Hideo Kojima on Creativity and Crunch During Death Stranding 2 Development

Hideo Kojima, the visionary creator behind the Metal Gear series, has recently shared insights into the challenges of maintaining creativity as he navigates the intense "crunch time" for his upcoming game, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Through a series of X/Twitter posts, Kojima expressed his fatigue and the demanding nature of this critical phase in game development.

Crunch time, a period where developers often work extended hours and sacrifice days off, has been a controversial topic in the gaming industry. Many studios have pledged to minimize or eliminate crunch following public backlash. However, Kojima's candid acknowledgment of being in this phase highlights the pressures even at the top levels of game development.

"The most demanding period of game development—both physically and mentally—commonly known as 'crunch time,'" Kojima stated. He detailed the multifaceted tasks he's juggling, including mixing, Japanese voice recording, writing comments, explanations, essays, interviews, discussions, and other non-game-related work, all of which contribute to the immense pressure he's under.

While Kojima didn't explicitly mention Death Stranding 2, the game's impending 2025 release date makes it the likely project in crunch. Other projects at Kojima Productions, such as OD and Physint, are still in earlier stages of development 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

Interestingly, it's not the crunch period itself 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 trajectory. At 61, Kojima is pondering how long he can sustain his creative output.

"At this age, I can't help but think about how much longer I'll be able to stay 'creative,'" Kojima remarked. "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, fans of Kojima's work can rest assured that he remains committed to his craft. With nearly four decades in the industry, his passion for game development continues to drive him forward.

An extended gameplay reveal for Death Stranding 2 in September showcased the game's signature eccentricity, featuring a bizarre photo mode, dancing puppet men, and a character portrayed by George Miller, the director of Mad Max. Additionally, an introduction to the game's story was shared in January, though much remains mysterious due to its complex themes. Kojima has confirmed which characters will not be returning, adding to the anticipation.

In IGN's review of the original Death Stranding, the game received a 6/10, with the review stating, "Death Stranding delivers a fascinating world of supernatural sci-fi, but its gameplay struggles to support its weight." As fans eagerly await Death Stranding 2, they can expect another deep dive into Kojima's unique vision.