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wweomaniac
03-02-2002, 11:48 AM
I got *****ed at for putting up too many posts yesterday....so this is my 2nd of today and final fo today :P



Industry big-wig and Newsweek favourite Hideo Kojima was in London today to promote the European launch of Metal Gear Solid 2. The European version of the game includes some features from the Japanese version (Extreme difficulty, Boss mode) and an extra DVD with a written feature and a video presentation on the Making of MGS2.
The hour-long video documentary, made by French outfit Fun TV, includes many interested anecdotes and details about MGS2, such as plans for an additional boss (dubbed "Chinaman" and based on Jet Li, many of his powers were later inherited by Vamp), the Flamenco dancer who provided the inspiration for Vamp, and how Kojima's marriage contributed to the relationship between Jack and Rose. Gamers.com will be taking a closer look at this DVD later in the week, so stay tuned for more detailed information.

Kojima refused to be drawn on his plans for the future, insisting that he still did not know what he had planned next, but it seems unlikely that those plans will involve an extensive role in the next Metal Gear game. Although he never ruled out making a sequel, numerous references were made throughout his answers and through the video presentation to Kojima "passing on" the knowledge of how to make a Metal Gear game to his team. In fact, in the video he alludes to the ending of MGS2 -- where Snake imparts sage-like advice to Raiden and leaves him with the destiny of his life in his own hands -- as being akin to Kojima teaching his team how to make Metal Gear games, and his team having the choice of whether to continue the series.

What platform might we see the next Metal Gear on? Kojima stated that "if lots of fans ask us for a Metal Gear game on another platform, we'll do it." However, he flat-out refused to answer any questions pertaining to Metal Gear Solid X, the supposed Xbox version of MGS2. Hrm.

Regarding some of the negative feedback to the game, Kojima was rather honest in saying that there were too many "passive cinematic elements" and not enough gameplay -- obvious, yes, but a somewhat surprising admission from a man who clearly loves those elements. He also said that Raiden was a "one-time" character, unlikely to return... and that they had received a constant stream of emails complaining about Raiden! He was unrepentant, however. "Through Raiden, we get a new perspective of Snake, a new appreciation," Kojima said.

MGS2's composer, famed Hollywood musician Harry Gregson-Williams (whose credits include Armageddon, Chicken Run, Shrek and Tigger Movie, believe it or not), was also present to answer a few questions. Gregson-Williams noted that producing game music was more liberating, as he had no visuals or time limits to go by and instead was sent ideas by Kojima to base his music around. "Sometimes it's a little bit sneaky, sometimes a little heroic, sometimes noble," he noted. When asked about gaming's validity as an art form, Gregson-Williams was full of praise for Kojima, saying that "he probably has as much talent as any Hollywood filmmaker." And he was apparently blown away the first time he saw the infamous MGS2 E3 trailer, his first glimpse of the game. This, however, is not surprising given that the last video game he played was Pong! "Things have moved on somewhat," Gregson-Williams noted soberly.

Kojima was then grilled further by another selection of questions -- including one on the game's cost. Kojima stated that they did do extensive calculations, and said it cost as much as a Godzilla movie (though wouldn't reveal which one), and that it cost more than the most expensive Japanese film. More expensive than Shenmue, perhaps? "No, Shenmue's quite expensive," he laughed.


http://www.gamers.com/news/1099198