Hideo Kojima's Unconventional Game Ideas: Pushing Interactive Boundaries
While the globe holds its collective breath in anticipation of Death Stranding 2, Hideo Kojima's brain is, as usual, buzzing with concepts that drive the very boundaries of interactive fun. During a recent KOJI10 podcast, the gaming great discussed at some length several of his more "out-there" ideas – the kind that spark imagination but might keep publishers a bit worried.
What If Your Character Forgot How to Play?
Imagine this: you're deeply into a game, with its mechanics mastered, when you step away for a few days. When you return, your character's different. They've lost valuable skills, valuable context about the game world, and regaining those skills is a pain. Kojima asked himself if a game based on such a vision of "forgetting skills." To actually excel at such a game, you'd need to sit down and play marathon, uninterrupted sessions. It's a compelling, if somewhat exhausting, notion!
The Unfolding Saga of an Aging Hero
Yet another intriguing concept by Kojama? A title in which your playable character truly ages during. This would not be a cosmetic change. Imagine their eyesight deteriorating, coordination diminishing, and their run slowing to a slog. The gameplay would have to drastically alter with such physical setbacks. As much as an intensely immersive idea as it is, Kojama himself is aware of the issue: who would fund such an experimental step when enormous sales are not a guarantee?
A History of Bold Ideas
Of course, pushing the limits is a Kojima signature. Fans remain astonished by the ingenuity of "The End" boss battle in Metal Gear Solid 3, where in effect you could simply wait out a week for the veteran sniper to pass away naturally. Already in the eighties, his ambition was on display. He wanted to use a special paint to put on the Snatcher game cartridge that released the smell of blood when heated up by the console – total, if a little creepy, immersion!
The Enduring Spirit of Experimentation
These glimpses into Kojima's thought process remind us why he's such a beloved individual. Yes, some of these "weird" concepts probably will never get past being concepts, but they're a testament to an unshakeable desire to experiment and see what video games can do. And maybe one day a publisher will finally have the courage to let one of these very unconventional ideas see the light of day.
