Hideo Kojima recently linked to a Famitsu article about a Metal Gear Solid V theory that he wants fans to read.
[Repost]One of the MGSV theories, finally got English translation. https://t.co/ry33aQlMV3
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) February 26, 2016
While he does not elaborate why he is sharing the link, by implication Kojima is saying much of what is mentioned here is accurate, or at least, that he finds it interesting.
Famitsu originally ran this interview last December 2015 with one Kenji Yano, a Kadokawa staffer who wrote a book about Metal Gear Solid V. Now translated to English by Famitsu, Kenji’s ideas are available to Western readers.
Kenji mainly explains why there are so many Moby Dick references within the game. Usually, Kojima does not just add in references to things he likes for fun. When he does so, there are connections and hidden meanings to those references to the plot and themes of his games.
In this case, Kojima references Moby Dick because it hearkens back to an age when whaling was ubiquitous. During the whaling era, whales were the primary source for oil, and hence, literally the resource that powered and dominated the world. Kojima wanted to make connections between whaling and nuclear power, and in this way, give his commentary about energy. As society sees progress in the development and discovery of energy, it changes society, and this, as Kojima implies, is true of any age.
Kenji makes another connection between Moby Dick and Metal Gear Solid V; revenge. Moby Dick had a prevailing theme of revenge with Ahab going after the whale, and so did Snake want revenge in Metal Gear Solid V. However, Kenji argues secondary characters in both media also thought of revenge, and saw it in their own way. In the same way that Starbuck desires but wavers in killing Ahab, Quiet can’t bring herself to kill Snake, and even defects to his side.
Kenji has other interesting ideas regarding Metal Gear Solid V. On the matter of whether the game is unfinished, Kenji flips it back to the fans complaining to Kojima about this. Kenji theorizes fans experienced dissonance when learning the truth about the playable character and Big Boss. The revelation of The Kingdom of the Flies content gave them a reason to vent, because they could not complain about the thing they were actually upset about. Kenji himself thinks The Kingdom of the Flies is unnecessary, as Kojima made his points with the final release.
Do you think you agree with Kenji’s theories? What do you make of Kojima’s tacit endorsement? Read the translated interview here and tell us what you think below. You can also read more about The Kingdom of the Flies, or, read Kojima’s own ideas on how he makes games.
