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Hideo Kojima on "The Great Escape"

M

Mr. RHC

Member
KjiBHZX.png


Let's have a look back first:
Hideo Kojima is an avid movie lover and he is known to pay tribute to his favourite movies.
The visuals of his games often very closely resemble its inspirations, Snatcher for example was heavily inspired by Blade Runner. Hal was named after the A.I. in 2001: A Space Odyseey. We have to thank Full Metal Jacket for the creation of Sniper Wolf and James Bond for Snake's secret ops.

A selection of a few of his favourite films can be found here:
http://www.tsutaya.co.jp/movie/sp/mgs4/cinema.html
Descriptions:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.84679-The-15-Films-that-Influenced-Hideo-Kojima
http://kotaku.com/5135173/rent-15-movies-that-influenced-metal-gear-solid

Gillian and Deckard
2197318-bladerunner.jpg


06snatcher1.jpg


At this point, I'd like to redirect you to Kojima's GDC 2009 keynote where he talks about making the impossible possible in game creation. He talks about how he and his team were restricted to create a "classic" war game with the technological limits at the time and how they used game design and advancement in technology as "ladders" to create the "ultimate Metal Gear". You also find out why Snake can't jump higher than Mario. :p

http://www.gamespot.com/videos/gdc-2009-hideo-kojima-keynote-address-part-1-intro/2300-6206910/

---
In past interviews Hideo Kojima has stated that "The Great Escape"(1963, allied prisoners escape from a German POW camp) is the reason why Metal Gear turned out to be an infiltration stealth game. Originally, the game was about escape much like the movie but he decided to create the game around a more classic plot.[2]

First on my list has to be that classic of classics, The Great Escape. Of all movie experiences that served as the fertilizer for growing the fruit of MGS, this is one of the most powerful. If The Great Escape didn't exist, there probably would be no MGS today. What's so amazing about this film is that it is based on a real story, yet is really entertaining, too. And I learned so much about World War II from it (as I did from Claustrophobia and US Independence Day), things that they don't teach you in school.
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You're just confined in a 'concentration camp' in that area. Then you can escape again. You can walk, take the train or a boat, disguise yourself, forge documents and escape as far as possible. If you cross the border, you complete the game. How many days you spend escaping and what route you take are the real pleasure of Metal Gear Solid.
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Now, I can highly recommend watching "The Great Escape" it is quite entertaining and thrilling and has aged very well!

I've stated in other posts that open world seems to be the logical conclusion and evolution of the series, a Kojima driven evolution at least. As presented above in the keynote, it seems he always had something like this in mind. Of course, he didn't know at the time that he would still be developing Metal Gear after all these years but this might as well have been a subconscious thing. Maybe if someone else had directed the series after say MGS2 onwards, we might have seen games more limited on infiltration in smaller areas. Who would have dared to drastically chance the established Metal Gear formula?



"The evolution of searchlights"

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r1mwWJX.png
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Top view: http://metalgear.wikia.com/wiki/Met...ugh/Tank_Hangar?file=Shadow_Moses_intel_2.jpg

JvcDTNc.jpg
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How did you guys experience the evolution of the series, did you see "The Great Escape" and the other movies in the list above?
I wonder what it can mean for Metal Gear Solid in the future.. fully developed real AIs as bosses? Highly complex area scenarios with "realistic" soldier routines?

Sniper battles which span over realtime weeks? Maybe virtual reality devices such as Oculus Rift and its predecessors might play a vital role in the future of the series.

Do you believe open-world scenarios can offer the same level of polish in both narrative and gameplay as more linear experiences?


Additional links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Escape_(film)

[2] http://www.metalgearsolid.net/features/hideo-kojima-at-the-movies-the-great-escape

http://www.theatlantic.com/entertai...ecame-a-legendary-video-game-designer/254831/
 
L

LiK

Member
He's in love with Pacific Rim right now. I hope it makes him want to make a new ZOE with giant monsters.
 
A

andycapps

Member
The Great Escape is a classic movie. Worthy of emulation, though I think that Escape From New York combined with the Bond movies is how I'd characterize Metal Gear. Also, trip on acid while you're writing it and that's pretty much the plot.
 
Z

zma1013

Member
strafer said:
Kojima should make the Metal Gear Solid movie.
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I think he should as well as I really don't think there's any other directors out there that could inject it with his Kojimaness. Unfortunately though, I don't think Kojima could control himself to edit down a story to fit a 2 - 3 hour time limit. I don't think Kojima knows the meaning of the word "edit."
 
S

Sgblues

Member
Yeah Zero in MGS3 gives himself the codename Major Tom after one of the tunnels in the great Escape(Dick and Harry were the names of the other tunnels)

Though it was Harry that was the somewhat successful tunnel in the movie, not Tom as Zero stated,also there was a 4th tunnel named George that wasn't listed
 
M

Mr. RHC

Member
MacNille said:
I have never played Snatcher. Should I do that?
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Everybody should, really! Snatcher and Policenauts are very enjoyable! They are also filled with references to other movies and Metal Gear.

Here, Lethal Weapon reference in Policenauts:
http://elblogdemanu.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/pnvslw7rp.jpg

thequickandthedead said:
Sniper Wolf was inspired by Full Metal Jacket? wtf?
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It makes sense, Kojima really must be a huge Kubrick fan. Strangelove even from Peace Walker,

images


there's like an entire movie about her by Kubrick:
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. The list goes on and on!
 
