Hideo Kojima Explores Time-Based Gameplay in Upcoming Titles

Hideo Kojima’s KOJI10 podcast offers a glimpse into the creative mind behind Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding. In Episode 17, Kojima discussed innovative ways to integrate real-world time into video game mechanics, reflecting on past projects and revealing unused concepts, including one initially planned for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

Kojima has long experimented with gameplay tied to a console or PC’s internal clock.

He highlighted two mechanics from 2004’s Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater on the PS2. To enhance the survival experience, food collected in-game would spoil after a few days in real time. Consuming rotten food could sicken Snake, or players could weaponize it by throwing it at enemies.

Death Stranding 2 Cast

In MGS3, Kojima also used the system clock for the boss fight against The End, an elderly sniper. “He’s a formidable opponent, but if players wait a week, The End dies of old age,” Kojima explained. Loading a save file after a week triggers a cutscene where Snake finds The End deceased.

“I’ve considered letting characters’ hair grow in games,” Kojima shared. “For Death Stranding 2, I planned for Sam’s beard to grow over time, requiring players to shave it to keep him presentable. But since Norman Reedus is a major star, I didn’t want him looking unkempt.” Kojima noted this idea might appear in a future project.

Kojima proposed three game concepts centered on real-time progression. The first mimics life’s stages: “You start as a newborn, grow into a child, then an adult. As a teen, you’re fast but less experienced; by 60, you’re slower but wiser, impacting how you confront enemies.” While Kojima doubted its commercial appeal, his podcast co-hosts were intrigued by the concept.

Another idea involves crafting items like wine or cheese that mature over time, ideal for an idle or background game requiring long-term engagement.

Conversely, Kojima envisioned a “forgetting game” where players must act quickly. If breaks are too long, the protagonist forgets critical skills, like shooting or their role in the story, eventually becoming immobile. “Players might need a week off to finish it,” Kojima joked.

Fans may clear their schedules when Death Stranding 2 launches on June 26. For more, explore our interview with Kojima and our thoughts after playing the first 30 hours.