Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind the Metal Gear series, recently expressed concerns about his creative longevity while revealing that Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is currently in the demanding "crunch time" phase of development.

Kojima's reflections, shared via a series of X/Twitter posts, began with an admission of fatigue. He described the crunch period – characterized by extended work hours and days off sacrificed – as the most physically and mentally taxing stage of game development. This is noteworthy, as many studios have pledged to avoid crunch following past controversies. It's unusual for a studio head to publicly acknowledge their team is experiencing it.

Kojima's tweet highlighted the intense workload: "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 non-game-related work. It’s incredibly tough."

While Kojima didn't explicitly name Death Stranding 2, it's the most likely project undergoing crunch, given its 2025 release date and the typical timing of this intense development phase. His studio's other projects, OD and Physint, seem to be in earlier stages of development without confirmed 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

Kojima's contemplation of retirement, however, doesn't appear directly linked to the current crunch. Instead, it seems spurred by reading a Ridley Scott biography. The 61-year-old Kojima questioned how much longer he can maintain his creative drive, stating, "At this age, I can't help but think about how much longer I'll be able to stay 'creative.'" He expressed a desire to continue his work but acknowledged the uncertainty of his creative lifespan. He cites Ridley Scott's continued success at 87 as inspiration.

Despite these reflections, Kojima's fans can rest assured; he remains committed to his craft, even after nearly four decades in the industry.

September brought an extended gameplay preview of Death Stranding 2, showcasing its characteristically bizarre elements: a unique photo mode, dancing figures, and a character portrayed by George Miller, director of Mad Max. A glimpse into the game's narrative was also shared in January, though much remains undisclosed due to its complex themes. Kojima has, however, confirmed some character absences. IGN's review of the first Death Stranding game awarded it a 6/10, praising its unique world but criticizing gameplay shortcomings.