Kojima's 'Forgetting Game': Play or Lose Abilities

Hideo Kojima's Japanese radio podcast, KOJI10, continues to offer fans a deep dive into the mind behind iconic titles like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding. In the latest episode, Episode 17, Kojima delved into the innovative use of real-world time mechanics in video games, reflecting on past implementations and unveiling new concepts, including a discarded idea from the upcoming Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

Kojima, renowned for his creative use of system clocks in gameplay, began by discussing two notable examples from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater on the PS2. In this game, the realism of jungle survival was enhanced by having food spoil after a few real-life days, affecting Snake's health or providing a unique weapon against enemies. Additionally, the game's clock was integral to the boss fight against The End, where waiting a week in real life would result in the boss's death due to old age.

Looking forward, Kojima revealed a concept for Death Stranding 2 that involved Sam's beard growing over time, requiring the player to shave it to maintain his appearance. This idea was ultimately scrapped due to concerns over the character's star appeal, portrayed by Norman Reedus. However, Kojima remains open to exploring similar mechanics in future projects.

Kojima also shared three intriguing game concepts centered around real-world time mechanics. The first is a life simulation where the player ages from childhood to old age, with physical abilities declining and experience increasing, impacting gameplay strategy. Despite his skepticism about its marketability, his co-hosts showed enthusiasm for this "Kojima-like game."

Another concept involves a game where players cultivate products like wine or cheese, requiring long-term engagement akin to idle games. In contrast, the "forgetting game" concept challenges players to play continuously, as the character loses essential skills and memories over time, culminating in the inability to progress if the game is neglected.

As Death Stranding 2: On The Beach approaches its release date on June 26, fans eagerly await more innovative gameplay elements from Kojima. For further insights into the game, check out our interview with Kojima and our impressions after experiencing the first 30 hours of gameplay.

Death Stranding 2 Cast

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