R

RedSwirl

Junior Member
I'm surprised no one has pointed out the similarities between Snake and John Rambo, particularly as he appeared in First Blood 1 and 2. MGS3 is filled with references to First Blood 2.
 
D

Dictator93

Member
Dingo Egret said:
That is just a girl with a gun - not a girl that has a sniper rifle that is calm, cool and collected.

EDIT: I just watched the footage - I stand corrected - although how do you snipe with an AK-47 ;)
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a xniper is just a designated markman. You can use any rifle you want.
 
S

StanTowers

Member
Dingo Egret said:
That is just a girl with a gun - not a girl that has a sniper rifle that is calm, cool and collected.

EDIT: I just watched the footage - I stand corrected - although how do you snipe with an AK-47 ;)
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She snipes Eightball and uses him as bait like Sniper Wolf snipes Meryll and uses her as bait. You snipe by pointing your rifle at your target from a lager distance and shoot.
 
M

Mr. RHC

Member
Dr_Swales said:
That motorbike is ....
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lol

Sgblues said:
Yeah Zero in MGS3 gives himself the codename Major Tom after one of the tunnels in the great Escape(Dick and Harry were the names of the other tunnels)

Though it was Harry that was the somewhat successful tunnel in the movie, not Tom as Zero stated,also there was a 4th tunnel named George that wasn't listed
Click to expand...


Ah, yes indeed, here is the scene! 12m29seconds!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxUDOn9tngw#t=12m29s
 
D

Dr_Swales

Member
Sgblues said:
Yeah Zero in MGS3 gives himself the codename Major Tom after one of the tunnels in the great Escape(Dick and Harry were the names of the other tunnels)

Though it was Harry that was the somewhat successful tunnel in the movie, not Tom as Zero stated,also there was a 4th tunnel named George that wasn't listed
Click to expand...

Zero actually states that he was initially wrong about the tunnel name later on in the game and talks about the movie if you codec him.

Not sure that needed spoiler tags ...
 
T

twisteddeeds

Member
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/88824-The-15-Films-that-Influenced-Hideo-Kojima

15 films that influenced Hideo Kojima

The Guns of Navarone - The classic World War II thriller that inspired the "espionage action" the Metal Gear series is known for.

The Great Escape - Greatest Steve McQueen movie ever? Another World War II film that tells the real-life story of the attempts of Allied prisoners escaping a German POW camp.

Goldfinger - One of Sean Connery's many Bond films as well as the film that Kojima most credits the creation of Metal Gear to.

2001: A Space Odyssey - Considered to be one of the greatest films of all time, Metal Gear Solid's Otacon was named after 2001's famous artificial intelligence, Hal.

Planet of the Apes - Not the musical, unfortunately, though Kojima does appreciate how it told its tale of society in a piece of entertainment.

The Deer Hunter - Witness the birth of ... Solid Snake's bandanna.

Dawn of the Dead - I don't recall many zombies making their way into the Metal Gear Solid series (Liquid's arm aside), but it sounds like Kojima really enjoys its ... air ducts and closed spaces. Okay!

Full Metal Jacket - Another Kubrick classic, the films female sniper inspired Kojima to try one of his own and thus, Sniper Wolf.

Die Hard - I'm going to guess that it was just the sheer bad ass nature of Die Hard that does it for Kojima.

Heat - One of the greatest movies of all time that features without question, one of the greatest firefights in cinematic history.

Predator - Octocamo. Ain' nothing wrong with that.

Black Hawk Down - One of Kojima's biggest inspirations when it came to placing the Metal Gear Solid series in the middle east for its fourth installment.

Children of Men - A critical favorite, Kojima seems to have enjoyed the cinematography here more than anything else.

The Bourne Identity - Hard-hitting action, a return to great car chases and Matt Damon. Hey, what's not to love here?

Casino Royale - Finally, the biggest influence upon Metal Gear, James Bond specifically Sean Connery.
Click to expand...
 
SkylineRKR

SkylineRKR

Member
I thought Snake was based on Robert Rath and Sniper Wolf on Miquel Bain.

But I remember Hideo saying in an interview way back that Luc Besson was his favourite director. I checked him out for that reason, and Leon: The Professional turned out to be one of the greatest movies I've seen.
 
M

Mr. RHC

Member
RaikuHebi said:
In case you're not joking, he originally wanted to be a director. He absolutely adores movies as much we Gaffers love games probably.
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There's a really good interview about this too, hosted by Geoff Keighley held at the University of California, you've probably seen this! He talks a bit about making Super 8 movies etc. if I recall correctly!

http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/ea6u9k/hideo-kojima-usc-interview-part-1


SkylineRKR said:
I thought Snake was based on Robert Rath and Sniper Wolf on Miquel Bain.
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OMG, Banderas! :p Yea, all this things are inspirations, there surely are various sources for his inspirations!
 
R

RaikuHebi

Banned
Mr. RHC said:
There's a really good interview about this too, hosted by Geoff Keighley held at the University of California, you've probably seen this! He talks a bit about making Super 8 movies etc. if I recall correctly!

http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/ea6u9k/hideo-kojima-usc-interview-part-1




OMG, Banderas! :p Yea, all this things are inspirations, there surely are various sources for his inspirations!
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I have not actually, thanks for the share.

BadWolf said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8VB2QEVAc0
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I can also see an influence for that pivotal moment in MGS3.
 
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