Official MGS3:SE Info' and General Talk Thread.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

We've had Threads on this before but I thought it was time to make an Official one now that it's 2004, and the games release is drawing closer.

What we know already:

-AI has been massively overhauled, and will feature a tracking system in the outdoor environments, as Snake will leave footprints behind when he walks around. Indoors, the AI will be much like that of Sons of Liberty.

-The story won't jump around. It'll flow continuously from the point you land in the jungle to the end of the game.

-Kojima and his team are currently deciding on the level of tracking the dogs will employ - whether they will stop at the water's edge like in a typical Hollywood action film, or whether they will relentlessly track you, like in real life.

-Kojima has also pointed out that infiltration of the base is up to the player, i.e. the player chooses the way he/she gets into the base. There will be multiple entrances.

-The amount of food you eat won't affect your weight (visually), but it will affect the quality of your aiming, movement speed, etc.

-The team is still considering whether or not you can pick ammo and equipment up off guards.

-Radar will be optional, but playing without it will help with immersion.

-There will be less cutscenes in general, and they will be interactive, though Kojima has not shed any light on how this will work.

-Kojima says this will "probably" be his last Metal Gear title, though he will continue the series if he feels nobody else is capable of doing so. ( Don't take that to mean this will actually be the last MGS, just that Kojima won't be heading the development team anymore ).

-David Hayter is doing the Main Characters Voice no matter if its BB or SS.

-The jungle is very large and there are no set paths. Its also entirely seamless so you'll never have to look at any loading screens. Besides the jungle you'll also be going through caves and up mountains. This is where the weather comes into factor. When you're up in the snowy mountains you'll have to dress accordingly or you'll get sick.

-You would be able to download new costumes and camo patterns from Ps2 online.

-5.1 Dolby surround sound during gameplay and cutscenes.

-You carry an animal or food for too long it'll become unhealthy to eat.

-As of right now theres 1 vehicle thats been confirmed and 2 others that are on the maybe list.

-You can pick up snakes and throw em at the enemy to kill them.

-There will be a day/night cycle.

-The inventory system will probably change a bit, you won't
be able carry so many things at once like in previous MGS titles.

-As of now you can move in first person mode but you can't shoot. That might change before release.

-When his stamina meter is low he'll shake when he shoots and it'll become more dificult to sneak up on an enemy(He'll make more noise). His vision may also be blurred making it more difficult to see what dangers may be near.

-The number of weapons hasn't been finalized. Weapons range from handguns, assualt rifles, machine guns, shotguns, sniper rifles, and a few from Mr. Kojima's own imiagination.

-There are over 100 different combinations of camo and face paint.

-The box will be back for the indoor enviroments. Mr. Kojima has a surprise for the jungle.

-The M9 tranqualizer will not be returning.

( Thanks goes to IGN for the information ).

[Tony_samo]

wow great report there, but any word on the Release Date yet?

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Not that I know of, I'm expecting it around Fall in the US and Christmas in Eroupe.
That is just me though, they might bump up the release date as I'm pretty sure the game is almost finished.

[Diablo]

I predict Snake is going to be in it, and it is a sequel and snake is going to die, just my thoughts though.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Originally posted by Diablo23
I predict Snake is going to be in it, and it is a sequel and snake is going to die, just my thoughts though.
Unless the Patriot's have a time machine then I doubt it. And, no one can kill Snake! *slaps him* :mad:

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Malitos_Sahkir
Unless the Patriot's have a time machine then I doubt it. And, no one can kill Snake! *slaps him* :mad:

Lol. i know no one can kill snake, but you never know, IF this is Kojima's last game, wouldn't he want to end the series rather then leaving it out in the open for MGS 4 with a true sequel, i do think MGS 3 is a sequel, and IMO the only way you can end MGS is to kill off Snake...

[Malitos_Sahkir]

You misunderstood it. This is 'Kojima's last time heading the Development Team, this is his last time being Director. It's not actually the last Metal Gear Solid game. It's only 'Kojima retireing from heading the Development Team - he will still stay on as a Producer most likely. It isn't the final Metal Gear game - I'm sorry if that wasn't clear.

[spiderman_2k]

I always thought that MGS2 was his final one, I guess he decided to put things right with the fans after the cruddiness of Raiden

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Malitos_Sahkir
You misunderstood it. This is 'Kojima's last time heading the Development Team, this is his last time being Director. It's not actually the last Metal Gear Solid game. It's only 'Kojima retireing from heading the Development Team - he will still stay on as a Producer most likely. It isn't the final Metal Gear game - I'm sorry if that wasn't clear.

I forgot bout that, but ok, if snake is not gonna die in this one, then its going to be in the next one :p...

I honestly think thats the best way to end MGS

[spiderman_2k]

Im not usually a soppy guy, but I know I would cry if that happened....Very sad of me, but Snake is such an amazing character it would be horrible for him to die...But if he had too..It would have to be doing something incredibly heroic...

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
Im not usually a soppy guy, but I know I would cry if that happened....Very sad of me, but Snake is such an amazing character it would be horrible for him to die...But if he had too..It would have to be doing something incredibly heroic...

I agree, and plus most of the moments in past MGS games are sad, and if Snake had to die, I know Kojima would make it REALLLY sad..

[spiderman_2k]

Yes, Sniper Wolf dying really hit me...Poor Otacon...
EE's death really didn't do anything to me...But seeing Snake and Otacon do that handshake thing and hug, with the MGS music playing in the background (right before Snake went off into Aresnal) was really hard hitting...It was almost as if they never expected to see each other again.

[Inval1d]

If Snake should die, it would be really sad to see. For some reason, I hope that's what happen and I hope it isn't a prequel with Big Boss.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
Yes, Sniper Wolf dying really hit me...Poor Otacon...
EE's death really didn't do anything to me...But seeing Snake and Otacon do that handshake thing and hug, with the MGS music playing in the background (right before Snake went off into Aresnal) was really hard hitting...It was almost as if they never expected to see each other again.

Yea i know, i had chills going down my back for about every second in that scene... Just BRilliant

[Diablo]

holy cow must see Screens... i Guess they got leaked...

http://media.metalgearcentral.com/screens/mgs3/167.jpg



http://media.metalgearcentral.com/screens/mgs3/166.jpg

http://media.metalgearcentral.com/screens/mgs3/165.jpg


Question is... Are these Real?

[spiderman_2k]

Why would they not be real?

[Diablo]

i dunno..

but doesn't it look awesome... look at the stuff on the right hand corner

[spiderman_2k]

They are real, I am interested in the symbols and info in the right hand corner

[Diablo]

i think that stuff means what kind of suit u are wearing and the % stands for how much visible u are

[spiderman_2k]

I dont like that idea, too much like Splinter Cell, that isn't MGS style at all.

[Diablo]

Hey it is "New Setting... New Era.. New etc..."

[Diablo]

http://media.metalgearcentral.com/screens/mgs3/168.jpg

[spiderman_2k]

Yes it is all that, but remeber what happened when Hideo wanted to give us a new outlook on Snake....We ended up with Raiden....

[Diablo]

Well honestly Spidey with Kojima.. we know to expect a suprise... and i think that Konami leaked these pics themselves to confuse us and u never know if that menu thing will actually be there or not..

[Corporal Hicks]

Love the camo metre up there. Will be quite helpful and won't have you guessing if the soldiers can see you or not. :cool:

[cg124]

did Kojima show a pic of raiden before mgs2 came out?

[Diablo]

Originally posted by cg124
did Kojima show a pic of raiden before mgs2 came out?

I'm pretty sure he didn't,

He showed the places where Raiden would be playing but replaced Raiden with Snake..

[spiderman_2k]

I knew about Raiden before, but only because I looked at some spoiler pictures a magazine printed, Hideo tried to keep Raidens character under wraps.

[cg124]

man i was little pissed when i first played mgs2, i only got to play snake for 40 minutes or so and then you play pannsy raiden for the rest of the game. The only good thing about raiden was the abilty to use the sword near the end

[ceci-chan]

Originally posted by Diablo23
Lol. i know no one can kill snake, but you never know, IF this is Kojima's last game, wouldn't he want to end the series rather then leaving it out in the open for MGS 4 with a true sequel, i do think MGS 3 is a sequel, and IMO the only way you can end MGS is to kill off Snake...


How do you know that? What if he finds Naomi? What if he finds a cure to the Foxdie? Who will he end up with..Meryl or Naomi? Hmm..I love thinking about this stuff! But then again...MGS is know for killing off the important people somehow...What if they kill Otacon? What if it is Otacon who will tell the story of Snake to future generations!? AHHH! *goes crazy* :D

[spiderman_2k]

Snake will always be on his own...Thats his nature....Poor Guy.

[Diablo]

More Screens :shock:

http://media.metalgearcentral.com/screens/mgs3/169.jpg
http://media.metalgearcentral.com/screens/mgs3/170.jpg
http://media.metalgearcentral.com/screens/mgs3/171.jpg

[Superchunk]

Camo metre looks great. Good that they made it so you cant carry as much equipment.

[Diablo]

Snake looks awesome in that last pic

[ceci-chan]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
Snake will always be on his own...Thats his nature....Poor Guy.

I know it is soooo sad...:( Why must he always fight alone? :( :(

[spiderman_2k]

Because it makes him a badass...:D

Although I have to admit it, seeing him do the shake hands thing with Otacon, and fighting with Raiden was amazing to see.

[ceci-chan]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
Because it makes him a badass...:D

Although I have to admit it, seeing him do the shake hands thing with Otacon, and fighting with Raiden was amazing to see.

OMG! That was the best part! I was so glad that I fought with Snake! Yeah! Feel my wrath with my lovely Nikita! *ten soldiers gain up on Cecie* Mwahaha! :D

:( I feel so bad for Otacon...E.E! E.E! ;_; Don't cry Hal..it's going to be ok...

Yes Snake is badarse! ;)

[spiderman_2k]

I hope Snake Eater answers some questions instead of making a whole bunch of new ones, Hideo might not do the 4th, which would suck if we dont have answers, but as he has already said, MGS3 will have something to tie them all together...I cant wait.

[ceci-chan]

Oh cool! That'll be the bomb! Crap man! I want to know about those Patriots and the Lalilulelo (how ever you spell it..it to me long to actually say that...)! I want to know whay the hell did they die 100 yrs. ago!? And who's causing all this trouble for Snake!?

[spiderman_2k]

I hope we do find some stuff out about that...I will be pissed if we have to wait for (if it ever happens) MGS4 for answers.

[ceci-chan]

I'll be pissed more if Hideo doesn't do the 4th one! What if it turns into a...a....DMC2!? I couldn't bare it!

