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-life time passage in video games, sharing insights into mechanics he's used in the past and revealing new concepts he's considered.
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 Images
Another 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 has succumbed to time, offering a unique way to bypass the fight.
Kojima also shared a concept he considered for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, where Sam's beard would grow over time, requiring players to shave it to keep him looking neat. However, this idea was scrapped due to concerns about Norman Reedus's image. "As Norman Reedus is a big star, I didn’t want to make him look uncool!" Kojima explained, though he hinted at possibly using this mechanic 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 their physical abilities and strategic approach to gameplay. "But no-one would buy it!" Kojima humorously remarked, though his co-hosts showed enthusiasm for such a unique game.
Another concept involves a game where players cultivate items like wine or cheese, requiring long-term engagement and patience, suitable for a background or idle game.Lastly, Kojima proposed a "forgetting game" where the protagonist loses important skills and memories if the player doesn't play regularly. "Players would have to take a week off work or school to play it," Kojima jested, highlighting the urgency and intensity this mechanic would bring to the gameplay.
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, check out our interview with Kojima and our impressions after playing the first 30 hours of the game.
