Hideo Kojima, mastermind behind the critically acclaimed — and largely perplexing — Metal Gear Solid series, seems to have burned another bridge. This time with former original Snake voice David Hayter.
In the latest episode of The Game Informer Show published yesterday via Game Informer , hosts Ben Hanson and Tim Turi ( formerly Game Informer , currently Capcom) talked with voice director Kris Zimmerman Salter and a plethora of voice actors on the history and recording of 1998’s Metal Gear Solid .
David Hayter: Kojima Tried to Replace Me Before, MGSV Would be “60 Hours of Humiliation” https://t.co/39qAFl1ixd pic.twitter.com/FUglFFCnIt
— Niche Gamer (@nichegamer) March 27, 2016
Titled “The Inside Story of Recording Metal Gear Solid ,” both Hanson and Turi video chatted with David Hayter, Kris Zimmerman Salter, Cam Clarke (voice of Liquid Snake), and others on the trying and arduous process of recording one of the most rhapsodized games in gaming history. As much as it is known as “one of the most cinematic, interactive experiences in gaming,” it seems to have taken a toll on the relationships of those involved, namely Kojima and Hayter. Throughout the approximate one-hour-ten-minute episode, David Hayter discussed the initial audition for Snake, the process of finding Snake’s voice, creating the “Game Over” scream, and more, all while sprinkling in Snake’s gruff voice mid-conversation.
During the production of the titular Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain , Hayter visited the recording studio to talk with one of the producers of Metal Gear . Hayter took this producer out to lunch, asking whether he is to return as Snake, but the producer said, “We won’t be needing you at the moment.” According to Hayter, Konami have tried to get voice matches before, but it never worked out. “It’s horrible, and it’s humiliating, but I work in Hollywood and I’m a screenwriter—I get fired from every job I get, it’s just the nature of the business. It was annoying to me because I felt like I’ve given a lot to the series.”
3/3 Technology always evolves and it changes our way of developing but it’s always fun to work on this. pic.twitter.com/hS4f7ORbwh
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) March 24, 2016
When asked if he has played Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain , David kind of scoffed, “That’d be 60 hours of humiliation I can’t wait to get to. So no, I haven’t played the latest two iterations because it was too painful.”
As for the the man, the myth, the legend, Mr. Hideo Kojima, David Hayter said he has no real desire or reason to work for him again. However, he is interested in collaborating with Konami on another project. (Or another Metal Gear , if that happens.)
“I was kind of hoping Konami would bring me back now that [Kojima] is gone. I’ve got no particular love for Kojima—I respect him, and I think he’s a brilliant game maker. I don’t know him as a person, and as a businessman I was not impressed. So no, I don’t feel any need to go back and work with him again.”
As the video wrapped up, all of those who starred on the show eulogized Metal Gear Solid , breathing more life into its praise. Both Ben Hanson and Tim Turi, fans of the series, fell deeper in love with Metal Gear Solid than ever before. Tim Turi explicitly said, “[The podcast] made me love it even more.”
You can watch (or listen to) the entire podcast on Game Informer ‘s website, iTunes, YouTube, or down below.
[Photo by Richard Shotwell/AP Images]