[spiderman_2k]

I would hate to see MGS go down in the prime of its life...:(

[ceci-chan]

AGH! Don't think about it! I'm always a devout MGS fan (and I want to stay that way!)...to convert to something else is blasphemous!

[Diablo]

just extrememly can't wait for this game, hey ceci will you be mad if its not snake?

[spiderman_2k]

It's not snake is it?

I thought New Era and the shot of him with only 1 eye, would show it's probably big boss.

[Diablo]

or it could just be that Kojima's fooling us

But in a voice interview with Pat zimmerman (Ocelot) he said that when he went to re record for twin snakes he asked them about the third one and they said it takes place when ocelot was younger, so i think he slipped up :p

[ceci-chan]

Originally posted by Diablo23
just extrememly can't wait for this game, hey ceci will you be mad if its not snake?

Hmmm...I'll be ok if they put him in there like MGS2 for a brief moment or if I hear his voice. But if they don't...well...lets just I might not be interested in playing it. :(

I'll probably play it to get to understand MGS4, but it might play it only once.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
I hope Snake Eater answers some questions instead of making a whole bunch of new ones, Hideo might not do the 4th, which would suck if we dont have answers, but as he has already said, MGS3 will have something to tie them all together...I cant wait.


If this is Kojima's last game, i think the PS3 will convince Kojima to come back and make a 4th and finish the game...

[ceci-chan]

I hope so! I want MGS to do its best not to floppy gop like some rushed sequel. But I'm getting kind of confused here...who is it that is in MGS3 again? I thought it was Big Boss....

[Diablo]

Originally posted by ceci-chan
I hope so! I want MGS to do its best not to floppy gop like some rushed sequel. But I'm getting kind of confused here...who is it that is in MGS3 again? I thought it was Big Boss....


we don't know yet.. actually.

were not suppose to find out until we actually play the game..

it will probably get leaked though//

[ceci-chan]

So if it's Snake..he'll be missing an eye! Aww! My poor Snake and he'll be eating live animals! AHH!

[Diablo]

Originally posted by ceci-chan
So if it's Snake..he'll be missing an eye! Aww! My poor Snake and he'll be eating live animals! AHH!

well he might be missing an eye...

Remember Kojima is tricky and he might have just showed us that to trick us and make us think that its big boss..

[ceci-chan]

Originally posted by Diablo23
well he might be missing an eye...

Remember Kojima is tricky and he might have just showed us that to trick us and make us think that its big boss..

True. They always do that when it comes to anything. Grr....I wish it was already here so I wouldn't have to ponder so much about it!

[Diablo]

Originally posted by ceci-chan
True. They always do that when it comes to anything. Grr....I wish it was already here so I wouldn't have to ponder so much about it!

lol, I know.. oh man, my most anticipated game since forever...

[ceci-chan]

How long has it been since the last oen came out? I can't remember anymore...@.@ wasn't it 2002?

[Diablo]

2001 :shock:

[ceci-chan]

Ahhhh! See what I mean!? When I wait for certain things I tend to forget what other things are...I wonder if Meryl will make a come back?

[Diablo]

yea i know, i doubt it though

[spiderman_2k]

I thought Meryl died

[ceci-chan]

well there were two ways the story could go in MGS, no? Wether she lived or died...but did she die?

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
I thought Meryl died

I dunno..

But did you guys notice, it seems like SNake is wearing his sneaking suit under that camo..

[spiderman_2k]

Originally posted by ceci-chan
well there were two ways the story could go in MGS, no? Wether she lived or died...but did she die?

I thought that becase Otacon survived she died.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
I thought that becase Otacon survived she died.

I read somewhere that they both survived but Snake and Meryl just split up... i think..

or did she die :confused:

[spiderman_2k]

I dont think she would have been able to escape, I thought that if you gave into the torture she died and Otacon lived, if you didnt give in, Meryl survived and Otacon died...

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
I dont think she would have been able to escape, I thought that if you gave into the torture she died and Otacon lived, if you didnt give in, Meryl survived and Otacon died...

Yea i guess so, i wouldn't be suprised to see her in another game though...

[spiderman_2k]

http://www.cloudspace.com/goodies/mgsnamegen/

LOL, Check that out.

[Diablo]

Lol, what was your code name?

[spiderman_2k]

Is this the Metal Gear that will feature in Snake Eater?

http://www.planetps2.com/metalgear/i/news/MGS3vehicle.jpg

[spiderman_2k]

Originally posted by Diablo23
Lol, what was your code name?

Chopper Sea-Monkey

[Diablo]

yea and apparently its suppose to transform...

in the TGS trailer when the words "Honeyed Espionage" comes up, the picture in the back is what it transforms into...

well thats a ruomour

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
Chopper Sea-Monkey

Lol, Gauntlet Baboon :o

[ceci-chan]

I hope we find out when it gets leaked..I MEAN! When we play the game. :p :D

[spiderman_2k]

Originally posted by Diablo23
yea and apparently its suppose to transform...

in the TGS trailer when the words "Honeyed Espionage" comes up, the picture in the back is what it transforms into...

well thats a ruomour

Yeah, I just watched the trailer and you can see it back there, there are 2 pictures of it different sizes and angles layered over each other.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
Yeah, I just watched the trailer and you can see it back there, there are 2 pictures of it different sizes and angles layered over each other.

Yeah, its gonna be great..

[spiderman_2k]

Its definatley set before then, thats a much earlier version of Metal Gear, before it became fully bipedal.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
Its definatley set before then, thats a much earlier version of Metal Gear, before it became fully bipedal.

YEa, and pat zimmerman (ocelot) said he was told it takes place when ocelot was younger... sooooooo

[spiderman_2k]

Must be Big Boss then, he would be about the age of Ocelot if he was still alive right?

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
Must be Big Boss then, he would be about the age of Ocelot if he was still alive right?

Yea i think so..

OMG, imagine a younger ocelot..


how awesome will he be :eek:

[spiderman_2k]

If we have to fight him, he would be a tough boss, he would be in his prime.

[Diablo]

Yea i know, man, well we know we won't kill him...

man i wanna kill his A$$ so bad

[Malitos_Sahkir]

If you save Meryl in MGS 1, Snake requests that Otacon be rescued... So, they both survive.

[Diablo]

Konami is a little pissed about the leaked screens

http://metalgearcentral.com/InvisionBoard/index.php?act=ST&f=1&t=563

(or is it all an act :p)

[ceci-chan]

I don't see anything... :(

[Tony_samo]

Originally posted by Diablo23
Konami is a little pissed about the leaked screens

http://metalgearcentral.com/InvisionBoard/index.php?act=ST&f=1&t=563

(or is it all an act :p)

where are the pics?, if you have the adress or the pics. send me a Pm please ;)

[spiderman_2k]

I think we have to be members to view that page.

[Tony_samo]

well, I sign in and did'n see anything... just complains

[spiderman_2k]

There aren't supposed to be any pictures, just the Admin of the site getting the message to the users that Konami want any new screenshots taken off of any message boards.

[Diablo]

I'm pretty sure its just an act by Konami.

[spiderman_2k]

Maybe....The shots dont seem to give anything away that we dont know already, or wont know within a few months when previews start being released.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
Maybe....The shots dont seem to give anything away that we dont know already, or wont know within a few months when previews start being released.


Yea...

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Alright, someone brought this up over at the IGN boards...

http://a.1asphost.com/kiera2/thisguy1.jpg

http://a.1asphost.com/kiera2/thisguy2.jpg

Either MGS3 has two different characters, as shown above, or the game is set in different years.

Or... the character model is so high-poly and interactive, so his hair may blow in the wind, and the tuft may change sides...

And another thing to notice, he's not missing an eye.

[spiderman_2k]

Yeah, he will obvisouly lose an eye later on in the game.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
Yeah, he will obvisouly lose an eye later on in the game.


You sure bout that... :p

[spiderman_2k]

Well...The first trailer showed him with one eye...But then again Hideo is a bastard when it comes to this kind of stuff.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
Well...The first trailer showed him with one eye...But then again Hideo is a bastard when it comes to this kind of stuff.

Lol, he will fool us all.. :rolleyes:

[Diablo]

New info at IGN

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/499/499241p1.html

[ceci-chan]

I leave here and this place is almost of the first page! Tsk tsk tsk. I'm guessing that this character is just named Snake....and I truly want to believe it's Big Boss and that his codename is Snake.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by ceci-chan
I leave here and this place is almost of the first page! Tsk tsk tsk. I'm guessing that this character is just named Snake....and I truly want to believe it's Big Boss and that his codename is Snake.

yeah.. i try to keep this thread up but ppl don't reply and it sinks back down..

[Diablo]

http://games.kikizo.com/media/mgs3_mar04/02.jpg
http://games.kikizo.com/media/mgs3_mar04/04.jpg
http://games.kikizo.com/media/mgs3_mar04/05.jpg
http://games.kikizo.com/media/mgs3_mar04/08.jpg
http://193.68.22.6/Other/bbhr1.jpg
http://193.68.22.6/Other/bbhr2.jpg

[Oj]

Damn, this game just looks so good. Imagine how it will play.

*drools*

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Oj
Damn, this game just looks so good. Imagine how it will play.

*drools*

lol, i know... man i cant wait till e3

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Diablo23
http://games.kikizo.com/media/mgs3_mar04/02.jpg
http://games.kikizo.com/media/mgs3_mar04/04.jpg
http://games.kikizo.com/media/mgs3_mar04/05.jpg
http://games.kikizo.com/media/mgs3_mar04/08.jpg
http://193.68.22.6/Other/bbhr1.jpg
http://193.68.22.6/Other/bbhr2.jpg

*PAGE TURN*

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Hm... Are Snake's eyes that colour in SoL?

[Diablo]

Heres someone who compared the eyes..

http://ee.domaindlx.com/mgs3eyes/pmgs.jpg

[Malitos_Sahkir]

ATTENTION!!!

Over the past week a Cast List has been leaked from MGS3, if it's real ( and it looks to be, as Kojima's English Translator is looking to find the person who leaked it ) MGS3 will be completely different than anyone expected. It will most likely disappoint very much. I sure as hell knew I was when I read it...

Now, my question to everyone is... Do you want me to post the cast-list? It'll be spoiler-tagged, but there is still that temptation knowing it's there... So, I leave the choice up to you.

[Diablo]

I saw the cast list, and the so called email by Scott Dolph

I personally think its fake, but you know it could be real but anyone can fake an email and a cast... soo

[Malitos_Sahkir]

I'm not worried about Scott Dolph... It's just the cast-list that was disappointing... What did you think of it, when you read it?

[Diablo]

WEll i was dissapointed because i think the name

THe Fear. basically says it..

