Hideo Kojima, the visionary creator behind the Metal Gear series, recently shared his thoughts on the challenges of maintaining creativity as he ages, alongside revealing that his upcoming project, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, is currently in the intense phase known as "crunch time." Through a series of posts on X/Twitter, Kojima expressed feeling "tired" as he navigates this demanding period of game development.
Crunch time, a notorious phase in game development where teams often work extended hours and even on days off, has been a controversial topic in the industry. Many studios have pledged to avoid it following public outcry over employee well-being. However, Kojima's candid admission of being in crunch time is unusual, especially coming from a studio head. He detailed the physical and mental toll, mentioning the mix of tasks including mixing, Japanese voice recording, writing comments, explanations, essays, interviews, discussions, and non-game-related work, labeling it as "incredibly tough."
Although Kojima didn't explicitly mention Death Stranding 2, it's likely the project in question given its slated 2025 release date and the timing of crunch periods near the end of development. Kojima Productions is also working on other titles like OD and Physint, but these seem to be in earlier stages without set release windows.
Kojima's reflections on his career and creativity were sparked not by the current crunch but by his recent purchase of a Ridley Scott biography. At 61, Kojima pondered how much longer he could remain creative, expressing a desire to continue working indefinitely. He referenced Ridley Scott's continued activity at 87 and his creation of Gladiator past the age of 60, using it as inspiration to keep pushing forward despite feeling the pressure of time.
Fans of Kojima's work can take comfort in his determination to keep creating, despite nearly four decades in the industry. In September, an extended gameplay look at Death Stranding 2 showcased its unique elements, including a bizarre photo mode, dancing puppet men, and a character portrayed by George Miller, the director of Mad Max. An introduction to the story was shared in January, though its complex themes leave much to the imagination. Kojima has also confirmed which characters will not return in the sequel. IGN's review of the original Death Stranding gave it a 6/10, noting its fascinating supernatural sci-fi world but critiquing its gameplay.
