Metal Gear Creator Grapples with Creativity Dilemma

Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear series, recently shared his reflections on creativity and the demanding nature of game development, particularly the "crunch time" currently impacting Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.

In a series of X/Twitter posts, Kojima expressed his fatigue, candidly describing the intense pressure of "crunch" – a period of extended work hours often exceeding typical schedules. While many studios have pledged to avoid this practice, Kojima's public acknowledgement of its impact on his team is noteworthy. He detailed the multifaceted demands, encompassing tasks beyond game development itself, including writing, interviews, and other non-game related commitments. He described the process as "incredibly tough."

While Kojima didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2, it's the most likely project experiencing crunch, given its anticipated 2025 release and the typical timing of this intense development phase. His other projects, OD and Physint, appear to be in earlier stages of production.

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 spurred by reading a Ridley Scott biography. At 61, he questions his creative longevity, pondering whether he has 10, 20, or more years of creative output ahead. He cites Ridley Scott's continued success at 87 as inspiration.

Despite these reflections, Kojima's commitment to his craft remains strong. Fans can rest assured that retirement isn't imminent, even after nearly four decades in the industry.

Death Stranding 2's gameplay, showcased in September, maintained the series' characteristically bizarre style, featuring unique elements such as a peculiar photo mode and unexpected characters like one portrayed by George Miller, director of Mad Max. While a story introduction was released in January, much of the narrative remains shrouded in mystery. Kojima has, however, confirmed which characters will not be returning. The first Death Stranding received a 6/10 review from IGN, praising its world-building but criticizing its gameplay.