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Amen Brother...

This is why I hope it's fake like you said.

[Diablo]

I mean maybe the names are just a cover up IF it is real.. cuz you know the characters are known to be out there in a Metal Gear Game, but i don't know bout these characters..

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Yes... Some of them are just abit too out there. I mean, a Bee Man who shoots a bee bullet from his mouth, and tosses Bee Hives like bombs? And I thought Fat Man was werid...

[Diablo]

Lol, I know Kojima is not stupid and put those lame characters in

Now watch with that being said those characters will be in it.. lol

[Malitos_Sahkir]

I did like the... Guy who has especially long legs and arms, and is able to dislocate them so that he can twist them in different ways. Thus making him able to swing around the jungle like a Spider. That seemed very Kojima... And so did the guy who uses a flamethrower and waears a suit and mask to hide his burnt and deformed skin.

[Diablo]

yeah.. but my question is if these are real, how did the guy get his hands on em, unless its Kojima himself :funny:

[Malitos_Sahkir]

I don't think 'Kojima is dumb enough to give away half of his game, I mean, after reading the synopsis on the main character It's pretty obvious Snake is a Patriot.

[Diablo]

yeah Kojima likes to keep his fans guessing and well i know ever MGS fan is doing that... and when the game comes out we all will get something we didn't expect

[Tony_samo]

hey, I would like to know the list and everything...I am a Big Metal GEAR FAN! so any news would be great Spoilers, non spoliers, etc...and Diablo, did you know anything on Meryl? I mean about her not being in MG2

[Diablo]

Well as far as i know that the Meryl Metal Gear ending in the first game was the true one, and then Snake and Meryl left together to start a new life...

Now bout after that, there are rumours over the net that Meryl left because of Snake's drinking problem and such... Nobody actually knows what happend between them...

In Mgs 2 there are some reference's to her like Snake saying he doesn't want to meet another Tomboy or something like that, and Raiden not walking like a tomboy something along those lines...

[Diablo]

NEW PICS

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/front_index.php

[Diablo]

http://e.1asphost.com/mgworld/tram/1.jpg

http://e.1asphost.com/mgworld/tram/2.jpg

http://e.1asphost.com/mgworld/tram/3.jpg

http://e.1asphost.com/mgworld/tram/4.jpg

[Malitos_Sahkir]

http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/metalgearsolid3/preview_6092668.html - A preview detailing the new "Close-Quaters Combat" that is a first to the MGS franchise.

[Diablo]

yeah, someone made them all in one, better download it, the thing is to big to watch in browser so right click and save target as..

http://193.68.22.6/Other/MGS3teaser.gif

[Tony_samo]

so, let me get this straight! in Metal Gear solid snake eater , are we going to play as Big Boss?, so what happened with solid snake the original, do we ever going to play as him or not? I'm geting confuse!, hey diablo how about a short storyline, synopsis or something so far ! I mean since Metarl Gear Solid (PS) Metal gear solid 2, sons of liberty and the upcomming snake eater, and their characters history, what happened after!, or post a link to a Metal Gear Site with the info... I need to know all the details, so i can enjoy MGS3 when it comes out

[Diablo]

hmm.. do you want me to like just post the synopsis of the first 2 games?

[Tony_samo]

just like the important stuff, well if you like! if not it's ok... but at least you should know a good Metal Gear Site where i can go and find out what Ìm looking for

[Diablo]

http://www.planet-mgs.com/index2.php

theres some info on the site, like on the navigation to the bottom right hand, they have a list of the games and the info... if you need more info just ask me..

[Diablo]

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/camouflage.html

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Originally posted by Diablo23
http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/camouflage.html
W00t that was f**king awesome!

Any word on when it's being released? I'm more hyped than ever now.

[Diablo]

lol, im guessing November, but yeah, im more hyped about gameplay then the story now..

[Andrey83]

It might have been answered before, but is this game a PS2 Only game? or will it come on PC?

[spiderman_2k]

Its a PS2 exclusive upon release...I dont know about in the future though.

[Andrey83]

Hmmm...thanks. Just gotto hope then :)

[Diablo]

most likely, like other mgs games, it will go to the pc but they might change it this time *Shrugs*

[Diablo]

MGS 3 release date set?

http://www.us.playstation.com/games.aspx?id=SLUS-20915

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Box art:
http://media.gamestats.com/gg/image/mgs3_peerbox_160w.jpg

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Malitos_Sahkir
Box art:
http://media.gamestats.com/gg/image/mgs3_peerbox_160w.jpg

thats not confirmed is it?

[spiderman_2k]

I thought when I first saw it that it was a poster that was released and was edited in photoshop.

[Diablo]

THats what i think it most likely is Spidey, but who knows, the cover might look like that

*shrugS*

[Malitos_Sahkir]

No it's not confirmed... I found it through a link on the IGN main page... Eh, I think it looks good.

[Diablo]

The cover probably will look something like that, or a different drawn pic by the artist..

[Echo_7]

I must admit that I am really excited about this game, but there is one thing that I am leary of. Are we sure that we are going to play as Snake? I don't know if any has realized that this games takes place almost 40 years before Sons of Liberty. If Snake was in his mid-twenties for this mission, that would put him in his mid-sixties for Sons of Liberty. Unless snake ages extremely well, there is a huge plot hole.

I just see an inconsistancy on the timeline so I am a bit leary.

[spiderman_2k]

2 words

Big Boss

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Snake looked like he was in his late fourties during SoL... Meaning that if MGS3 takes place in the 60s it would place it about the time when Snake, Liquid, and Solidus were born ( or cloned ;) ).

[Diablo]

It could be Big Boss

or it could be a completely different character

*shrugs*

You never know with Kojima

[Diablo]

according to this guy on IGN the magazine had

Snake can hold the weapon two different ways: normally or up to his sholuder to get better aim.

Snake can use the folding stock of his weapon, so either when fighting u can take out the stock or not, for better aiming.

Theres gonna be many new weapons in this game "to please the gun nuts" said HK.

If you are shot with camo on, you will bloody the camo and have to clean it in the rain or a river.
Rain lowers your visibility.

The guards will be able to see lot farther than in previous MGS games.

The camouflage change screen is not like the one in the demo, nor will it be a L2 button, more like an in game menu (which kojima said will not be annoying).

There will be a big shocker 10 minutes into the story.

HK will tell us who the main character is in E3

Plus it seems we cant depend on the old MGS history from MG2:SS and MG anymore. (hence when BB lost his eye etc)

It says (copied):
"THAT'S HIS STORY- While Kojima mostly sticks to the story history he established with the first Metal Gear games, there will be some contradictions between his older and newer games. He makes such sacrifices to ensure that the new games are as good as they can be (not sure if he was talking about MGS3 specifically here, or the MGS games in general)."
That's what it reads in the PSM.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

That's a nice tease, E3 couldn't seem further away now... And what do you think is the shock ten minutes into the game? Solid Snake is killed, and the answer to how lies somewhere in the past ( where the game picks up ), with Big Boss?

[Diablo]

lol, damn't e3... watch this next week go by very slowly

and i stress the word very... :(

[Inval1d]

I'm thinking something to do with Solid Snake and Ocelot will be in the first 10 minutes.

[Diablo]

and the whole contradicting the stories of the first 2 mgs (Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake) does this mean Kojima will make it so Big Boss will loose the eye in this game?

[Diablo]

Found some more stuff from the new mag

1.Mr K says that you can use a fork of all things,hes unclear if its a dinner fork but its possibly something like a spear or a tool to catch fish.


2.Guards DO have limited maximum range on their sight much like the older MGS titles but it has been tweaked to be realistic in that most of the time enemies will see you like they should (Unlike before)A little bit better vision!!


3.Only certain enemies can call for backup(Guards carrying big radio equipment on their backs.)they can even call in fire support by their commands giant mortars and cannons will be fired from the distance in an effort to thwart Snake!!


4.If you lie in mud or certain watery areas too long Leeches will attach to Snake and drain his Stamina meter,Also Snake can warm his body a bit while resting inside a hollow log!!


5.Animals will see through your camo and can Hear you really well and also pick up your scent easily.


6.Theres also a special camo that will help Snake blend in with the interior of the enemy base while inside!!, Poisonous Snakes hang out alot in tall grass so be weary while entering the brush.


7.So far no other person on Kojimas team is willing to take over the MGS series!!


8.Many things affect the stamina meter.The stamina and life meter will be two separate things.Snakes life will now constantly replinish itself!!(No rations for health,your food only increases the stamina meter.)Kojima said ways of losing stamina was getting to cold such as being shirtless in cold areas or at night,Climbing trees will affect stamina,Getting leeches on you through mud and water(Dont idle too long in these areas.)and Snakes new Stalking technique!!All these things affet stamina so be careful and weary while in these situations.

[Inval1d]

great info diablo

[spiderman_2k]

Originally posted by Diablo23
6.Theres also a special camo that will help Snake blend in with the interior of the enemy base while inside!!.

Sounds great

[bingbang]

bump

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Theres an article over at IGN that confirms the game will have an online mode.

[Diablo]

OMFG, did you guys see the new screens? :shocked:

EDIT: here they are *drools*

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/reviews/914828_20040510_screen002.jpg
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/reviews/914828_20040510_screen003.jpg
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2004/reviews/914828_20040510_screen001.jpg

[Diablo]

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/index.html

BIG UPDATE GUYS

[Diablo]

The trailer should be up soon, i haven't seen it yet but it should be up on there official website soon, but i know that in the trailer YOUNG OCELOT gets his arse kicked by BIG BOSS, and the trailer is around 15 mins... can't wait

[Malitos_Sahkir]

That "fake" cast list is sounding more and more correct as we get these new details. That guy with the scar across his eye is called "The Colonel" and he is the central Villain. He stands a foot taller than Snake, and is trying to capture a new type of Nuclear Weapon ( which is a very primative Tank, known as "Metal Gear" ). The game takes place in the Russian mountains and Snake is sent in to rescue a Scientist from the compound where the Metal Gear Weapon is being held. So far the only other Villains that are known is a younger Ocelot ( who refers to someone as the "Legendery Boss," the person he's talking to is off screen, however. ) And someone with a Flame-Thrower, whose kitted from head-to-toe in armor.

[Diablo]

Malitos have you seen the trailer in good quality? I saw like 5 mins of it in crap quality.. lol

[Inval1d]

that guy with the scar reminds me of Solidus

[adonihs]

You know you play the game as Big Boss right? :\

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Inval1d
that guy with the scar reminds me of Solidus

he also sorta reminds me Cambell

[HeadHunter]

it is a shame i aint really hyped up for this game since it looks so good :0

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Originally posted by adonihs
You know you play the game as Big Boss right? :\
By all means, if you can find something that can confirm that, from 'Kojima himself, then go ahead. We don't know who it is yet. And no, Diablo, I read a description on the trailer at Gamespot.

