During a recent interview, Noriaki Okamura, the producer of the Metal Gear Solid series, expressed his keen interest in collaborating with Hideo Kojima once again. The conversation took place in the inaugural episode of the Metal Gear Solid Production Hotline, during which Okamura openly discussed his aspirations and acknowledged the potential challenges associated with such a reunion.
When questioned about the prospect of the original development team reuniting to work on future Metal Gear Solid titles, Okamura clarified that he was unable to speak on behalf of individuals who are no longer affiliated with Konami. He acknowledged that it was beyond his scope to anticipate or comment on the decisions of those who have pursued other endeavors. Nevertheless, on a personal level, he explicitly conveyed his desire to work with Kojima and the rest of Kojima Productions once more.
In his own words, Okamura stated, “But just speaking for myself, personally, I’d like nothing better than to work with Mr. Kojima and the rest of the team again. If that could happen, that would be the dream,” thus demonstrating his deep respect and admiration for the original team. Nonetheless, he recognized that the evolving paths of life and careers had led many original developers in new directions, rendering a potential reunion complex and uncertain.
Regarding the autonomy and responsibility of the current development team in creating Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Okamura underscored the significance of delivering a high-quality product with the existing resources and team, rather than overly relying on the original creators.
He added, “But people have moved on to new things and new commitments, so that’s just our current reality. We can’t just take for granted that everyone would work with us again, or let ourselves be completely dependent on them.” He further stated, “I just don’t think it’s right for us to be the ones to make that kind of demand of anyone. So we’re working with the expectation that whatever we make, it’s up to us, it’s on our shoulders to do a good job.”
In response to inquiries about the recognition of the original development team, Okamura reassured fans that Kojima and the original staff would be duly credited for their contributions to Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, similar to the recent Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection. This would entail comprehensive credits for their roles in the original games, thereby preserving their legacy within the series.