Kojima on Metal Gear Solid 4

By Tom Bramwell Published 14 March, 2005

The series creator says his absence may curtail references and Codec humour, but says stealth will be key and that next-gen formats could lead to more "conceptual" or "spiritual" ideas.

Hideo Kojima says that the "No place to hide" line Konami is using to promote Metal Gear Solid 4, which it started developing for next-generation formats just last week, is not an indication that the series is to abandon its stealth roots, but rather a comment on an interesting new setting.

The Metal Gear Solid creator also said that he believed next-generation game development would go further than improvements in graphics and sound, allowing for "more conceptual things or even spiritual elements" - echoing, interestingly, the sentiments of Japanese developers like Tetsuya Mizuguchi who have recently signed up to develop for Microsoft's Xbox 2 console.

Speaking during his recent Metal Gear Solid 3 promotional tour, Kojima-san said that he was at the stage of "coming up with ideas and concepts based on what I think these machines might be".

In answer to a question about the "No place to hide" mantra, Kojima-san said the line was to do with the setting. "We're not going to tell you where yet, but [it's] a setting where your response will be, 'Oh my god, how do you expect me to hide here?' When you do actually hide in that environment, it will be very thrilling and tense," he added.

However Kojima-san did infer that some of the series' trademark references to TV shows, films and other quirky cultural homages might vanish on account of the other part of that marketing line - "No place for Hideo".

Speaking about the references in MGS3, Kojima-san said "It's purely for the fans," and acknowledged that his absence from the director's chair next time ought could make a difference. "All the references and humour come from me so you probably won't be seeing it in Metal Gear Solid 4," he said.

Whether that will please or upset you is extremely subjective. The MGS' series desire to digress and talk about periphery issues until we're all blue in the face has been one of its most divisive traits over the years. Still, anybody who's enjoyed hearing Para-Medic talk about her fondness for Godzilla is likely to be disappointed.

We'll bring you more on MGS4 as soon as we hear it - although given the early stage of the project it seems likely that we won't have a trailer to look forward to at this year's E3 trade show.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000. Follow him on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (22) Latest comment 7 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Navi #1 7 years ago

    Sounds like some of the best elements of metal gear solid might be missing from the new series. I just hope it doesn't take itself too seriously.

  • Singularity #2 7 years ago

    Hideo said:
    [it's] a setting where your response will be, 'Oh my god, how do you expect me to hide here?


    It'll be underwater. Or in space!

  • Genji #3 7 years ago

    Make way for... DESERT SNAKE.

  • jumpdeveraux #4 7 years ago

    Small tropical island with one palm tree. You have to run around keeping the tree between you and a single enemy soldier. Includes 20 hours of cut scenes.
    Edited by jumpdeveraux at 14/03/05 @ 11:52

  • space_ace #5 7 years ago

    november, 2006?

  • Freek #6 7 years ago

    You gotta have the humor, the part where Snake totaly geeks out over the gun EVA brings him is genius.

  • #7 7 years ago

    "director's chair next time ought could make a "

    Should be:
    "director's chair next time out could make a " I think Tom... If you fix the article, just delete this comment too :)

  • ST.. #8 7 years ago

    It's set in a space desert.

  • daveo #9 7 years ago

    its set in the TV room from charlie and the choclate factory, and snake is dressed in black

  • Teeth #10 7 years ago

    A deserted, spacious space desert?

  • tengu #11 7 years ago

    Set it in a men's locker room.

  • Lazarii #12 7 years ago

    TOM!

    Who won the MGS3 strategy guide competition.

  • tengu #13 7 years ago

    Well, thanks for that Matt_Jon you twat. Now that I've heard your expert take on things, I can finally adjust my opinions accordingly.
    Edited by tengu at 14/03/05 @ 21:03

  • Genji #14 7 years ago

    *sniff*
    GOD BLESS YOU, MATT_JOHN!

  • Nillsens #15 7 years ago

    Matt_Jon seems to have confused his opinion with fact.

  • dadrester #16 7 years ago

    not wanting to flame but, seriously matt. give it a little longer. the viruous mission is a bit lame, granted, but it gets better. much better. i'd say it was on par with MGS. if you liked the first one you'll most likely like this one.

  • Stilicho #17 7 years ago

    Tried 3 and hated it. At least this news might make me consider the next one. The only comedy in 3 comes from the pathetic animation which used to be OK but now looks archaic to the point of silliness. (Although I'm sure Kojima is laughing all the way to the bank).
    Kudos to matt_jon for a sensible take on a poor excuse for a game.

  • Nillsens #18 7 years ago

    And what game is ace then Stillicho?

    Do people who hate MGS3 even like games?

  • tengu #19 7 years ago

    I've yet to hear one convincing argument as to why MGS3 is supposedly as crap as certain people on here are making out. I loved every last second of it, and I don't see how anyone could really hate it.

    It's good, simple fun. I thought that's what games are supposed to be about, aren't they? Obviously not in some people's eyes at any rate.

  • tengu #20 7 years ago

    Don't get injured so much then! The medical screen is simple as hell and the injuries only take a couple of seconds to treat, I don't see how you could be put off on account of it.

    As for Konami making the game more like Halo... You're really just taking the piss there, aren't you?

  • Stilicho #21 7 years ago

    Do people who hate MGS3 even like games?

    Yes. Lots of them going all the way back to the original release of Prince of Persia and beyond to the humble VIC 20. Having spent years playing all types of games, it's really sad to see such a stagnant series still selling and being applauded by all the usual fanboys. Given the way other games have developed i.e. the Splinter Cell series, PoP Sands of Time, Half Life 2 etc. and the integration of more realistic physics, there is no excuse for a game which allows you to kick someone in the ankle causing them to do a 360 degree flip. It may be OK for a Mario game, but this is supposed to be slightly more serious. The voice acting is mostly awful and the script not even amusing. This is not a "fun" game - having to go through multiple screens of crap about Godzilla just to save the game is frankly ludicrous.

    Ace Games? Currently Half Life 2, LOTR : Battle for Middle Earth, Jak3, Mercenaries, Metroid Prime 2 to name a few. All of which are fun and enjoyable unlike MGS3.
    Edited by Stilicho at 16/03/05 @ 15:50

  • aabyssx #22 7 years ago

    > Lots of them going all the way back to the original release of Prince of Persia

    OMG I was already grandfather at the time... ;)

    BTW Snake Eater IS great! I just missed that cyborg ninja.