[HeadHunter]

i thought you played as Solid snake...i thought that was the whole point...tho i am so confused...did he die or not in MGS2??

[Malitos_Sahkir]

No he didn't die. He and Otacon are going to find Olga's baby and put an end to the Patriots. But, the secrets of the Patriots may lie in the past, hence MGS3 being in the '60s.

[adonihs]

Originally posted by Malitos_Sahkir
By all means, if you can find something that can confirm that, from 'Kojima himself, then go ahead. We don't know who it is yet. And no, Diablo, I read a description on the trailer at Gamespot.

First of all, he has a patch, and the same scars as Big Boss does..if I wasnt lazy enough id post some resemblences. Second of all Snake would not stay the same age from the 60's to 2000 :|. And correct me if im wrong, isnt Snake and Liquid a clone of Big Boss?

[Inval1d]

Originally posted by adonihs
You know you play the game as Big Boss right? :\

no i didn't, i never knew. i thought you played as Link from zelda...

DUR

you never know.... maybe solidus could be a image of that dude.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Originally posted by adonihs
First of all, he has a patch, and the same scars as Big Boss does..if I wasnt lazy enough id post some resemblences. Second of all Snake would not stay the same age from the 60's to 2000 :|. And correct me if im wrong, isnt Snake and Liquid a clone of Big Boss?
From 'Kojima himself.

[Diablo]

Taken from Metal Gear Solid 3's official website

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/pic/chara_01_a.gif

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/pic/chara_02_a.gif

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/pic/chara_03_a.gif

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/pic/chara_04_a.gif

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/pic/chara_05_a.gif

[adonihs]

Hey inval1d, tell sarcasm I said "hello"

and Malitos, im glad you know how to repeat yourself and use italics. Seems you learn a lot from posting so much.




:rolleyes:

[Malitos_Sahkir]

My point is, 'Kojima has said **** about who the main character is. And until he does, it could be anyone.

[Inval1d]

alright.


he said hello back. :p

[Diablo]

lol Invalid... Anyways to quote some guy from a mgs website, he makes some good points

Do you want my conspiracy theory on all this? I think only the character models are right and the name Snake and the scientist name are right. I think HK leaked the document and then made a trailer fitting all the description exactly. If you noticed on the MGS3 website, there are only silhouettes of character and no names. And to top it off Never in the trailer do the characters actually are referred with names. That marine twin gun shooter makes many references…but never says he is ocelot. And all the lines that have been said (except for the woman’s huge speech in the end) were the exact lines from the showfax sides.
That woman at the end says will snake is saluting that half of what she was told was a well-constructed lie. So… I don’t think this is right. Plus HK had about 2-3 months to know that the info has been leaked, and if he did he would have tried to make us think the leaked docs were fault not make you certain they are true. Seriously we are talking about Hideo here. This guy was so paranoid that he installed alarms in the floor where his team works! He is even careful around his colleges in Konami. And to think he would just spread the sides to not one but 3 different agencies are unbelievable. It’s like he wanted people to find the sides.
Don’t tell me he can get in jail for lying, BECAUSE he isn’t. All he did was give out Character bios that were only to help the VA get the fell of a character, not to tell them about the game. In other words, in MGS2 VA auditioning, he could have just said for Raiden: “you are doing a voice for a woman, who acts like a man.” Now I am not saying HK took time to actually have guys leak it online. He just allowed these descriptions to be available to all VA who are auditioning, hoping that they will spread out to public. And They made there way online, and we all think they are true. While HK is safe, because he had no hand in releasing them, and those things servers exactly the purpose they are supposed to, that is to allow the VA to get into character. So no one can blame him for lying at all because they did what they are supposed to do.

Now for the voice sides, those things are false lines too. Why? Because many cartoons that are holding auditioning use false lines and lines form different things. It is a standard business practice.

Now for the trailer, those Lines maybe in the game, but not at the right spot. Do you remember MGS2 E3 trailer? They used Johnson’s lines to make us think Solid died. Same way, all these lines might be out of place to think it is something else. I am not saying they wasted time doing all that for noting. All those character models, can be just different people from what we know, and heck they many just are replaced or miss matched. Like how snake was put in instead of Raiden. Same way, they could just have, one character doing something while someone else is supposed to.




And the fact the mountain Snake is going is non-existent area (maybe a nickname) is even more weird. Plus there are no jungles in Russia and we see the Metal gear being transported somewhere else…so maybe snake fails this mission and now has to go after the villain to get it back, somewhere in a jungle.

[Inval1d]

nice pics there too

does those quotes like "Live Shell" and "Live The Fox" refer to MGS things.

like Big Shell in MGS2
and Fox Hound

and Snake as in .....you already know.

look at the first silloutte, the head seems to be very odd to look like SS.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Thank you, Diablo... WE DO NOT KNOW WHO THE MAIN CHARACTER IS. Other than his code name is Snake. Not Solid Snake, just Snake.

[Inval1d]

that has been talked about too much. i know that but look at it closely. it's very obvious that is might be someone different (not saying it isn't or is)

[Diablo]

I don't know Invalid if they are references to past mgs games. There is soo much theorys out there and prolly new ones including the last one i posted since this new trailer, I actually don't know what to expect except for something Huge and suprising.

[Inval1d]

yeah i know. everything is a complete mystery..

[Malitos_Sahkir]

It could be another clone all together... We didn't know there was a third until MGS2... Maybe Big Boss is a clone aswell. Who knows.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

One thing's for certain; we won't know until:

A) 'Kojima confirms it.
B) We play the game.

And because the game is out in November, it appears it'll be B.

[Inval1d]

but...... i saw a something that said Kojima will reveal the main character at E3. which i think will be the last day.... tommorow. :D

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Inval1d
but...... i saw a something that said Kojima will reveal the main character at E3. which i think will be the last day.... tommorow. :D

Yeah maybe the suprise won't be the character if he reveals it but maybe the story. I saw a very interesting theory, ill bring it up once i find it.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

I'm fine with the trailer we got. It's 15 minutes long. By the way... Does David Hayter voice Snake in it?

[Diablo]

well the one they show is japanese and the guy who does Solid Snake in the japanese version voices the Main character in the trailer. so i am presuming there going to get David Hayter

[Malitos_Sahkir]

No one has brought up the fact that Snake might not age...

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Malitos_Sahkir
No one has brought up the fact that Snake might not age...

hmm.. maybe thats the shocker 10 mins into the story? *shrugs*

anyways heres another theory

I think:

In the trailer the theme seems to be "Reliving Yesterday to Survive Tomorrow" and at the beginning it has a clip of Snake from MGS2 saying: "Building the Future and Keeping the Past Alive Are One and the Same Thing"... There is something important there but I dont know wot. Its like they have to revisit Big Boss's mission to do something in the present.

Also, I was thinking, in the clip we see Metal Gear being transported away by helicopter (and Snake(BB) cant stop it). Wot if he never did stop it, and instead he defected. The Metal Gear was transported out somewhere else unknown. Now in the present day that Metal Gear is still out there, and the final third of the game is playing as Solid Snake in an enemy base, getting rid of that Metal Gear. Reliving the past to build the future.

Cos it then goes on to say: "Survive to Live" - Survive as Big Boss to Live as Solid Snake

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Originally posted by Diablo23
hmm.. maybe thats the shocker 10 mins into the story? *shrugs*

anyways heres another theory
If Liquid can live through an arm, why not?

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Malitos_Sahkir
If Liquid can live through an arm, why not?

lol, yeah.. but, by not ageing do you mean not changing looks or what?

[Malitos_Sahkir]

The Les Enfants Terribles Project happened in the Sixties... Excellerated growth, if I was making the Perfect Soilder I'd want him ready to go right away. So, he's Seven years old, but looks in his mid-fourties.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Malitos_Sahkir
The Les Enfants Terribles Project happened in the Sixties... Excellerated growth, if I was making the Perfect Soilder I'd want him ready to go right away. So, he's Seven years old, but looks in his mid-fourties.

ah.. but then again Snake does look younger in MGS 1 then in MGS 2 :p

[Malitos_Sahkir]

It's just speculation. You've got to remember if it is Big Boss, this is the guy who will one day create Outer Heaven and hold the world at ransom... He's going to be alot darker than Snake.

Oh, and this is the FINAL Metal Gear Solid game... So it's got to have something to do with The Patriots. So unless Snake and Otacon's adventures continue in Metal Gear Acid, Snake's finding of Olga's baby, and taking down the Patriots with the help of Otacon and Raiden will remain in the Metal Gear Mythos.

[Diablo]

Also is it just me or does 'Snake' look much different then he did when he was first revealed at last years e3?

[Malitos_Sahkir]

I think he looks better.

[Diablo]

Yeah, but what i meant was in last years e3 he was like skinnier or something his face was different, maybe its just cuz now he has really thick beard and no bandana *shrugs*

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Maybe he beef's up during the game...

[Diablo]

maybe. lol who knows, I just can't wait for this game, looks to be the best of the series.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Gameplay-wise it does, I don't know if the story can top the original's though.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Malitos_Sahkir
Gameplay-wise it does, I don't know if the story can top the original's though.

Yeah agree..

lol, was the biker dude Ocelot?

http://forums.planetmgs.com/uploads/post-10-1084499571.jpg

[Andrey83]

There is a 15 min trailer up at gamespy: www.fileplanet.com

Also the intro movie is posted there.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Do you have a direct link, because I'm not seeing it.

[adonihs]

http://www.fileplanet.com/files/140000/140692.shtml

Doesnt take that much effort to search..

[Diablo]

Trailer up at offical site.. Finally

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/eng...lips_index.html

[krazy_marco74]

i like the trailer! looks cool!

[Malitos_Sahkir]

LA Convention Centre security staff were left flat-footed and red-faced yesterday as two unknown perps had it away with a copy of the MGS3: Snake Eater demo code. The one level demo, on display at Sony and Konami's stands is almost certainly being duplicated as we speak. Will you see MGS3 first at you local car boot sale?

The LAPD are investigating the incident and are looking for two 19-20 year old males. The code snatchers were able to gain access to the PS2 demoing Snake's hotly anticipated jungle rumble by cracking the perspex case on one of the pods on the Sony stand.

According to eyewitness reports they achieved this by leaning heavily on the unit before simply ejecting the disc and doing a runner from the convention centre - possibly not how Snake would have done it, but apparently effective.

People have no respect for art.

[Diablo]

Yeah i heard about that, damn kids, hope they get caught.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

This may cause a delay.

