Hideo Kojima's 'Forgetting Game': Protagonist Loses Memory, Abilities with Long Breaks

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 delved into how real-life time can be integrated into video games, discussing both implemented mechanics and unused concepts, including one that was cut from the upcoming Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

Kojima is well-known for his innovative use of real-world time in gameplay. He highlighted two examples from 2004’s Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater for the PS2. To enhance the realism of jungle survival, food in the game would spoil after a few days in real time. Consuming rotten food could cause Snake to become violently ill, or players could use it as an unconventional weapon by throwing it at enemy soldiers.

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Another example from MGS3 involves the boss battle with 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.” If players load their in-battle save after a week, they are treated to a cutscene where Snake finds The End deceased.

Kojima also revealed an idea that was initially planned for Death Stranding 2, where Sam's beard would grow over time, requiring players to shave it. However, this concept was scrapped to avoid portraying Norman Reedus, a major star, in an unflattering way. Kojima mentioned that this mechanic might be used in future projects.

During the podcast, Kojima introduced three game concepts centered around real-life time mechanics. The first is a life simulation game where players start as a child and age into an elderly person. As the character ages, their physical abilities change, affecting gameplay strategy. While Kojima humorously noted that "no-one would buy it," his co-hosts were enthusiastic about the idea.

Another concept involves creating and maturing products like wine or cheese over time, suggesting a potential idle or background game. On the opposite end, Kojima proposed a "forgetting game" where the protagonist loses important information and abilities if the player takes breaks. The character's forgetfulness increases until they can no longer move, jokingly suggesting players might need to take a week off to play it.

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