"Kojima's 'Forgetting Game' Idea: Play Breaks Cause Memory Loss"

Hideo Kojima's Japanese radio podcast, KOJI10, offers fascinating insights into the mind behind iconic games like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding. In the latest episode (Episode 17), Kojima delves into the innovative use of real-life time passage in video games, discussing both implemented mechanics and unexplored concepts, including an idea that was cut from the upcoming Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

Kojima is well-known for integrating real-world time into gameplay mechanics. He highlights two examples from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004) on the PS2. To enhance the survival experience in the jungle, food acquired in the game would spoil after a few days in real life. Consuming spoiled food could make Snake ill, or players could use it as a weapon by throwing it at enemies.

Death Stranding 2 Cast

View 14 ImagesAnother example from MGS3 involves the boss battle with the elderly sniper, The End. Kojima notes, "Although he is a really tough boss, if the player waits a week, The End will die of old age." If players load their save after a week, they'll find The End deceased, bypassing the battle.

Kojima also shared a concept he considered for Death Stranding 2, where Sam's beard would grow over time, requiring players to shave it. However, this idea was scrapped to avoid portraying Norman Reedus, the actor playing Sam, in an unflattering way. Despite this, Kojima remains open to incorporating similar mechanics in future projects.

The podcast also explored three new game concepts centered around real-life time passage. The first is a life simulation game where players start as a child and age into an elderly person, affecting gameplay mechanics like speed and vision. While younger characters are physically stronger, older ones have more experience, influencing strategic gameplay. Kojima humorously noted, "But no-one would buy it!" though his co-hosts expressed interest in such a game.

Another concept involves a game where players cultivate items like wine or cheese, requiring long-term engagement, suitable for a background or idle game.

Conversely, Kojima proposed a "forgetting game" where the protagonist loses memory and skills if the player doesn't play regularly. If players take breaks, the character forgets crucial abilities, like how to use a gun or their job, eventually becoming immobile. Kojima jokingly suggested players would need to take time off work or school to play it.

As fans eagerly await Death Stranding 2, set to release on June 26, they can look forward to more innovative gameplay. For further details, check out our interview with Kojima and our impressions after playing the first 30 hours of the game.