[Inval1d]

i hope someone car jacks them GTA style..

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Malitos_Sahkir
This may cause a delay.

God, I hope not :(

But if you guys didn't see the site updated and added the characters pics instead of making them shadowed.


http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/pic/chara_01_a.gif

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/pic/chara_02_a.gif

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/pic/chara_03_a.gif

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/pic/chara_04_a.gif

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/pic/chara_05_a.gif

http://www.konamijpn.com/products/mgs3/english/pic/chara_06_a.gif

[Inval1d]

that spy girl is hot.

[Diablo]

lol, and if you haven't seen the trailer the Rival dude is Ocelot, well they don't actually say hes ocelot but he refers to how ocelots don't do stuff.. lol

[Inval1d]

his posture reminds me of him.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Inval1d
his posture reminds me of him.

Yeah he spins his gun around like Ocelot too, but doesn't use a Revolver at first, at first hes using an automatic pistol, then 'Snake' says your movements arent made for a pistol, the way your elbow moves, its made more for revolvers. (or something like that) and then at the end of the trailer you see Ocelot spinning a Revolver and juggling 3 Revolvers.. lol

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Pictures of the best parts of the trailer:

Snake vs. Thunderbolt

http://img61.photobucket.com/albums/v186/MessiahoftheAbyss/Metal%20Gear%20Solid%203%20Snake%20Eater/I.jpg
http://img61.photobucket.com/albums/v186/MessiahoftheAbyss/Metal%20Gear%20Solid%203%20Snake%20Eater/II.jpg
http://img61.photobucket.com/albums/v186/MessiahoftheAbyss/Metal%20Gear%20Solid%203%20Snake%20Eater/III.jpg
http://img61.photobucket.com/albums/v186/MessiahoftheAbyss/Metal%20Gear%20Solid%203%20Snake%20Eater/IV.jpg

The Salute

http://img61.photobucket.com/albums/v186/MessiahoftheAbyss/Metal%20Gear%20Solid%203%20Snake%20Eater/The_Salute.jpg
http://img61.photobucket.com/albums/v186/MessiahoftheAbyss/Metal%20Gear%20Solid%203%20Snake%20Eater/The_Salute_2.jpg

[Inval1d]

hey, isn't that guy saluting big boss?


i forget who had the patch...

[Diablo]

SNake gets his arse kicked by thunderbolt, but i love that part in the trailer. It's amazing with the music in the background and all.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Yes, I hope they play the Sons of Liberty theme very subtle during that scene like they did in the trailer. It was very effective. And does anyone else get the feeling Snake is saluteing that blonde-headed Woman's grave ( the one in the silver suit )? Given the conversation they were having, and being as he sheds a tear...

[Diablo]

Maybe Malitos, haha, nice avatar btw, i might get one from one of the new screens.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Get the one of Thunderbolt grabing that Raiden-look-alike's balls ;).

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Malitos_Sahkir
Get the one of Thunderbolt grabing that Raiden-look-alike's balls ;).

haha, lol, i'll try.. :D

[Alien]

I loved Twin Snakes when I got it for the cube but Snake Eater doesn't look as good to me. I might give it a try if I get the next gen console that is backwards compatible with the PS2 or if it comes out on another console.

Also any news on wither Sons of Liberty will ever come out on the cube?

[Alien]

Originally posted by spiderman_2k
http://www.cloudspace.com/goodies/mgsnamegen/

LOL, Check that out. I put David Hayter in to see what he'd get and he came up as Jockstrap Bison.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Alien
I loved Twin Snakes when I got it for the cube but Snake Eater doesn't look as good to me. I might give it a try if I get the next gen console that is backwards compatible with the PS2 or if it comes out on another console.

Also any news on wither Sons of Liberty will ever come out on the cube?

I don't think Sons Of Liberty will be going to the cube *shrugs* that only me though. I highly doubt it will though.

[Alien]

Originally posted by Diablo23
I don't think Sons Of Liberty will be going to the cube *shrugs* that only me though. I highly doubt it will though. I don't see it happening my self I was just hoping.

[Malitos_Sahkir]

http://img68.photobucket.com/albums/v206/Drovek/Kuwabaraed5C.gif

:D

[Inval1d]

:lol: that's great.

[Diablo]

Just wondering, if you haven't read the interviews that were up like a week ago by some sites, they interviewed Kojima and some interviewed Williams (the composer) and Cooper (the opening sequence guy), anyways what im trying to say, if you haven't read it would you like me to post em?

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Sure.

[Diablo]

Wednesday, May 12th 12:10 P.M. We arrive at Harry Gregson-Williams studio in Venice California. It's a very nice looking place which houses the studio to one of the most influential and creative composers in the Hollywood film industry -- Mr. Harry Gregson-Williams. Movies such as "The Replacement Killers", "Spy Game", "Armageddon", "Enemy of the State" and "Man On Fire" are instantly recognizable to film fans, but he has also composed the scores to two of the biggest titles in the history of the gaming world, "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty" and "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater."

We walk into this studio, which has movie posters of the films he has scored on the walls as you walk up the staircase. Posters for "Shrek" and "Shrek 2", as well as the aforementioned films grace the walls leading to the main floor of his studio. We are greeted by the lovely Amy Arnelle and she asks us if we would like something to drink. She directs us to the refrigerator where we each grab an ice cold Coca-Cola. After a bit of talking, she then informs us that Harry is ready for the interview and tells us to go through the double doors that lead into his studio. We enter the first room, which is filled with all manner of computers, hard-drives and a dazzling array of electronic devices made for storing music, sounds and all manner of music making goodness.

Now, we enter the actual studio. Harry is busy working on "Bridget Jones 2" and after we make our introductions, he asks us to please sit and he will be finished in a minute. We got to see him actually in the saddle, so to speak. I must say that creating music is definitely a difficult job, especially for films. He went from watching a bit of the film, to then starting a piece of music he had composed for the given scene by pressing a button at the exact moment he wanted it to come in. He then paused the film and took a little over an hour to grant us this chance to sit down with him to discuss his work on the highly anticipated "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater" for the Sony PlayStation 2. What we came away with was a much better understanding of how this process works, how it's done and also that Harry Gregson-Williams is not only an extremely talented composer, but also a really nice person who is very fun to talk with.

EG: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to allow us to come here and talk with you.

HGW: Not a problem.

EG: Could you tell us a little about your background? What got you into composing films?

HGW: I have been studying music since I was three and playing it since I was four. I attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and after that, I went to Egypt and Africa teaching music to children. I had a short stint as an actor and it was soon after I started this that I realized that sitting around in a trailer all day waiting for my next part was not what I wanted out of life, so I turned to music. I wanted to try to do something with my music instead of other people's children.

EG: [Laughter]

HGW: I met Hans Zimmer about nine years ago while he was scoring "Crimson Tide" and he asked me to arrange the Chorus for the score. I accepted and after that, he said that I should make my own path in the film music scene since I had the chops for it. "If I can do it, you can Harry" he said. I did and the rest is history.

EG: Probably the best thing to happen to America in a long time!

HGW: [smiles] Thank you. It's my own American dream, really.

EG: How did you become the composer for MGS2 and MGS3?

HGW: That's an interesting story, actually. I was in my studio composing the score to a film, when I received a CD through the post that had some action bits from various movies I had done the scores to -- someone obviously did their homework and had researched my action music. There was a rather flattering letter attached to it and well, flattery will get you everywhere, so...

EG: [Laughter]

HGW: ...I thought, these guys really like me, so why not? The note said that they wanted me to compose the score to this videogame [MGS2] and that they didn't have the budget of a Hollywood feature film and they didn't even know if I would be interested in doing this -- But it was something different, so I accepted. It was a similar situation with MGS3. They contacted me and said that they were going to make another one and that they would like me to do the score to this one as well. I remember doing the press junket where I went touring around Europe with Hideo promoting the game [MGS2] and someone asked me if there was going to be another game and would I be interested in doing it if there was. I said, if it's set on another Oil Rig, then no -- but if it's set in the Amazon, I would consider it.

I might have influenced something, because here we are in the jungle!

EG: [Laughter]

HGW: Seriously though, I'm sure he had that in mind long before I said that. When we met to discuss the score to MGS3, they showed me some pictures of a jungle or rain forest; probably Borneo, you know, a rain-forest -- with shots of Hideo climbing around in the bushes.

EG: [Laughter]

HGW: They wanted to show me the scope of the setting; the colors and the saturation of the jungle -- the emotions and feeling of what the music should sound like. They told me how it was different to MGS2 and that Hideo wanted this "jungle flavor" to the music for MGS3.

EG: Do you feel that composing the score to a videogame is a very different undertaking from composing a film? Is it easier or harder to accomplish?

HGW: It's the same in terms of how I go about matching the sound and feel of the music to the scene -- but it's very different in terms of how exactly I do it. You see, with films, I have the scenes to go by visually, I can see them right in front of me and when I go to the premier of the film, I know exactly when and where my music will start, like when she turns her head here, the music will begin. You see?

But with these video games, I have to do it a bit differently. Hideo sends me e-mail's giving me certain scenarios, like "Ambient", "Action", or "Sneaky" all split into categories like this. I then have to compose music that fits into that mold. I have to write music that comes behind these characters. I provide these modules of music for them. For example, Snake might be up a tree and then there are some nasty fellows creeping up near him. Now, we can see that he's up this tree, but they can't. So imagine a music scenario like that ...okay! [smiles]

EG: [Laughter]

[at this time, the phone rings and Harry answers it.]

HGW: Just a moment guys, I have to take this.

EG: Okay.

HGW: Now then, where were we?

EG: Snake was up a tree.

HGW: [Laughter]

EG: [Laughter]

HGW: Right [smiles]. It's a bit difficult, as I can't see all this to score it as it happens. There might be action -- running hard, or full out action -- someone's chasing them, or an uneasy atmosphere -- followed by action, or action that suddenly comes to a stop. Hideo sent me these scenarios and I had to sort of, well make them. [smiles]

How my music is used in the game is beyond me. It's a leap of faith. I have to trust these guys to put the music into the game where it works and sometimes make me look better than I deserve.

EG: [Laughter]

HGW: The people playing the game are in control of the music, maybe. But if you want to know how it is physically, technically put into the game, like how these long-winded 3 minute "chugging along" types of music I wrote sort of morph into each other, I have no idea. Someone's doing that in Tokyo. When you play the game and everything is going just fine as you are chugging along, the music is happy, happy, happy. Then, someone pops up shooting a gun, so the music suddenly has to turn, hasn't it? After that, it's back to happy, happy, happy. I don't make any segways, I would have provided them with the happy, happy, happy music and then with alarming music, but it's up to them how all this music gets used in the game. Somehow, they have to put all that together. If you want to know how they actually make use of my music in the game, then you're talking to the wrong guy!

