Except he didn’t because he actually didn’t really rip off anything. If you’ve watched Escape from New York recently (or just fondly remember it), it’s hard not to look at Metal Gear Solid’s Snake/Big Boss and not see the on-the-nose resemblance. The eye patch with the long flowing mullet, all brought together by a gruff voice that just oozes badass. And the fact that Escape from new York’s lead is also called…well…Snake.
It’s no secret that Kojima designed his own lead with strong references to Snake Plissken. He loves the film so much that an alias Solid Snake went by in Metal gear Solid II was actually and even more blatant reference, with the character going by the name “Iroquois Plissken” for most of the game. At a time the IP owners of Escape from New York, CanalPlus, actually wanted to take the game designer to court over it. Until John Carpenter himself told them not to.
“[CanalPlus] wanted to also go after the video game Metal Gear Solid, which is kind of a rip-off of Escape From New York, too, but I told them not to do that. I know the director of those games, and he’s a nice guy, or at least he’s nice to me.”
Carpenter’s admiration for Kojima aside (although it is quite hilarious to think that’s why he wasn’t sued), Metal Gear Solid really doesn’t bear much else in common with the film. It isn’t about an agent sent into a massive prison to rescue the President’s daughter (although Resident Evil 4 almost fits that mold). Aside from the neat throwback in Snake himself, there’s nothing else that the two have in common, which would’ve probably made the case weak to begin with.
Hideo Kojima previously explained why he chose Snake as a name, but it’s confusing and weird and not at all as endearing as just admitting it was a throwback to a piece of film he really liked. Although now I can’t really see anyone else but Snake Plissken taking down Metal Gears.
Last Updated: October 28, 2015
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 08:44
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YpC1hMzTk2A/Txbr92u8O2I/AAAAAAAACso/xQKV5Muwh8M/w800-h800/snakeplissken.jpg
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 08:44
http://www.quickmeme.com/img/ac/ac8c3f7fbfea1961b16d82c8927a044b6d11ee66afd960918f98e2b9f25c6b70.jpg
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 08:44
http://s.quickmeme.com/img/78/781ca73589f84fcdc08fd62380f9320c62046844aa61c8e30f9e4065b4d17446.jpg
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 08:44
http://www.quickmeme.com/img/38/38275b1cafcff0e071aef7fd50f82f36d9c01747ad4acae051771be5891f65fa.jpg
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 08:44
and that is why every gamer over 35 LOVE Hideo Kojimas 80s vibe. His first game was released in 1987. 28 years ago, he was 25.
P.S. Those 1980 tunes on the walkman in MGSV MAKE IT GOTY!!!! alone.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 28, 2015 at 08:46
I thought it was all just a case of Missnaken identity?
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 08:48
Also explains why Plisskin was shit at shooting and Big Boss is not. You need your left eye to aim with rifles.
RinceThis
October 28, 2015 at 09:46
Oh dear…
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 10:17
He is just warming up.
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 08:51
BRING BACK THE 80S Also, the outcry over Quiets attire just proves how long ago the 80s were 🙁
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 08:56
It was normal. KIDS
Hammersteyn
October 28, 2015 at 09:06
Kung Fury XD
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:09
ACTION!!!
Captain JJ the Goo
October 28, 2015 at 09:12
KUNG FURY IS LIFE
(Umar) Must be Cipher
October 28, 2015 at 08:59
I never understood that scene. That’s from the trailer, we clearly see venom riding the bike…yet, in The The Man Who Sold the World mission…It’s BB that drives away on the bike.
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:05
They could not give away the twist. I believed I was playing as a clone, I never expected the twist.
(Umar) Must be Cipher
October 28, 2015 at 09:54
Fair enough. Would’ve been a massive giveaway.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 28, 2015 at 08:59
Again with Quiet’s outfit. You know it’s fucking bullshit. Times CHANGE. Did you know women can vote? ;P
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 09:00
I actually saw my wife outside the house when I got home yesterday, granted, she was taking out the trash, but still, crazy.
Hammersteyn
October 28, 2015 at 09:05
Discipline is required.
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 09:09
Sal maar weer die snotsambok moet uithaal
Hammersteyn
October 28, 2015 at 09:09
hahahaha sies
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 09:12
As dit nie vir sies was nie, het ek ‘n boring lewe gehad
xD
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:10
I wonder what she is hiding? 😛
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 09:11
Well, since we had bacon for dinner (I know, awesome right?), my guess it is the parts of the pig we don’t eat
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:15
WINNER!!! If I was never allowed to eat bacon I would blow myself up.
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 09:15
HAHA, oh you
Captain JJ the Goo
October 28, 2015 at 09:16
Sounds like an experiment waiting to be attempted.
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:20
OK, That and If I was not allowed to inebriate the cerebral cortex.
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:08
Not when the franchise is based on RETRO aesthetics. That is why I love MGSV even more after playing the sequel (the first game from 1987) that came free with Snake Eater. The mechanics of the gameplay has never changed over the last 28 years. Its just got lovely graphics.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 28, 2015 at 09:11
No. Not buying your BS today. 😛
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:13
You feminazi, get back on your white stallion.
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 09:15
BUTT STALLION!
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:16
UNIHORN
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 28, 2015 at 09:33
He-Man sitting at the back like a little bitch. Retro! 80’s FTW!
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:34
lol, well its was during a time when people just had no idea what a homosexual was. George Micheal had no idea 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 28, 2015 at 09:59
Everyone knew. You’re forgetting Elton John.
RinceThis
October 28, 2015 at 09:56
You are anti-mannanist!
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:21
Win. Borderlands 2 was also very retro. It will never age.
Captain JJ the Goo
October 28, 2015 at 09:15
That’s racist
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:17
LOL I never thought of that 😛 I suppose being an 80s kid allows me not to give a shit 😛
Captain JJ the Goo
October 28, 2015 at 09:19
I have an unhealthy obsession with 80s movies.
I’ve rewatched more 80s movies this year than new releases.
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 09:19
Send me the list on Skype, I need to watch some more!
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:22
So, not the new Robocop then?
RUNS
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 28, 2015 at 09:17
…
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:18
White knight rider?… no?
I need more coffee
RinceThis
October 28, 2015 at 09:47
HAHAHAHA!
Captain JJ the Goo
October 28, 2015 at 10:30
Reply “NO” to opt out.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 28, 2015 at 10:32
I didn’t opt in. ;P
Captain JJ the Goo
October 28, 2015 at 08:57
They wish.
Nothing can touch Snake Pielskin.
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 09:18
Sies
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:24
He was so fucking bad ass in the film Soldier. It was also the first film that I watched where I child gets shot in the head. The 80s gave no fucks.
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 28, 2015 at 09:32
Soldier was released in 1998. I have the DVD. STFU about 80’s retro kak now. 😛
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:33
I knew you were still reading 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 28, 2015 at 09:34
Where else am I going to get this entertainment? 😉
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 09:36
From the EFF leader Julius Caesar.
Grand Admiral Chief SpaceNinja
October 28, 2015 at 10:04
Bwahahaha Julius
Captain JJ the Goo
October 28, 2015 at 10:26
I watched Tango and Cash the other weekend again. Also a great movie.
RinceThis
October 28, 2015 at 09:45
Yeha, the film is actiually entertaining *RUNS
oVg
October 28, 2015 at 10:18
Big trouble in little china for Saturday. Make it so, Number 1.
WitWolfy
October 28, 2015 at 10:12
Kojima should get sued for the trailer that is MGS 2, and lying right to our faces about MGS V… Just my 5c