Hideo Kojima's 'Forgetting Game': Pause Too Long, Lose Skills

Hideo Kojima's Japanese radio podcast, KOJI10, offers listeners a unique window into the mind behind iconic games like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding. In the latest episode (Episode 17), Kojima delved into the fascinating concept of integrating real-world time passage into video games, discussing not only mechanics he has previously implemented but also innovative ideas he has yet to explore, including a concept that was ultimately scrapped from the highly anticipated Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

Kojima is well-known for his innovative use of the internal clock in consoles and PCs to enhance gameplay. He reminisced about two standout examples from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater on the PS2, released in 2004. To heighten the survival aspect in the jungle setting, the fresh food players collected would spoil after a few days in real time. Consuming rotten food could make protagonist Snake violently ill, or players could use it strategically as a weapon by throwing it at unsuspecting enemy soldiers.

Death Stranding 2 Cast

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Another clever use of the system clock was in the cat-and-mouse boss battle against the elderly sniper, The End. Kojima shared, "Although he is a really tough boss, if the player waits a week, The End will die of old age." Indeed, by loading the in-battle save a week later, players witness a cutscene where Snake discovers The End has succumbed to the passage of time.

Kojima also unveiled a scrapped concept from Death Stranding 2 where protagonist Sam's beard would grow over time, requiring players to shave it to prevent him from looking unkempt. "However, as Norman Reedus is a big star, I didn’t want to make him look uncool!" Kojima explained, though he hinted at possibly incorporating this mechanic into future projects.

During the podcast, Kojima introduced three novel game concepts centered around real-time progression. The first is a life simulation game where players start as a newborn, grow into adulthood, and eventually age into their 70s or 80s. As characters age, their physical abilities decline, but their knowledge and experience increase, impacting strategic gameplay. "But no-one would buy it!" Kojima humorously noted, though the idea sparked enthusiasm among his fellow podcasters for its quintessential "Kojima-like" nature.

Another concept involves a game where players nurture something that matures over time, such as wine or cheese, suggesting a potential background or idle game that encourages long-term engagement.

Conversely, Kojima proposed a "forgetting game" where the protagonist gradually loses important skills and memories if the player takes too long a break. For instance, neglecting daily play could lead to the character forgetting how to use their gun or even their job, culminating in the player's inability to progress. "Players would have to take a week off work or school to play it," Kojima quipped.

With Death Stranding 2 set to release on June 26, many fans are undoubtedly planning to take time off to immerse themselves in Kojima's latest creation. For more insights into the upcoming game, don't miss our interview with Kojima and our impressions after playing through the first 30 hours.