#interview { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } #interview li { margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; list-style-type: none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; } Get inside the mind of legendary Game Designer, Hideo Kojima, creator of the Metal Gear Series. Exclusive Q&A from PAX 2012 as he reflects on the 25th anniversary of the series.
- If you could do an HD remake of any one of your titles, which one would it be, and why?
- It would be METAL GEAR SOLID. If it was to be arranged in a contemporary way using the latest technology, I think it could result in something quite impressive. However, I don't want to be the one to recreate it.
- Aside from releasing HD remakes of Metal Gear, what else do you have up your sleeve to help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Metal Gear Solid?
- We have trophy support for MGS4, a music CD, an anniversary book, a novel, figurines and toys, apparel items, and a variety of products related to METAL GEAR.
- If Snake didn't become as popular of a character in the Metal Gear Solid series, do you think you have gone another route, story-wise? Perhaps, using "The Boss", or even making the game where it had multiple character scenarios, perhaps, playing through the story of the Cobra Unit during World War II?
- That may have well been a possibility. Instead of a saga centered on Snake, I may have written a story focused on the "FOXHOUND" members, similar as what was done in "X-Men."
- You took a game, Metal Gear Solid, that wasn't originally supposed to even be an entire series, and you turned it into one of the most memorable stories ever seen in gaming. When WAS the "Solid" storyline originally supposed to end, and what would have been done differently?
- I originally intended to end it with "METAL GEAR SOLID." That is the very reason why I introduced his ultimate enemy, "Liquid Snake (clone)," who possessed the same abilities as "Solid Snake." Had that not been the case, I wouldn't have utilized the stereotypical and difficult-to-manipulate character setting of a clone for a main character.
- How did you conceive such a magnificent storyline for this series of games? Where did you gather your inspiration from?
- I believe that this is derived from the game design, story, and setting being handled by the same person. In comparison to movies or novels, there may be some elements that may fall short, however, I strove to build a world and story that worked well with the game.
- To Mr. Kojima, have you ever based any of the Metal Gear characters off of yourself and do you see yourself in any of the characters?
- Not conciously, but "Snake" and I have come a long way together and so to some extent, a little bit of me is reflected in him. Like aging, for example.
- Is there any chance of making a side story with Gray Fox playable ? He is the most memorable and dominant ninja ever to be seen on mgs series,Mgs community can't deny that.
- Gray Fox's younger years is a theme that I'd like to work on someday.
- Have you ever thought of doing something related to Snatcher or Policenauts? Which Metal Gear game are you the most sastified with, and which are you the least sastified with?
- I poured my all into the development of each title at the time and so I am satisfied. However, I can also say that at the same time, there is a part of me that will never be satisfied and that is the reason why I still make games to this day.
- Which Metal Gear game are you the most sastified with and why? Could you share one of your favorite Metal Gear moments?
- I would say "METAL GEAR SOLID." This was developed before the game made a name for itself and so I was able to freely create the game as I desired without pressure and being concerned about whether it would sell or not.
- We all got to Ocelot grow as a character throughout the MGS series, he definitely made the series. What character in the MGS franchise do you think potentially got overlooked?
- That would be Colonel Campbell. It's easy to misinterpret him as a stereotypical military man, however he is actually a much more complex character. However, if I were to further flesh out Campbell, it would have been difficult to maintain the balance with the other characters and so I chose not to delve into that.
- Whats your advice for someone who is trying to be a videogame designer for first steps ?
- Future designers will be working with powerful hardware that possess varied means of expression. That is why more than anything else, direction and presentation skills for video, graphics, music, storytelling, etcetera, will be crucial. If one does not possess talent in that aspect, I believe it will be an uphill battle.
- If you could design a Metal Gear title with a female-lead protagonist, what would she be like and what would separate her from other heroes/characters in other action titles with other titles that have a female lead?
- A combat game featuring a frail female-lead would be difficult to deal with. However, a stong woman, such as The Boss, who exemplifies the unique maternal strengths that only a woman can possess, would make an interesting lead in a game.
- How much time has taken to make the current Fox Engine and is it closed to being completed?
- It's come together and has made a certain degree of progress. Right now, we aren’t making tech demos but are making a game that can actually be played as we polish up the engine’s processing, displays, as well as the usability of the tools. I think we may have finally caught up to the rest of the world. From now, we plan on moving upwards to new heights.
- Which is your favorite character from the Metal Gear saga, and why?
- The number one spot would probably go to Snake, who has both matured and aged together with me. He started out as a 2D character that could not speak and then evolved into a fleshed out, 3D polygon character capable of speech and expressions, and he even developed wrinkles. Overall, he has beccome a more three-dimensional character in all respects.
Product Overview
METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE takes the renowned METAL GEAR franchise into exciting new territory by focusing on delivering an all-new action experience unlike anything that has come before. Combining world-class development teams at Kojima Productions and PlatinumGames, METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE brings two of the world's most respected teams together with a common goal of providing players with a fresh synergetic experience that combines the best elements of pure action and epic storytelling, all within the expansive MG universe. The game introduces Raiden as the central character; a child soldier transformed into a half-man, half-machine cyborg ninja, equipped with a high-frequency katana blade and a soul fueled by revenge.
In the near future, cyborg technology has become commonplace throughout society. Three years have passed since the collapse of the Patriots system that had been secretly controlling the global power balance from the shadows. However, peace remains elusive. The dissemination of cybernetic technology has triggered instability and conflict as those who control the trade gain increasing power. Furthermore, large 'Private Military Companies', or PMC's, that had been supported and controlled by the Patriots have collapsed, spawning countless rogue entities with origins to larger criminal organizations. These renegade PMCs employing cyborg technology have become increasingly more disruptive shifting policy and power at will. As a member of the peace-keeping PMC 'Maverick Security', Raiden lives by the mantra of protecting and saving lives. But as the world plunges further into asymmetric warfare, the only path that leads him forward is rooted in resolving his past, and carving through anything that stands in his way.
Features
- The latest METAL GEAR console experience featuring an all-new style of frenetic action gameplay and central character, Raiden, a cyborg ninja who uses his High Frequency katana blade to cut through any thing that stands in his vengeful path!
- New game design, the birth of a new type of MG experience: Combining development powerhouses Kojima Productions and PlatinumGames together, METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE will offer a fast & fluid game style centered on katana-based combat within the METAL GEAR universe.
- Advanced technology: Produced by a hybrid team of renowned developers, the in-game technology promises to push the boundaries of graphics, style and lightning-speed action gameplay.
- 'ZanDatsu' cut mechanic: Within the game world, players will be able to take advantage of what has been created- "an all-encompassing cutting plane in real time". Cut anything, anytime, anywhere.
- Epic story in the vein of what MG is known and loved for: The game takes place after the events of METAL GEAR SOLID 4 where the world has fallen into chaos with cyborg crimes & terrorism running rampant in society. Delves into the continuing story of Raiden, a child-soldier turned cyborg ninja who's origins are connected to both METAL GEAR SOLID 2 and METAL GEAR SOLID 4.
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