EG: [Laughter]

EG: Did you provide them with more or less music for MGS3, as compared to what you wrote for MGS2?

HGW: What I provided them with is similar in terms of the amount of slow pieces that I wrote, the number of fast pieces I wrote and so on. I did the Lion's share of the thing. For this one, Hideo really likes the electric guitar sound, so there is a bit of that flowing around -- a bit more of that than the last one. Also orchestra, that sort of stuff.

EG: Do you have anything that we could hear from MGS3?

HGW: Sure. Hold on a sec.

[At this time, Harry calls a friend and says "Where's Metal Gear Solid, man? Yes, that old Donkey!" we all laugh and he then proceeds to locate some of his superb music for us to hear. He looks in his computer and pulls up the music heard in the MGS3 E3 2003 trailer -- only in it's natural state, with no sound effects, voice-overs or edits. Before the music starts, he says "I think I found something. This will probably end up being "Bridget Jones" or something." We all laugh. We sit and listen to it with him and it sounded absolutely incredible. His studio has the best sound set-up you could ever imagine, with speakers everywhere. It was like being a part of the music. We then hear the Tokyo Game Show MGS3 trailer music and then the MGS main theme with Harry playing it on a guitar, as heard near the end of the 2003 E3 trailer. Also of note is how cool it was to hear this with the composer listening to it with you. A truly memorable moment.]

EG: That was incredible. I noticed a few short segments that I haven't heard before. Those must be bits where the MGS3 team edited the music to fit the trailer. It sounded a bit different to hear it without any of the sound effects.

HGW: Yes, that' how it's done. I provide them with the music and they use it to suit their needs. Very complicated, really. Did you like it?

EG: Yes, very much!

HGW: [smiles]

EG: This room, is it set up this way for the acoustics? I noticed the shape of the room and the position of this couch and was wondering if it was set this way to maximize the acoustic element.

HGW: Yes, this room is set up this way to get the optimum sound from my music. That spot where you are sitting, that's the G-spot.

EG: [Laughter]

HGW: [Smiles] That's where Steven Spielberg or Jeffrey Katzenberg are gonna sit, to judge how my music sounds. These Directors and Producers sit here and they decide whether they are going to love it, or they're going to hate it -- and they're going to tell me about it. [Smiles]

EG: How did you get your music to the MGS3 team?

HGW: It was really a neat little process. I would upload my music to my FTP site and they would grab it off. Then, they would tell me about it. Things like "You have this "Sneaky" bit we love, but you have it on an action cue. Why don't you take it off and put it on another one." They really gave me great direction. Hideo really wanted the music to inspire his team. I was starting "Man On Fire" while finishing MGS3 and before that, I was finishing "Shrek 2."I worked on the score to MGS3 for about 8 or 9 months on and off, but if I had worked on it straight through, I could have scored MGS3 in about a month or so.

EG: As far as percussion goes, you are the best in the business. What drives you when it comes to the drum elements in your music?

HGW: Well, I enjoy programming it, but I do a lot of overdubs as well. That's my overdub room over there [motions behind him to a panel of sound-proof glass]. That piece you just heard has a lot of African percussion in it. I have 3 or 4 assistants working with me and we really go to town on each project we do. We tailor-make our drum sounds and drum loops so that it's special for each project. It's good fun. The technology is right where we want it to be able to do that.

EG: Have you ever played MGS2?

HGW: I'm not much of a video game kind of guy. I think the last video game I played was Pong.

EG: [Laughter]

HGW: The Metal Gear games are very complex. I had trouble getting through the credits!

EG: [Laughter] It was the same way for my girlfriend here. When we started dating, I showed her how to play "Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes" and she said the same thing, that it was very complex.

HGW: You've played the game? What's it like?

EG: Which one, MGS2 or MGS3?

HGW: MGS3

EG: We played a short demo at E3 today. It was incredible. The show floor is so loud, that it was a little hard to hear the music; but what we could hear was amazing!

HGW: Thank you. [smiles] So people are playing it?

EG: Just a short demo. They are really enjoying it.

HGW: Is it finished? When does it come out?

EG: Almost. They are putting the finishing touches on it and making adjustments here and there. I think it releases this November.

HGW: Ahhh.

EG: I read somewhere that as far as composing your music is concerned, you prefer to conduct a live orchestra. Is your music for MGS3 done using a live orchestra or is it done here in your studio?

HGW: Yeah, yeah. I do love conducting an orchestra, but it really comes down to the budget. I can make it sound like a real orchestra, as you heard. It's more expensive to hire an entire orchestra and since I can make it sound like one -- why spend the extra money on one? Hopefully, it doesn't sound synthesized. The bits that are supposed to sound synthesized, are -- but anything orchestral, like the violins, trombones and stuff, you hear that, that should sound like the real McCoy.

EG: I always thought that the music from MGS2 and MGS3 was done using an orchestra until you said that -- it sounds that real!

HGW: Good, good. [smiles]

EG: [Laughter]

EG: The other composer for MGS2 and MGS3, Norihiko Hibino -- do you work with him in any way?

HGW: I haven't met him, but I've heard of him. I saw his name in the credits of the last one [MGS2]. For MGS2, I wrote maybe an hour or so of music, but there was more that was needed. I guess he picked up the slack by adding his own music, I don't know. But being as I haven't been able to get through MGS2, I don't know. [Laughs]
As I said, I'm not a video game kind of guy -- but maybe I'll morph into one. Hopefully, all the music works as a whole.

EG: It does.

HGW: Good, I'm glad. [smiles].

EG: His music sounds like your music, because it's done in a similar style. You both have very distinctive styles, so there is a noticeable difference in that you can tell who composed what music -- but sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. I suppose that this is the the Metal Gear sound, the music that you and he do together.

HGW: Yes.

EG: In the E3 2004 press pack, there is a flyer that comes with it that has quotes from you and other members of the MGS3 team. [Matt hands him one of the press kits] It says that you are going to restructure the sound of MGS. What did you mean by that statement?

HGW: I didn't want to do the same thing I did last time. That's what I meant when I made that comment in London. I had no idea they were going to set this new one in the jungle. I want to give players a fresh experience and to make it sound decidedly different from the last game. Hideo wanted it to sound like the Metal Gear sound. He didn't want me to go all "Jungley" with the score to MGS3, he wanted me to do something new but at the same time, keep the flavor of the MGS experience intact. Somehow, I had to give him that and find a fresh take on it myself. Otherwise, I might as well have stayed in bed, you know, why do it all again? [Laughs] This new game has a different score from the last one, but it still has that Metal Gear flavor.

EG: How has your experience of working with Metal Gear been?

HGW: I really like Hideo Kojima. He's a top man, isn't he? He really responds to my music and I really react well to his encouraging me down a certain path. He's on top of his game. He has an incredible mind for these things. I haven't spent much time with him, but he and I get on very well, although we have to go through an interpreter, since he doesn't speak English and I certainly don't speak Japanese.

EG: [Laughter]

EG: What was the first film that you composed the score to?

HGW: Ahhh! It was a little screwed-up thriller called "White Angel" that I'm happy to say you won't find in any video shop anywhere! It was my first one out of the gate and I don't consider it vintage me.

EG: What was your first Hollywood film?

HGW: My first Hollywood movie was a love story called "The Whole Wide World" with Vincent D'Onofrio and Renee Zellweger -- that's where I met her. I think it was her first movie as well. Anyway, after that I did "Armageddon" and "Enemy Of The State" and started down that path.

EG: Of the films you have done, which one is your favorite and why?

HGW: "Spy Game"

EG: That's one of our favorites as well.

HGW: I like the blend of techno and the big, epic sort of orchestral music.Also, the film was set in such a variety of places that gave me a real chance to do different things. There are parts of the film set in Beirut, then Germany, then back in America and then China. For this we went out and got all of these Chinese percussionists and it was really a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun to put this whole tapestry together. That same director that did "Enemy Of The State" and "Spy Game"did "Man On Fire", which I had a lot of fun on that one as well. That one is set exclusively in Mexico City.

EG: We are definitely going to see "Man On Fire!"

EG: As a film composer yourself, who is your favorite film composer?

HGW: Tom Newman, maybe?

EG: I thought that you were going to say...

HGW: Hans Zimmer?

EG: ...John Williams. Hans Zimmer? Do most people assume that you would say he was your favorite film composer?

HGW: Yeah, probably. I have the highest respect for Hans and I love his work. As for Tom Newman, there is something that he offers that people can only copy, really. They don't have it in them to be able to do that. He has a great ability with very lush strings which I admire. He is very talented.

EG: Do you think that composing the score to videogames is something that you would like to do again?

HGW: The great thing about movies is that they're are all different. "Bridget Jones" is kind of different from "Man On Fire", which is different from"Shrek 2", which is different from "The Replacement Killers" which is different from "Enemy Of The State." Each time out of the gate, everything is different. With Metal Gear, Hideo wanted a big orchestral sound, but I had to find something fresh to do with it. I like to do something different each time in my work, My music doesn't just come out of thin air -- I look at the picture here [Harry motions toward the video screen displaying a paused image from "Bridget Jones 2"] I can see what I am composing for and I know when I need to have the music come in.

EG: As a composer, what inspires you?

HGW: I'm inspired by other peoples work. Hideo's really on top of his game with this one. He really knows his stuff and I'm sure that people will enjoy his new game. I hope that everyone really likes the game and hopefully, they will enjoy the music as well.

EG: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview!

HGW: No problem guys.

- Epicenter Games Staff -

[Diablo]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: HIDEO KOJIMA - "I WANT TO EAT SNAKE"

MGS 3, DS, PSP, eating reptiles and much more as we go head to head with one of the world's greatest developers

Without question one of the most influential figures in the world of interactive entertainment, Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima is nevertheless a remarkably down to earth, humble man, who seem almost embarrassed by praise levelled at his wildly successful titles.

That these games are among the most important and influential of all time is now broadly accepted, something which compelled respected US publication NewsWeek to vote Koijima-san among the ten people most likely to influence American culture, on the back of the release of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty for PlayStation 2.

With Metal Gear Solid 3, Kojima-san is again attempting to raise the bar and push the boundaries of the gaming experience, the focus of Snake Eater being on man versus the environment, with players required to survive the jungle or perish.

Sat in a mercifully quiet meeting room above Konami's stand at E3 last week, CVG was able to spend half an hour in the company of Hideo Kojima, covering a range of topics from his thoughts on PSP and DS, to the portrayal of global conflict in the MGS series and his great desire to eat reptiles. Without further ado, here's the full transcript.

