Hideo Kojima Talks About Metal Gear Solid V’s Open-World And Online Features

Metal Gear Solid V was not only Konami’s biggest highlight of this year’s E3, but it was also one of the event’s most anticipated titles. Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind the Metal Gear Solid series, took some time to talk to Famitsu.com in a recent interview about the game’s open-world system and shared some ideas on what we can expect to see in the online multiplayer mode.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will be taking place in Afghanistan circa 1984. It may baffle some people as to why he chose a setting in the ‘80s. Famitsu asks his reason for picking that year in particular.

“When I think of the year 1984, Orwell’s novel comes to mind (George Orwell’s dystopian novel ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’). For this reason, there’s an Orwell-like theme included, too,” says Kojima.

“Actually, the decision to have the setting in the year 1984 was something I aimed for back in MGS3. The time setting of MGS3 was 1964, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker was 10 years after that, in 1974. Then 10 years after that it’s 1984. The Cold War era might be a little bit too far back for the younger kids today to understand, but the year 1984 wasn’t exactly too far back, which makes it good. By the way, Afghanistan won’t be the only stage.”

Kojima recently revealed that Metal Gear Solid V will be an open-world game that features an online multiplayer mode. Famitsu asks how the series’ signature stealth aspect will be changing to fit the new game system.

Kojima replies, “When it comes to realistic linear-styled FPS games, the game designers set up a rail which the players travel along. It’s similar to those haunted house attractions, where if you step somewhere, there will be an explosion or some sort of hole. That’s fun in it’s own way, but it’s not where a game’s true strength lies. If there are one million players, then having one million different ways to play, is the game’s strength.”

“You’ll be looking at the situation and thinking about what decisions to make,” Kojima continued. “During the day the area might be full of enemies, so some may want to act at night. That said, it might also be a little too dark at night, so you’ll be required to use some light. The risk of getting caught might be higher, but there might be less guards. We’re creating it so such intuitions will be understandable. In other words, it will be something like a ‘realistic infiltrating simulator’.”

After Famitsu pointed out the scene from the trailer that showed off a stealth feature of hiding behind a horse, Kojima gives an example of how it Metal Gear Solid V will be different as an open-world title:

“There will be a lot more (laughs). Also, the focus in the latest trailer was the carrier truck-riding scene. If it were a linear game, after getting on a cargo truck at a specific location, I believe that it would be followed by a cut-scene that takes you to another area. However, Metal Gear Solid V is open-world, so you’ll get to jump off anywhere you’d like. As I’ve previously mentioned, it will be a realistic infiltration,” Kojima emphasizes.

Metal Gear Solid V will feature an online multiplayer mode, that is currently being worked on by Konami’s Los Angeles Studio. Famitsu asks Kojima about the online feature and what else we could expect from it.

Says Kojima, “In today’s gaming standards, it’s a minimal requirement, so it’ll definitely be there. However, I want to focus on broadening an aspect of Metal Gear Solid V that is not a versus or co-op mode. For example, you might be traveling from point A of a map to point B on horse. Then you might be able to announce your record time on a social media platform and start a race with everyone. Those who can’t participate in the race may be able to observe it on a tablet, so it’ll be different for everyone. Metal Gear Solid V’s necessity to being an open-world title, will make these things possible.”

Metal Gear Solid V is currently in development for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.