Kojima Shares Final USB Stick of Ideas with Staff

Following the reveal of several discarded video game concepts—including a ‘Forgetting Game’ in which the protagonist progressively loses key memories and skills after extended breaks from play—Hideo Kojima has now disclosed that he has entrusted his staff with a USB drive containing game ideas to be used after his death.

As reported by VGC, Kojima shared this sobering revelation with Edge magazine, reflecting on the shift in perspective he experienced during the pandemic.

“Reaching 60 wasn’t as pivotal as the realizations I had during the pandemic,” he explained. “At that time, I became seriously ill and underwent eye surgery. Before that, I never felt my age—I assumed I could continue creating indefinitely.

“But falling ill left me unable to create, and I witnessed many around me pass away. It brought me face to face with mortality. Although I recovered, it made me question: how many years do I really have left to make games or films? Maybe ten?”

This reflection prompted Kojima not only to take on several new projects but also to compile what he calls a “digital will”—a USB stick intended to guide Kojima Productions after his passing.

“I gave my assistant a USB containing all my ideas, almost like a will,” he said. “That way, perhaps the studio could continue creating even after I’m gone. It’s a concern of mine—what becomes of Kojima Productions? I don’t want them to merely manage existing IP.”

Earlier this week, IGN covered Kojima’s thoughts on integrating real-world time into video games. Beyond discussing time-based mechanics from his past titles, he revealed unused concepts—including one cut from the upcoming Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.

“I’ve considered having characters’ hair grow in games,” Kojima shared on a recent episode of his Japanese radio show KOJI10. “Originally, Death Stranding 2 was going to feature Sam’s beard growing over time, requiring the player to shave it. If neglected, he’d look unkempt. But Norman Reedus is such a major star—I didn’t want to make him look awkward.” Still, Kojima hasn’t ruled out using the idea in a future title.

Kojima also unveiled three game concepts built around the passage of real time. The first is a life-simulator: “You begin as a newborn, grow into a child, then an adult. Throughout the game, you battle various enemies. Keep playing, and your character ages into their 70s or 80s—their physical abilities decline, eyesight weakens. As a teen, you’re faster, but by 60 you’ve slowed down.” Kojima explained that youth brings physical prowess, while age offers wisdom and experience—forcing players to adapt their strategies. “But who would buy that?” he joked, though others on the podcast expressed excitement for such a uniquely Kojima-style experience.

Another concept involves creating something that matures over time, like wine or cheese. Players would need to engage gradually over long periods, resembling an idle or background simulation.

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Lastly, Kojima described a “forgetting game” designed to be completed quickly. In this scenario, the protagonist gradually loses knowledge and abilities if the player takes extended breaks. Skip a day, and they might forget how to shoot a gun or recall their mission. The memory loss accumulates until the character becomes immobilized. “You’d practically need to take a week off from work or school to finish it,” Kojima quipped.

It’s an intensely busy period for Kojima and his studio—and now we know why. In addition to Death Stranding 2, Kojima is developing a live-action Death Stranding film with A24, the studio behind Oscar-winning hits like Everything Everywhere All At Once. He’s also working on OD for Xbox Game Studios and Physint, a video game-movie hybrid for Sony.

No release dates have been announced for OD or Physint. In fact, Kojima noted in January that the ongoing video game actors’ strike has impacted both projects, suggesting we may not hear more for some time.