Hideo Kojima Says His New Game Is Now In “Crunch Time,” Wonders How Much Longer He Can Stay Creative
Between Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, Physint, and OD, Hideo Kojima is a very busy developer and keenly aware that time is catching up to him. On X/Twitter, Kojima explained how he’d like to keep being creative for the rest of his life, but as he enters “crunch time” on one of his game projects, he’s not sure how long that’ll be. As Kojima explained, all the work associated with producing a video game combined with “an inevitable pile of other tasks” can take a mental and physical toll on a person.
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 also compared himself to veteran Hollywood director Ridley Scott, who continues to work on big-budget films like last year’s Gladiator sequel. “Even now, at 87, Ridley Scott is still active. And back when he was past 60–my current stage in life–he created the masterpiece Gladiator,” Kojima wrote.
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. Even now, at 87, Ridley Scott is still active. And back when he… https://t.co/HivXYY4PHC
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) January 13, 2025
This isn’t the first time that Kojima has mused about how his physical health. Back in 2021, after he turned 58, Kojima promised to stay creative for as long as he is physically able to do so. “Although my body is failing me, my creativity is not waning yet. Until my brain loses its creative power, I’ll continue to strive to create things. That’s my instinct, and that’s what I love to do,” Kojima wrote at the time.
Currently, Kojima has a lot on his plate. His next game release is expected to be Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, he’s partnered with Microsoft and Oscar-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele to work on the “risky” OD, and Physint was inspired by fans who kept asking him to make another Metal Gear game. On top of all that, there’s the Death Stranding film adaptation that’ll be co-produced by A24, a project that Kojima is hoping will stand out when compared to other video game movies.