Hideo Kojima's 'Forgetting Game': Play Too Long Without Breaks, Lose Key Memories and Skills

Hideo Kojima's Japanese radio podcast, KOJI10, offers a fascinating glimpse 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-world time mechanics in video games. He not only reflects on time-related features he's employed in past projects but also shares intriguing concepts he hasn't yet brought to life, including a scrapped idea from the highly anticipated Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

Kojima is renowned for his creative use of a console or PC's internal clock to enhance gameplay. He cites two notable examples from 2004's Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater on the PS2. To heighten the survival experience in the jungle, the game made perishable food spoil after a few days in real time. Consuming spoiled food could cause Snake severe illness, or players could creatively use it as a weapon against unsuspecting enemies.

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Another clever use of real-world time was in the battle against the elderly sniper, The End. Kojima recalls, "Although he is a really tough boss, if the player waits a week, The End will die of old age." By loading a saved game from the battle a week later, players witness a cutscene where Snake finds The End deceased.

Kojima also reveals an idea he considered for Death Stranding 2, where protagonist Sam's beard would grow over time, requiring players to shave it to keep him looking neat. However, this concept was abandoned out of concern for Norman Reedus's image, as Kojima didn't want to portray the star as unkempt. Yet, he hints at potentially revisiting this idea in future projects.

Furthermore, Kojima shares three new game concepts centered around real-world time mechanics. The first is a life simulation where players start as a child and age into an elderly adult, facing enemies with strategies that evolve as their character's physical abilities and knowledge change. "But no-one would buy it!" Kojima humorously remarks, though his co-hosts expressed enthusiasm for such an unconventional "Kojima-like game."

Another concept involves players nurturing products like wine or cheese, which mature over time, suggesting a game that could function as a background or idle experience. On the opposite end, Kojima proposes a "forgetting game" where the protagonist loses crucial skills and memories if the player doesn't engage regularly. This forgetfulness escalates until the character can no longer move, humorously suggesting players might need to take time off work or school to keep up.

As fans eagerly await the release of Death Stranding 2 on June 26, many are likely to take time off to immerse themselves in Kojima's latest creation. For more insights, check out our interview with Kojima and our impressions after playing through the first 30 hours.