Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear series, recently shared his reflections on creativity and the demanding nature of game development, revealing that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is currently in "crunch time."
Kojima's candid X/Twitter posts expressed his fatigue and described the intense pressures of crunch, a period of extended work hours often exceeding typical schedules. While many studios have pledged to avoid crunch following past controversies, Kojima's acknowledgment of its impact on his team is noteworthy. He highlighted the multitude of tasks beyond game development, including writing, interviews, and other non-game-related work, adding to the pressure.
Although Kojima didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2, it's the most likely project experiencing crunch, given its 2025 release date and the typical timing of crunch periods near the end of development. His other projects, OD and Physint, appear to be in earlier stages.
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 his future creativity seems less directly linked to the current crunch and more inspired by reading a Ridley Scott biography. At 61, he questions his remaining creative lifespan, acknowledging the relentless pace of his work. However, he draws inspiration from Scott's continued success at 87, emphasizing his own determination to persevere.
Fans can rest assured; Kojima's dedication to his craft remains strong, despite nearly four decades in the industry. September's gameplay reveal of Death Stranding 2 showcased its characteristically bizarre elements, including a unique photo mode, unusual characters, and the directorial involvement of George Miller. While story details remain shrouded in mystery, Kojima has confirmed some character absences. The first Death Stranding received a 6/10 review from IGN, praising its world-building but criticizing its gameplay.
