Hideo Kojima's Japanese radio podcast, KOJI10, offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative 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-world time passage in video games, reflecting on mechanics he has employed in the past and revealing new ideas he has yet to implement, including a concept he ultimately excluded from the upcoming Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

Kojima is well-known for integrating the console or PC's internal clock into gameplay mechanics. He references two notable examples from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, released in 2004 for the PS2. To enhance the survival aspect in a jungle setting, food items in the game would spoil after a few days in real time. Consuming rotten food could lead to Snake becoming severely ill, or players could cleverly use it as a weapon by throwing it at enemy soldiers.

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Another example from the same game is the iconic battle against the elderly sniper, The End. Kojima notes that if players wait a week in real time before loading their save, The End succumbs to old age, resulting in a unique cutscene where Snake finds him deceased.

Looking forward, Kojima shares an idea he considered for Death Stranding 2, where Sam's beard would grow over time, requiring players to shave it to keep him looking neat. However, due to concerns about Norman Reedus's image, this feature was scrapped. Kojima hints that this concept might find its way into a future project.

Kojima also discusses three innovative game concepts centered around the passage of real-world time. The first is a life simulation where players start as children and age into their 70s or 80s over time. As characters age, their physical abilities decline, but their knowledge and experience grow, impacting gameplay strategies. Although Kojima humorously suggests that such a game might not sell, his podcast co-hosts express keen interest in experiencing this unique gameplay.

Another concept involves creating and nurturing products like wine or cheese, which require long-term player engagement and could work as a background or idle game. Conversely, Kojima proposes a "forgetting game" where players must play frequently to prevent the main character from losing crucial skills and memories. If neglected, the character would eventually become immobilized, necessitating a significant time commitment from players.

With the anticipation building for Death Stranding 2's release on June 26, many fans are likely planning to take time off to immerse themselves in Kojima's latest creation. For more insights into the game, don't miss our interview with Kojima and our impressions after playing through the first 30 hours.