Hideo Kojima Is Confronting His Own Mortality When Looking to the Future

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Hideo Kojima, the mind behind games like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, has been increasingly focused on the idea of mortality. This week, he hosted a broadcast celebrating the 10th anniversary of his studio, Kojima Productions. The event highlighted the studio’s achievements so far and offered a glimpse at upcoming projects, including the Xbox horror game *OD* and a currently unnamed game for the PlayStation 6, known as *Physint*.

What stood out most from the presentation was Hideo Kojima repeatedly talking about his own death. While often said jokingly – especially when discussing the studio’s plans for the next decade – his repeated references offer a surprisingly honest glimpse into his personal struggles.

“I Don’t Know If I’ll Be Alive”

It’s understandable if you didn’t have time for the Kojima Productions anniversary event – it lasted around three hours! The broadcast included appearances from big names like Phil Spencer, George Miller, and Guillermo del Toro. While the final hour featured a discussion hosted by Geoff Keighley, most of the event focused on Kojima Productions’ plans for the next ten years. During this, Kojima began to share his thoughts on his own future and mortality.

Hideo Kojima, discussing Kojima Productions’ plans for 2030-2035-what he calls “Phase Three”-joked that he might not live to see those plans come to fruition. He said, “I don’t know if I’ll be alive, but Phase Three is coming,” with a laugh. This wasn’t a serious concern, but the first of several similar comments he made about the future.

Later in the presentation, Kojima briefly discussed *Physint*, the highly anticipated new game from Kojima Productions expected to release between 2030 and 2035. Details about the game itself were limited, as it’s still early in development. However, Kojima emphasized his dedication to the project, stating simply, “I can’t die until I finish this project.”

Kojima’s recent preoccupation with death stems from personal health issues he experienced earlier this year, as he shared in a GQ Magazine profile. These health problems have led him to feel a sense of urgency, believing he has limited time to accomplish his creative goals.

In a recent interview, Kojima admitted to feeling anxious and pressured. While he initially believed independence would give him unlimited creative freedom, he’s realized there are still limitations. He’s constantly brimming with new, unconventional ideas, but worries that pursuing them could jeopardize the financial stability of his studio and, consequently, the livelihoods of his team and their families – a responsibility he feels deeply.

Kojima Continuing to Make Games at His Age Is a Rarity

At 62, Hideo Kojima is an unusual case – most game creators his age have stepped back from directing. Many of his peers, like Shigeru Miyamoto, Shinji Mikami, and Hironobu Sakaguchi, now focus on producing or supervising rather than the hands-on work of game development. While a few creators of his age still direct games, Kojima is increasingly rare in continuing to do so.

This year, Hideo Kojima was managing several projects at once: Death Stranding 2, OD, and Physint. On top of that, he was also producing both a Death Stranding movie and animated series, all while overseeing the entire operation of Kojima Productions. It’s safe to say he’s incredibly busy, and it appears this constant workload is starting to affect him.

I’m just too tired and exhausted these days.

— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) December 19, 2023

Hideo Kojima has been very open about feeling drained from his work, even sharing on social media in late 2023 that he’s simply “too tired and exhausted.” While he tries to combat this by collaborating with people he enjoys, it doesn’t seem to be fully relieving his fatigue.

He shared at the anniversary celebration that being around people he enjoys brings him a lot of joy and energy. He explained it motivates him, saying it gives him something to look forward to. However, he also admitted that his demanding schedule is starting to take a toll on his health.

It’s common to feel more tired as you get older, so what Hideo Kojima is experiencing isn’t unusual. However, what *is* different is his determination to never retire. Instead of slowing down, he’s actually increasing his workload. He’s even said he wants to work until he dies, which is admirable, but will likely mean he continues to struggle with exhaustion.

Kojima, Please Take Care of Yourself

I’m a big fan of Kojima, and honestly, I’m starting to worry about him. It’s just… the amount of work he takes on, and the pressure that must come with it, is insane! What’s really amazing, though, is that he *still* manages to be so creative despite everything. It’s incredible to see.

More than anything, I hope the next ten years allow Hideo Kojima to prioritize his well-being. It would be amazing to see him still making games – or even movies – well into his 80s or 90s, and thankfully, he’s already said that’s what he’s aiming for by focusing on his health.

In a recent birthday message, Kojima shared his commitment to continue creating throughout his life. He emphasized the importance of a healthy work-life balance – ‘not overworking’ and ‘taking it easy’ – and plans to remain dedicated to his craft well into his 60s, prioritizing his health along the way.

Hideo Kojima has already achieved more than most game developers could ever hope for. His impressive body of work speaks for itself, and his innovative approach to blending gaming and cinema remains as groundbreaking today as it was with the original Metal Gear Solid almost 30 years ago. He could retire now and still be remembered as a legend for years to come.

I admire Kojima’s continued dedication to his work. I also respect his honesty about being aware of his age. While death is inevitable, we often avoid thinking about it and don’t fully cherish our time. Kojima seems to be doing just the opposite, and appears to be valuing every moment more than ever.

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2025-09-24 20:18