Hideo Kojima on Creativity and Crunch During Death Stranding 2 Development

Renowned game designer Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind the Metal Gear series, recently shared his thoughts on creativity and the demanding nature of game development via a series of posts on X/Twitter. As he navigates the challenging "crunch time" with his upcoming title, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Kojima expressed feeling "tired" amidst this critical phase of development.

Crunch time, a period notorious for its intense workload and extended hours, has been a controversial topic in the gaming industry. Many studios have committed to reducing or eliminating crunch following public outcry over its impact on employees. It's noteworthy, therefore, when a studio head like Kojima openly discusses experiencing it. He described crunch as "the most demanding period of game development — both physically and mentally," highlighting the multitude of tasks involved, from mixing and voice recording to writing and interviews.

Although Kojima didn't explicitly mention Death Stranding 2, the timing suggests it's likely the project in question, given its planned 2025 release and the typical late-stage occurrence of crunch. Kojima Productions is also working on other titles, such as OD and Physint, but these appear to be in earlier stages 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, Kojima's reflections on his career and creativity weren't directly tied to the current crunch period. Instead, his purchase of a Ridley Scott biography prompted thoughts on his own longevity in the creative field. At 61, Kojima pondered, "At this age, I can't help but think about how much longer I'll be able to stay 'creative.' 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." He drew inspiration from Ridley Scott, who at 87 remains active and created the iconic film Gladiator past the age of 60.

Kojima's fans can take comfort in his determination to continue his creative journey, despite nearing four decades in the industry. In September, an extended gameplay reveal of Death Stranding 2 showcased its unique elements, including a peculiar photo mode, dancing puppet men, and a character portrayed by George Miller, the director of Mad Max. The game's story was introduced in January, yet its complex themes leave much to the imagination. Kojima has clarified which characters will not return, adding to the anticipation.

IGN's review of the original Death Stranding noted, "Death Stranding delivers a fascinating world of supernatural sci-fi, but its gameplay struggles to support its weight," awarding it a 6/10. As fans eagerly await Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, they can rest assured that Kojima's creative spirit remains undeterred by the challenges of crunch time and the passage of time itself.