Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear series, recently shared his reflections on creativity and the demanding nature of game development. His tweets revealed that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is currently in "crunch time," a period he describes as "the most demanding period of game development—both physically and mentally."
Kojima detailed the intense workload, encompassing tasks beyond game development, including writing, interviews, and other non-game-related work. While he didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2, it's the most likely project undergoing this crunch period, given its anticipated 2025 release and the typical timing of crunch towards the end of development. His other projects, OD and Physint, are seemingly in earlier stages.
This intense period, however, doesn't seem to be the sole reason behind Kojima's contemplation of his future. Reading Ridley Scott's biography appears to have prompted introspection about his own creative longevity. At 61, Kojima questions how much longer he can remain creatively active, expressing a desire to continue but acknowledging the race against time. He cites Scott's continued success at 87 as inspiration.
Despite these reflections, Kojima assures fans he's committed to continuing his work, despite a near four-decade career in the gaming industry.
Death Stranding 2's gameplay, showcased in September, maintains the series' signature bizarre style, featuring elements like a unique photo mode and unexpected characters, including one portrayed by George Miller, director of Mad Max. While story details remain shrouded in mystery, Kojima has confirmed certain characters won't be returning. The first Death Stranding received a 6/10 review from IGN, praising its unique world but criticizing its gameplay.