E3 has now become synonymous with a big Metal Gear presentation and each time, ever since Metal Gear Solid 2, you've had to raise the bar and every new trailer it raises the bar and it's more amazing. Is that something you relish, the opportunity to really raise expectations before the game is out?

Kojima: If that's how you perceive it's great, it's an honour. I try to create, put together, something that the fans will enjoy. That's really my intention.

Have you been able to gauge the reaction of people to Metal Gear 3 during the show so far?

Kojima: Yeah, I get to see their reactions, but with the crotch-grabbing [from the trailer] I thought people would be laughing more, but I haven't seen much of that! I failed in that aspect [laughs].

Do you think people haven't understood what you were trying to do there?

Kojima-san: You remember is MGS 2 when the President actually grabs the crotch of Raiden when Raiden comes in to rescue the President? He does that because he looks like a girl in a way I guess - he does it just to see that he's a guy. So I'm doing a self-parody there.

So it doesn't have anything to do with the story of MGS3?

Kojima-san: Actually, there is story significance there.

On the PlayStation booth Metal Gear Acid is on show on PSP, which is a turn-based strategy game as opposed to a more traditional stealth-action experience. Why did you choose to go in that direction?

Kojima: Metal Gear Solid the series is about stealth-action, and it requires very delicate, very fine button controls, button input. If you make a little mistake with the button input, you might be spotted by the enemy. A handheld system is just not suitable for that kind of fine input, and when I discussed it with the team, we reached the conclusion of coming up with a game that has the Metal Gear Solid look, the feel, the flavour, but something that's not action-based because of the buttons and controls. That's why we've come up with something with more strategic elements.

Can you give us any insight as to were Metal Gear Acid fits in with the Metal Gear Solid universe?

Kojima: It's more like a side-story thing, but the thing is in Metal Gear Acid you'll probably see all the characters from Metal Gear Solids 1, 2 and 3.

Have you thought about doing a Metal Gear Solid game for DS?

Kojima: It would be nice to have a Metal Gear game for DS, but the thing is I personally think that the audience for DS will be like that of GBA - it'll be a much younger audience. And this Metal Gear's not really suitable for them.

What do you think of Nintendo DS? With Boktai on GBA you've proved your commitment to creating innovative handheld products, something which DS facilitates. Are you developing a game for it at the moment, or do you plan to develop for it?

Kojima: I'm not working on a DS game right now; it'll be nice to do one in the future. If I were to do something... If I come up with an idea that allows the player to do things that no other videogames creator would do with the two screens and the touch panel, then I'd come up with a game. I want to do something totally different. We went in the morning to take a look at the DS but there was a large queue and we couldn't see it [laughs]!

If the DS becomes really popular, I think kids will start losing their fingerprints [laughs]!

In the playable version of MGS 3 on the showfloor, there seems to be a lot of cutscenes and text in the game. One of the criticisms levelled at MGS 2 was that there was too much of this type of thing; is the content of the demo representative of the full version of MGS3, or is this predominantly a device used at the start to set the scene?

Kojima: We have to tell the story in the game. Yes there will be the text and the cutscenes but there won't be as much [as last time]. We're spending a lot of time creating this jungle and we want to give you the opportunity to really enjoy this jungle, so while you're actually in the jungle playing the game there won't be much of that stuff.

In the new Metal Gear Solid 3 footage we saw a female assassin character - what role does she play in the game?

Kojima: She's a female spy like in the 007 series who co-operates with Snake, but she's a spy and if Snake starts trusting her 100 percent - you never know, she could be doing things to him. There might be some romantic stuff between them, too.

There's a view that Japanese development in general is in decline in a way. We were speaking to Mr. Nagoshi from Sega [the head of Amusement Vision] yesterday and he was saying that many Japanese developers have trouble thinking outside of Japan now. Metal Gear is a game that has huge appeal in the West; what are your thoughts on the state of Japanese development?

Kojima: I'm personally not really interested in the Japanese videogame industry right now; there aren't really that many interesting games right now, not like looking at the Western games industry. But I don't think we should really look at it like different markets, like different industries. It's like one global videogames industry and it just happens to be that it's more happening in the US and Europe right now.

So I like to present to these areas where it's more active what I'm creating, and these places that accept and like my games so I'll do my best with my games so that people in these areas, like the US and Europe, enjoy my games.

And I'm not going to name any names but I don't really enjoy talking to Japanese videogame creators that much. They don't have fun stuff to say anyway. I actually talked to Dan Hauser from Rockstar Games a couple of days ago and we had a great chat, and Western videogame creators like him seem to be more passionate and energetic so I hang out with him.

So do you think the Japanese games industry is flat, isn't moving forward?

Kojima: I think it's evolving but I don't see the heat, the passion there - it's more like a business now. I guess that people of my generation and Mr Miyamoto, who is not of the same generation you know, but videogames creators who have been around since the beginning of the industry have had to create everything from scratch.

There was really no established job position called "videogames designer", but now the younger videogames designers, when they joined the industry, videogame designing was already established. I guess in that sense the aura that they exude is really a totally different dimension from ours I think.

You've said before that Metal Gear 3 is about a human being versus the elements, the environment. Why is this something you particularly wished to explore in a videogame, in particular the survival elements? What inspired you?

Kojima: I wanted to do something where this person infiltrates enemy ground solo and use his physical body - that's like his only weapon, his body and his will, his spirit or power. When he starts using very hi-tech gadgets you don't see that will, you don't really depend on your body anymore and there's the whole thing about "hard boiled-ness" that this guy goes in there and has the strength of will, and the only thing he can depend on is his physical strength. That's what we wanted to do with a theme of survival.

In MGS3 you have to hunt for your own food when you are hungry, and if you get ill or are wounded you have to treat yourself. Things like that I want people to feel - it's all part of being alive and trying to survive. This kind of power I want people to feel.

In terms of the survival element and hunting for food, can you talk a little about striking a balance between realism and fun? We understand you can hunt animals, but is water involved? Does Snake have to drink liquids to survive at any point?

Kojima: There's no drinking water. I thought about it, but it was just going to be too complicated. And there's no going to the toilet either [everyone laughs]. But he can throw up as you've probably seen already.

Why the Cold War as the era for the game over any other period?

Kojima: As you probably know, MGS to me is like a 007 series where you have this one secret agent who infiltrates enemy ground and completes missions and escapes. But the thing is, when you have the game set in the near future like in the previous MGS titles, now the whole secret agent idea really doesn't work, and you have to get a Special Ops guy so it seems more realistic.

But I wanted to get that secret agent feel so that's why I took it back to the 1960s and the Cold War era when the US and the USSR were against each other in terms of sending spies and using double agents and triple agents and all that information warfare. It's just the best time for spies, the 1960s. You know, the message of Metal Gear Solid is ant-war, anti-nuclear weapons.

It wasn't a real war between the US and USSR; they weren't fighting each other. The people who were actually "fighting" the war were the spies, maybe not shooting each other but it was information warfare. By depicting this in the game I think that young people who really don't know about the Cold War will able to learn why things are like they are right now.

The Metal Gear series, on whichever platform it's appeared on, has always pushed the limits of the hardware. We just wondered what you thought about the next generation of hardware, what you feel the main advantages are in terms of development possibilities they will offer, in terms of game creation?

Kojima: I'm sure that the new consoles, whatever the next console is going to be for the Metal Gear Solid series... I'm sure they'll be very powerful, but if I were to create a game I really don't want to pursue like, you know, great graphics. Like Hollywood films like The Lord of the Rings where you see huge armies, or a movie where you see a meteor hitting the ocean and these tidal waves, like great graphics - that's not what I want to do, I like to tackle the thing from a totally different stance.

Is there anything in particular you think will be made easier by the next generation of hardware?

Kojima-san: I think no matter what they do it's not going to be easy because there'll be more things we'll have to do anyway. So I think what we have to do is select what we want to improve. They are many aspects of a game and I think we have to take certain things where we want to really increase the quality, and I think that that's what game design will be about.

Finally, the subtitle of MGS3 is 'Snake Eater' - have you ever eaten snake yourself?

Kojima-san: Never, but I'd like to try it. I'd also like to eat crocodile. There are actually freak restaurants in Japan where you can eat reptiles. I've been discussing it with my colleagues. We've just never been there, we've never had the chance!

[Diablo]

Kyle Cooper is the man. He is the man responsible for creating the most engaging and motivational opening sequences for Hollywood feature films in the history of motion pictures. You have seen his work in films such as "Seven", "Mission Impossible", "Mimic", "Spiderman", "Twister", "Donnie Brasco" and of course, "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty." His current project is creating the opening title sequence for Konami's "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater" for the Sony PlayStation 2. We got the chance to talk with him a bit about this exciting new project and we came away with a better understanding of his work, as well as what motivates him as an artist. He loves the James Bond series of films and their opening sequences. He is at the top of his field when it comes to how he does what he does. Read on.

EG: How were you contacted to do the opening sequence to MGS2?

KC: Hideo Kojima called me to set up a meeting in Los Angeles.

EG: Was it the same for MGS3?

KC: Yes it was.

EG: During the Konami Press Conference yesterday, you showed the work-in-progress of the title sequence to MGS3. What motivates you to create these breathtaking images?

KC: The challenge was Hideo's desire to create an interactive opening sequence. That really motivated me. I'm not really a gamer, but I am being converted into being one. I really like to watch Hideo play! He's really good! I am slowly learning to be a gamer. My personality is very frenetic. I enjoy ripping and breaking things. It requires a lot of patience to be a gamer and my personality is quite the opposite. In college, I used to play "Donkey Kong", so I have a slight history of playing games. I have some younger friends and colleagues that show me gameplay tactics and so on. It's a slow process, but I'm learning.

EG: What is an aspect of working with Hideo Kojima that is different from what you are used to?

KC: Hideo and Scott Dolph like to put in jokes and references to past Metal Gear games and that makes it personal to them. Hideo wants the title sequence to reflect his past games. The trick is finding out what kinds of images to show for 3 1/2 minutes. In the finished opening scene, we plan on having a high level of interactivity; from shooting animals during the intro, to switching from planes to bees to snakes swimming in a certain trajectory by pressing a button, things like that. It is a new thing for me to do this kind of an opening sequence. I really hope that the fans will like it.

EG: I know we will. It looked amazing, even at the early state you showed us yesterday! I was in awe!

KC: Thank you!

EG: As far as the homage to Maurice Binder [Title designer for most of the James Bond films], are you a fan of his work?

