Hideo Kojima's 'Forgetting Game': Main Character Loses Memory and Skills if You Pause Too Long

Hideo Kojima's Japanese radio podcast, KOJI10, offers fans a deep dive into the mind behind iconic titles like Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding. In the latest episode (Episode 17), Kojima delves into the fascinating concept of using real-life time passage as a mechanic in video games. He not only reflects on time-related features he's employed in past projects but also unveils innovative ideas he hasn't yet brought to fruition, including a concept that didn't make it into the upcoming Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

Kojima is renowned for his inventive use of real-world time in gameplay. He references two notable examples from 2004's Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater on the PS2. To enhance the survival experience in the jungle, food collected in the game would spoil after a few days in real life. Consuming spoiled food could cause Snake to become violently ill, or players could ingeniously use it as a weapon by throwing it at unsuspecting enemy soldiers.

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Another ingenious use of the system clock was seen in MGS3's battle against the elderly sniper, The End. Kojima reminisces, "Although he is a really tough boss, if the player waits a week, The End will die of old age." By loading an in-battle save a week later, players witness a unique cutscene where Snake discovers The End's demise.

Kojima also shared a concept he considered for Death Stranding 2, where protagonist Sam's beard would grow over time, necessitating regular shaving to maintain a neat appearance. "Originally in Death Stranding 2, I was going to have Sam’s beard gradually grow out over time, and the player would have to shave it. If they didn’t, Sam would end up looking unkempt," he explains. However, due to Norman Reedus's star status, Kojima opted against making him appear less polished. Yet, he hints that such a feature might appear in a future game.

Kojima further explored three innovative game concepts centered around real-time progression. The first is a "game of life" where players start as a child and age over time, affecting their physical abilities and strategies in combat. "It starts out with the player being born, you’re a child and then gradually over time you become an adult. In the game, you fight various enemies... By the time you reach 60 you’ll slow down a bit," Kojima explains, noting that while younger characters are physically stronger, older ones gain wisdom and experience. He humorously adds, "But no-one would buy it!" though his co-hosts expressed excitement about such a "Kojima-like game."

Another idea involves nurturing something over time, like wine or cheese, suggesting a potential idle or background game where players must periodically engage to see progress. Conversely, Kojima proposes a "forgetting game" where the main character gradually loses skills and memories if the player doesn't play daily. "If you don’t play every day, the main character will gradually forget things such as 'how to fire their gun or what their job is.' This forgetfulness builds up until finally the player is unable to move," he says, jokingly suggesting players might need to take time off work or school to keep up.

With Death Stranding 2 set to release on June 26, many fans are eagerly anticipating taking time off to explore Kojima's latest creation. For more insights into the game, check out our interview with Kojima and our impressions after playing through the first 30 hours.