Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear series, recently expressed concerns about his creative longevity, coinciding with the announcement that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is currently in "crunch time."
Kojima's reflections, shared via X/Twitter, revealed his weariness and the intense demands of this crucial development phase. He described "crunch" as the most physically and mentally taxing period in game development, citing the multitude of tasks beyond game creation, including writing, interviews, and other non-game related work.
While Kojima didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2 as the project undergoing crunch, given its 2025 release date and the typical timing of crunch periods towards the end of development, it's the most likely candidate. His other projects, OD and Physint, are seemingly 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 isn't solely attributed to the current crunch. Instead, it seems spurred by reading a Ridley Scott biography, prompting reflection on his own extensive career. The 61-year-old acknowledges the uncertainty of his creative lifespan, questioning whether he has 10, 20, or more years of creative energy left. He cites Ridley Scott's continued success at 87 as inspiration.
Despite these reflections, Kojima remains committed to his craft, assuring fans that retirement isn't imminent, even after nearly four decades in the industry.
September brought an extended gameplay showcase for Death Stranding 2, revealing its characteristically bizarre elements: a unique photo mode, dancing figures, and a character portrayed by George Miller (director of Mad Max). A story introduction was also unveiled in January, yet much of the narrative remains shrouded in mystery, though Kojima has clarified which characters won't be returning. IGN's review of the first Death Stranding game (6/10) praised its unique world but criticized gameplay inconsistencies.
