Hideo Kojima @ Famitsu
by GameSpot, 04.06.2003

The director of MGS3 talks about the main character's identity, as well as the gameplay mechanics featured in the new game.

In the latest issue of Famitsu magazine, Metal Gear Solid 3 director Hideo Kojima revealed a number of details on the upcoming sequel. Kojima confirmed that Metal Gear Solid 3 takes place in the 1960s, and as seen in the E3 demo, the theme is survival in the jungle. Kojima explained that about two-thirds of the game will take place against the backdrop of nature, with jungles, waterfalls, and caves. The remaining third will be in buildings. Kojima commented that this will make Metal Gear Solid 3 feel like a true espionage game, as players will have to fight and play hide and seek against the enemies who are tracking them.

Showing the back of the E3 pamphlet, Kojima pointed out that using the lowercase letters on the design, you can spell "Big Boss." When asked if the main character is Solid Snake, Kojima did not give a direct answer. Instead, he said that the E3 trailer shows that the main character is missing an eye, and that he deliberately included a close-up scene to show it.

Kojima said that Metal Gear Solid 3's gameplay system will be different from that of the previous games. While he could not release any details, he said the change is "like doing both an internal and external surgery." Kojima also noted that foreign players will probably raise their hands with joy, but he isn't quite sure what the reactions coming from Japanese RPG players will be.

Although the specific gameplay mechanics are still being discussed, Kojima confirmed that many things can be eaten in Metal Gear Solid 3. The player can carry the food around, but it will probably spoil. Some foods can also be used as weapons--snakes are one example, and the beehive shown in the E3 trailer is another. Some animals, such as the dogs used by enemy soldiers to track down the player, cannot be eaten. When asked if players can be found if they leave the food lying around, Kojima laughed and said that it's a secret for now.

Kojima added that he does not want to add vehicles that require a separate control scheme, but Metal Gear Solid 3 will most likely have at least one. Kojima laughingly said that a lot of the foreign press kept asking him in the E3 conference if the bike in the trailer could be ridden, so he reacted positively to it.

As seen in the E3 trailer, one of the key phrases in Metal Gear Solid is "Back to the origin." Kojima said that this has a number of meanings. One is from the users' reaction to Raiden in Metal Gear Solid 2. In Metal Gear Solid 3, the player character will stay the same and not change around. Unlike Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3 will center its attention on the gameplay rather than the storyline, putting more focus on survival and action. Kojima also hinted that "Back to the origin" may apply in some way to Big Boss as well.

Metal Gear Solid 3 also features a new graphics engine. Kojima explained that man-made structures such as buildings are easy to render and hit-detect, but nature tends to have crests and gaps that make the game's calculations difficult, especially when the player, enemy, and other objects interact with them. The height differences in the game will allow for some strategic gameplay, but they may also hinder the player--if players jump off a cliff or a tree that is too high, the main character's legs will be broken.

Kojima declined to comment on the main theme of Metal Gear Solid 3. However, he confirmed that there will be one theme that ties the three Metal Gear Solid titles together. Kojima also noted that there will be an antiwar theme in Metal Gear Solid 3. Giving a few examples, Kojima explained that there are probably some people who do not know that a Soviet Union used to exist. Kojima also gave an example that Afghanistan is seen as an enemy by America right now, but they used to be allies. In addition, Kojima stated that he believes it is important to know what to protect, since history and humankind's values tend to change dramatically as time passes. Kojima stopped commenting at this point, saying that he was about to give away the story of Metal Gear Solid 3. Kojima also promised that--much like Metal Gear Solid 2--the new game will have some kind of a huge surprise when it comes time to play.

When asked about Metal Gear Online, Kojima said that it will probably come out, but he isn't sure when. Kojima explained that he could just release the game right now, but he doesn't think it's fun in its current state. While there doesn't seem to be any technical roadblocks to creating an online Metal Gear Solid, other than creating a network infrastructure, Kojima questions its value as a product. Kojima noted on the side that Metal Gear Solid 3 will have some support for the PlayStation 2's broadband adaptor, and there may be some bonuses for using it. Kojima said it depends on how widespread the broadband adaptor becomes, but he plans to at least release monthly camouflage patterns for the game.

It was also revealed in the article that enemies will move around in groups of four this time, and each one will have its own AI. There will be a "stalking mode" that will make players more difficult to find, but it will also make them slower and burn up more energy. Moreover, Kojima said that the actual Metal Gear Solid 3 game will be more dynamic than the trailer. Metal Gear Solid 3 will support Dolby 5.1 surround sound, which will come handy when listening for the enemy. Real-time weather changes are currently under consideration for the game. Additionally, the paper craft distributed during E3 becomes a Metal Gear Rex when completed, and the remaining parts can be used to create a mystery vehicle that has a deep connection to Metal Gear Solid 3.

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