Hideo Kojima on Creativity and Crunch During Death Stranding 2 Development

Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear series, has recently shared his thoughts on the challenges of maintaining creativity as he grows older. In a series of posts on X/Twitter, Kojima revealed that he is currently navigating the intense "crunch time" phase of game development, a period known for its demanding physical and mental toll on developers. This comes as Kojima Productions works on "Death Stranding 2: On the Beach," slated for release in 2025, which is likely the project in question given its proximity to launch.

Kojima detailed the multifaceted nature of crunch time, which involves not only core development tasks like mixing and voice recording but also an array of other responsibilities such as writing comments, explanations, essays, interviews, and participating in discussions. "It’s incredibly tough," he admitted, highlighting the strain of this period. Despite the industry's general move away from crunch due to recent controversies, it's notable for a studio head like Kojima to openly discuss its occurrence.

While Kojima did not explicitly mention "Death Stranding 2" in his posts, the game's impending release date suggests it's the focus of this crunch phase. Other projects at Kojima Productions, including "OD" and "Physint," appear to be in earlier stages of development without set release windows.

Interestingly, it's not the crunch itself that has prompted Kojima to reflect on his future. Instead, his purchase of a Ridley Scott biography has led him to ponder his own career longevity. At 61, Kojima expressed a desire to remain creative for as long as possible, drawing inspiration from Ridley Scott, who, at 87, continues to be active and created the masterpiece "Gladiator" past the age of 60. "At this age, I can't help but think about how much longer I'll be able to stay 'creative,'" Kojima mused, acknowledging the race against time he feels every day.

Fans of Kojima's work can take solace in his determination to continue creating, despite nearing four decades in the industry. An extended gameplay reveal of "Death Stranding 2" in September showcased its characteristic 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 its complex themes leave much to be anticipated.

In IGN's review of the original "Death Stranding," the game received a 6/10, praised for its intriguing supernatural sci-fi world but criticized for gameplay that struggled to support its ambitious narrative. As Kojima continues to push the boundaries of game development, his fans eagerly await the next chapter in the "Death Stranding" saga.