Can “Metal Gear Solid” continue without Hideo Kojima?
If the upcoming “Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater” proves to be commercially successful, it seems we might see more remakes of this iconic series, and possibly even some new installments.
From Star Wars or Alien, through Resident Evil or Final Fantasy, to Batman, various franchises have generally been able to “outlive” their creators.
However, can a franchise continue successfully even after the departure of the person who was a key factor in its success, as is the case with Hideo Kojima and Metal Gear Solid?
Judging by the failure of Snake’s Revenge: Metal Gear 2 and Metal Gear Survive, the only sequels Kojima did not participate in, it seems unlikely. But if we are to judge by the recent promotional video for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (a remake of MGS 3: Snake Eater), Konami might still attempt this small miracle.
In a pleasant conversation with David Hayter (aka Solid Snake), producer Noriaki Okamura revealed that his team has been entrusted with “the future of Metal Gear.” He also commented that he wants players to judge for themselves whether this team (reportedly composed mostly of “people who worked on the original games”) is up to the rather thankless task.
Whether Okamura and his team’s efforts will make Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater the first in what will surely be an endless series of remakes will depend, of course, solely on the number of copies sold. However, if it proves to be commercially successful, there is no doubt that Konami will “treat” us to the first main entry of this iconic video game series that will not bear the creative signature of Kojima-san.
