Hideo Kojima, the visionary behind Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, recently discussed his thoughts on integrating real-world time into video games during an episode of his Japanese radio podcast, KOJI10. Known for his creative approach to gameplay, Kojima shared both past implementations and unused concepts, including an intriguing idea cut from Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.
Time as a Gameplay Mechanic in Kojima’s Past Work
Kojima has long experimented with mechanics tied to a player’s system clock. One notable example comes from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, where food collected in-game would spoil after a few real-world days. Consuming rotten food could make Snake sick—or players could weaponize it by tossing spoiled meals at hungry enemies.
Another clever use of time appeared in the same game during the boss fight against The End, an elderly sniper. Kojima explained that if players waited a full week before reloading their save, they’d find The End had died of old age, bypassing the battle entirely.
Unused Concepts: From Beards to Aging
Kojima revealed that Death Stranding 2 originally included a mechanic where protagonist Sam Porter Bridges’ beard would grow over time, requiring players to shave it regularly. However, the idea was scrapped to avoid making actor Norman Reedus’s character appear unkempt. Still, Kojima hinted that the concept could resurface in a future project.
Bold New Game Ideas Centered on Time
A Life Simulator Where Time Changes Everything
One of Kojima’s most ambitious concepts involves a game where the protagonist ages in real time. Starting as a child, players would grow into adulthood, facing different challenges at each life stage. Younger characters would be faster and stronger, while older ones would gain wisdom but lose physical prowess. Though Kojima joked that such a game might not sell, the podcast’s co-hosts expressed excitement over its potential.
A Slow-Paced Crafting Experience
Another idea revolves around creating products like wine or cheese, where progress depends on real-world time. This would function as a long-term, idle-style game, rewarding patience as players nurture their creations over months or even years.
The “Forgetting Game” – Play Fast or Lose Progress
Perhaps the most unique concept is a game where the protagonist’s memory fades if players take extended breaks. Skills and knowledge—like how to fire a gun or complete missions—would gradually disappear, eventually leaving the character immobilized. Kojima humorously suggested players might need to take a week off just to finish it.
Looking Ahead to Death Stranding 2
With Death Stranding 2 set to launch on June 26, fans are eager to see how Kojima’s latest project pushes boundaries. Whether or not these unused time-based mechanics make it into future games, his inventive approach continues to inspire.