KC: Hideo's idea was the 1960s and to improve the James Bond introductory sequences. The Bond movie opening titles are timeless -- the type of film quality, the images Maurice Binder used and the way he blends all those elements together. I like simplicity and realistic footage. Take "Goldfinger" for example. Robert Brownjohn projected film footage onto the women's bodies. I suggested mushroom-clouds to Hideo for the MGS3 opening sequence done using real footage as opposed to computer graphics. I did this by shooting clouds in a water tank in my studio, the fluid clouding into the tank produced a nice mushroom-cloud effect. The main challenge involves mixing live action with computer graphics. I am very excited about doing this! Hideo really wants to capture the essence of the 1960s, the times, the setting and the gritty, realistic combat. This will be the first interactive title sequence and I hope that the Metal Gear fans will like it!

EG: That's a definite. We are going to love it.

EG: What influences and inspires you in your work?

KC: Filmmakers really inspire me. Maurice Binder, Robert Brownjohn -- classic films and their directors. Also, classic graphic designers like Piet Zwart. I am also very inspired by nature. "The Island Of Doctor Moreu" has animal eyes in it. "Seven" has a lot of bodily functions in it. "Mimic" has insects in it. "Dawn Of The Dead" has a lot of blood in it. For my work on "Spiderman 2" we have this scene of a Spider fighting an Octopus, representing Spiderman and his battle against Doc Oc.

EG: How long have you and your team been working on the opening sequence to MGS3 and when do you think that you will be finished with it?

KC: Well, I've known about it since we finished the one for MGS2. This one's about 3 years in the making, on and off. We talked about it for a couple years and worked on it in spurts. We still have a bit more to do, but it should be finished soon.

EG: Has this experience opened you to doing more videogame related properties?

KC: I consider Hideo Kojima a friend. I would gladly do this again if he asked me to. I collect action figures and Hideo sends me Japanese action figures from time to time. I prefer not to do anything that competes with Metal Gear, so I opted not to take part in the creation of the "Splinter Cell" opening sequence. I prefer to work with people that I am close to -- friends. I consider Hideo Kojima a very close friend. Did you play "Splinter Cell"?

EG: Yes, but it's not even close to the level of excellence that a Metal Gear game gives the player. It lacked the style and fun-factor that all Metal Gear games possess. It was a poor attempt at copying greatness.

KC: [Laughs]

EG: What do you feel makes an exciting and entertaining opening sequence?

KC: Something that engages you emotionally. Putting the cast list across the screen is only one aspect of it. Getting a reaction is the other. The opening sequence we did for "Mission Impossible" really got fans excited about the movie. I think that an entertaining or moving opening sequence really gets people into the right mind-set to see the movie or to be psyched about the game they are about to play. I hope that my opening sequence for MGS3 gets fans emotionally prepared to play the game, making them snap to attention. Sometimes making people laugh or even making them scared can be accomplished by a good opening sequence.

EG: In your opinion, is doing the title sequence for MGS2 and MGS3 any different from creating the title sequence for a feature film?

KC: It's the same thing to me. It really has to be done the same. I have the highest respect for the directors of the projects that I work on and Hideo's Metal Gear is no different. I approached the title sequences for both MGS2 and MGS3 the same way I would have for a feature film. I first try to find a metaphor for the sequence. For the titles to MGS3, we have the skeleton of a snake. This metaphor has several meanings. First, it's what is left of a snake after it's dead, since in the game, "Snake" can eat snakes and what you have left after it's eaten, is a skeleton.

Also, "Snake" moves through a landscape surrounded by death. The other meanings involve the snake in the Bible being the first spy -- people can say that the snake is already dead, you know, man's hope that it can't hurt him anymore. But then, the snake is resurrected and the skeleton is still on it's mission, still very deadly. This is also a way of saying that what "Snake" thinks is right in the beginning, is now wrong. What he thought he was doing right, later on it's not. The snake's skeleton is very chilling and it shows us all of these things.

EG: What do you hope that fans take away from your opening sequence to MGS3?

KC: I would mainly like them to be satisfied, to take their Metal Gear experience to the next level. I want it to live up to the promise of how great the game is. This game is not a mercenary undertaking. Watching Hideo play this game, you can see that he wants to give fans more than just a shooting game -- he wants to take players on a journey by giving them a great story. He wants to give players their money's worth. His sincerity is apparent and he hopes that Metal Gear fans will enjoy the story. I agree with this and I hope that my opening sequence touches fans and gets them psyched and excited about what the game has in store for them.

EG: Of the opening sequences you have done, which one is your favorite and why?

KC: Probably "Donnie Brasco." There were a lot of obstacles that had to be overcome during the making of it, so that is probably one of my favorites. Honestly, it's hard to say, really -- to name just one favorite. I also really like "Seven." It fits the theme of the movie perfectly. I think that I will say that the opening sequence to MGS3 will be one of my favorites when we're finished with it. I really like where it's going and I am very fond of the subject matter. It's going to be great.

EG: Thank you so much for taking this time to answer our questions.

KC: Anytime.

- Epicenter Games Staff -

[Malitos_Sahkir]

Whoa, imagine Hideo playing MGS... Solid Snake himself :eek:.

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Malitos_Sahkir
Whoa, imagine Hideo playing MGS... Solid Snake himself :eek:.

ha.. theres not much any more to talk bout unless ya'll want to argue about who the main character is :p and if it is SS how its set in the '60s..

But any of yall entering in the camo contest thing?

[Cipher Jo]

Wow! you would have thought someone commissioned you guys with all of this info!

[Diablo]

A theory posted by Arsenal-Gear from P-mgs/Ign boards..

After reading Bluetrooth's theory on MGS3, Metal Gear Solid 3: Through the eyes of a snake, I was inspired to create my own. I have been sensing, for the most part, that MGS3 involves some kind of retelling of Big Boss's story, versus us playing as him through the actual first occurrence. There are so many hints that it won't be as simple as the player instantaneously shifting to the 60's. Here are a few examples I think allude to that.

Disclaimer- Let me mention, for those of you who aren't familiar with me, I don't think Solid Snake is a playable character, so don't interpret my 'theory' as such. The story will be Big Boss's mission, the question is who's eyes we are seeing it through.

The Title
Metal Gear Solid 3. Of course, it's possible that a game sequel can happen in the past (Resident Evil comes to mind; it jumps all over the timeline). But Kojima has this odd sense of western continuity in his games. If you think about MGS3 as just a game, it's easy to say "well it's the third game in the series." But if you think of it cinematically, then the "3" should imply you are moving forward in a sense. Not the strongest proof by any means, just my interpretation.

"MGS Relives yesterday to survive tomorrow"
This quote from the E3 2004 trailer is a very good piece of evidence. MGS is not living yesterday--MGS is reliving yesterday. Not only that, but MGS is reliving yesterday for a purpose--to survive tomorrow. This implies that for the series to continue, it is necessary to relive the past. Whether this "reliving" involves some kind of VR, I have no idea. Another interesting extrapolation is that there is something the characters in the present need to know about the past that will help them survive the future, which could imply a future MGS adventure. Maybe "Metal Gear Solid" won't be departing with Kojima.

The Raiden character - E3 2003
Unless Kojima concocts some wacky reason as to why someone who looks just like Raiden can exist in 1964 (with his hairstyle even!), wearing a Russian military jacket, I am going to have to submit this is a retelling through VR. Think about it, surely it's not that far fetched that Big Boss in his prime is the spitting image of Solid Snake, but what on earth is Raiden doing there? Is it really that far fetched that Solid Snake and Raiden could be "reliving" Big Boss's big mission in 1964 through VR (to anyone who has ever seen a Star Trek episode, think the "Holodeck." P.S- I'm not a trek nerd. )?

The rumored surprise "10 minutes into the game."
While I happen to think this might be an exaggeration (I don't know what would possess Kojima to reveal when a big suprise is going to occur), let's assume for the sake of arguement that this is true. What could possibly happen 10 minutes into the game that could suprise us enough, without upsetting the flow and pacing of the actual story? Here's my prediction: ten minutes into the game, we'll more or less fast forward to the future and see the characters in the present MGS timeline. That's how I see it. Whether it's Snake stepping out of a VR machine (or whatever they are) for a cigarette break, or Raiden flipping the page of a book entitled "Memoirs: The Story of Big Boss as told by himself," I have no idea. But I think it has to be something along the lines of referencing the present MGS timeline. I can't imagine what could possibly happen ten minutes into the game that wouldn't upset the pacing of the plot, unless it's something along those lines.

The beginning of the E3 2004 trailer
Probably the biggest piece of evidence so far. A select few of Snake's lines from MGS2 are played:


QUOTE
We need to pass the torch, and let our children read our messy and sad history by its light. We have all the magic of the digital age to do that with.




I think this quote has been mentioned enough that I don't need to explain why it's so important. A great piece of evidence that supports a re-telling.

In conclusion, yes, at the moment I am thinking MGS3 will be a retelling of Big Boss's story, and not a first hand account. I'm not going to put all my eggs in the "VR" basket just yet, but as we have heard before (in MGS2), Raiden did go through VR training of an event that happened in the past (it was either Shadow Moses or the Tanker; I can't remember right now). If MGS2 taught us anything, it is that anything is possible.

The End

[ceci-chan]

What?

You know when Snake says we need to let oru children read or sad messy story by the light...that kind of reminds me when BB is walking through the cave. :)

[Inval1d]

whoa i haven't seen you in a while... :eek:

[ceci-chan]

lol! yeah. I've been at school...nice to see you guys again though!

[Inval1d]

nice to see you too. :)

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Inval1d
whoa i haven't seen you in a while... :eek:

I convinced her to come back :p

[Inval1d]

you are a good convincer. ;)

[Diablo]

Originally posted by Inval1d
you are a good convincer. ;)

Arent I? :D

[Malitos_Sahkir]

I don't know about that theory, Snake seemed pretty anti-technology in MGS2 ( especially technology that promoted battle ).

[Inval1d]

i saw the long trailer from E3 or whatever just now.

it looked cool. That electric guy was kicking snake's ass.

[Diablo]

^You just NOW saw it... shame on you :D

[Malitos_Sahkir]

IGN has some new pictures of how Snake can use Bee Hives against enemies... I won't bother posting them, if you want to see they're pretty easy to find on IGN.

[Diablo]

Yeah Malitos, I saw those over at Planet-MGs, I didn't bother posting them either, but if people want me to I will :D

[Tony_samo]

hey Diablo.. post more stuff here.. we need updates and Pics! You are the man, by updating MGS3 stuff.. lets keep this page always on top..

[Malitos_Sahkir]

If there are pictures and info' to give. I don't expect there to be much more aside from idle tid-bits until the games release.

[Tony_samo]

well, yea.. but for example those IGN pics.. it will be easy if all related of the game that you, or anyone could find, just post it here