Hideo Kojima interview from Videogames Impact Report

As promised, all week we'll be providing transcripts of some of the interviews conducted for Variety's just released videogames impact report. First up is "Metal Gear Solid" impresario Hideo Kojima. And who better to interview him than "Metal Gear" player, Variety critic, Kotaku news editor and SexyVideogameLand proprietor Leigh Alexander? Here's her conversation with Kojima:

How do you define your goals as a director? 

I don't really set specific goals. I just want to continue my career and create games as a game designer until the day I die. Games are unique, fluid media, which evolves with technologies and times. I am going to keep absorbing cutting-edge technologies and keep current and try to always be one step ahead. Someday I hope games will be recognized as a "subculture" which stays with people and the times.

As a game critic, I've always felt that MGS as a series had a purpose outside of "just being a game." Was that your intention?

I don't think every game needs to have a purpose outside of "just being a game." But when I create games, I do hope that it serves a purpose higher than just being a game.

When I was a child, computer games did not exist. In my case, movies, comics, novels and music from around the world supported me and helped make me who I am. These mediums encouraged me, taught me, healed me and sometimes even saved me. Now I am creating games, hoping to return the favor.

I was lucky to have met good people, read good books, watched good movies and listened to good music. They made me who I am. Therefore, I hope that people will treasure the games I create and it will shape them in a beneficial way. 

What impact would you like Snake's finale in MGS 4 to have on fans, and on the industry?

The heroes in most animations and movies don't age. They are often immortal. Snake, on the other hand, has aged with the times. I made him this way because of the unique characteristics of the game medium. Snake is a fictional character, but at the same time he represents the players themselves because of the interactive nature of games.

This is very different from other types of entertainment mediums in which you just watch or listen. Therefore, Snake’s memories become the players own journey. In that sense, I believe that interactive games are somewhat similar to live shows that reflect the signs of the times. Therefore, this allowed me the opportunity to bring the character of Snake to life and make the story more realistic by showing signs of his aging.

One decade has passed since the release of Metal Gear Solid. I believe that fans have shared these past 10 years with Snake. The final story of Snake equals closure for these fans. Therefore, the Snake that has existed over the past 10 years could have only existed during this time.

I would like you to think that this good-bye to Snake is a good-bye to this era and represents closure to your old self. If there ever were to be a new Snake (might have a different name), he will be a Snake for a new era. 

Whenever I write about you, I usually theorize that you are influenced by postmodernist authors like Haruki Murakami. Do you see yourself this way?

I am afraid that I haven't read too much of Mr. Haruki Murakami's works. But if you are talking about post-modernism in the sense of antithesis to modern literature, I think I am influenced by such writers. 

It is true that I created MGS as an antithesis to current games and trends. I tried to create something new and unique that does not fit in the existing genres and categories. If I were to pick a few American writers, I think Paul Auster, Phillip Kindred Dick and Kurt Vonnegut are good examples.

I recall reading once that you said it was important to have Raiden in the story, since he appeals to female fans more than Snake does. Personally, I love Snake and Big Boss. I mean, Raiden is OK, but Snake is the best. I cried like a baby at the end of MGS 4.

I'm honored that women feel that way!