates.

Interestingly, the conversation about crunch comes at a time when many game studios have pledged to avoid such practices due to past controversies. Kojima's candidness about his studio's current situation is therefore notable. "It's incredibly tough," he admitted, acknowledging the physical and mental toll of this phase.

Despite the current crunch, it's not this period that has prompted Kojima to contemplate retirement. Instead, his recent purchase of a Ridley Scott biography has led him to reflect on his own career longevity. At 61, Kojima expressed concerns about his future creativity, stating, "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 drew inspiration from Ridley Scott, who, at 87, remains active and who created the masterpiece Gladiator past the age of 60.

Fans of Kojima's work can take comfort in his determination to continue creating, despite nearing four decades in the video game industry. His recent showcase of Death Stranding 2 gameplay in September further fueled excitement, featuring bizarre elements like a unique photo mode, dancing puppet men, and a character portrayed by George Miller, the director of Mad Max. An introduction to the game's story was also shared in January, though the complex themes leave much to the imagination. Kojima has confirmed some characters will not return, adding to the anticipation.

In IGN's 6/10 review of the first Death Stranding, the game was praised for its fascinating world of supernatural sci-fi, but critiqued for gameplay that struggled to support its ambitious narrative.