Hideo Kojima, the legendary game designer behind masterpieces like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, recently took to X to ponder his own mortality and the future of his illustrious career.
In a candid post, the auteur admitted, ‘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 was past 60 – my current stage in life – he created the masterpiece Gladiator.’
This reflection on his own longevity comes at a time of intense creative output for the renowned designer. Having broken away from Konami in 2015, Kojima has been blazing his own trail, delivering the critically acclaimed Death Stranding and currently working on its highly anticipated sequel, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, alongside a cinematic adaptation. He’s also collaborating with Jordan Peele on a new horror game, called OD, which was first announced back in 2023.
While Kojima hasn’t announced any concrete retirement plans, his recent post suggests that the clock is ticking. 2026 marks a significant milestone for him – the 40th anniversary of his entry into the game development world.
Whether he chooses to celebrate this landmark with a final masterpiece or continue pushing the boundaries of interactive storytelling remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: the world of gaming will be forever impacted and indebted to the visionary genius of Hideo Kojima.
