Hideo Kojima Reflects on Creativity as Death Stranding 2 Enters Crunch

The 61-year-old game developer shares the physical and mental toll of crunch time while questioning how long he can continue creating at this pace.

Hideo Kojima confirmed that his studio, Kojima Productions, is in the crunch phase of developing Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, expected to release later this year.
Crunch time involves extended work hours and intense workloads, which Kojima described as physically and mentally demanding.
The 61-year-old developer expressed concerns about how much longer he can maintain his creativity in the gaming industry, likening it to a race against time.
Kojima is currently balancing multiple projects, including Death Stranding 2, the game OD in partnership with Microsoft, and Physint with Sony, alongside a Death Stranding film adaptation with A24.
Despite the challenges, Kojima referenced Ridley Scott's continued creativity at 87 as an inspiration to keep pursuing his passion for game development.