So I contributed a bit to Variety's "Video Games Impact Report," a list of people from various facets of the biz who are judged to be having an effect on things. Simple, right? I talked to, and wrote bios on, Travellers' Tales' Jon Burton, Club Penguin's Lane Merrifield, and Hideo Kojima.
Yeah, I really did! And the full transcript of my Kojima interview is currently up on the blog of Variety's game reporter, Ben Fritz, for whom I did the assignment.
Highlight one:
"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."
And, while I asked him about his directorial goals, how he feels about games that are "just a game," and the impact he hopes MGS4 would have, I also couldn't resist:
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!
Read it, huh?
