Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Preview

Acclaimed videogame developer, Hideo Kojima, today took time off from developing Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater to outline some of the key aspects set to feature in the forthcoming Playstation2 title.

As TVG readers will know when we previously looked at the system, Metal Gear Solid 3 introduces a new â??Camouflage Indexâ?? disguise system introducing an entirely new survival-orientated gameplay dynamic to the series, along with an all-new â??CQCâ?? close quarter combat mechanism and revolutionary motion-capture.

Represented by a percentage meter in the top-right of the screen, the Camouflage Index is dependant on three factors and determines how visible Snake is to his pursuers. Kojima-san confirmed that a greater number of factors will come into play when determining how effectively Snake blends into his environment, including posture, costume and face paint; each of which have a direct impact on the percentage meter â?“ so when Snake is at 100% you can be sure that guards will pass by within inches of his prone form. This all ties in with the dense jungle environment, allowing Snake to crouch or lie flat in the long blades of grass and vegetation; whilst a range of camouflage suits and suitable face paints can help Snake to further blend into the background.

Further innovation to the series comes in a radical new departure for the series via the â??CQCâ?? combat system. Developed in conjunction with the series military advisor, Motosadi Mori, the CQC system sees Snake using hand-to-hand combat to take out his opponents. Itâ??s claimed that the system allows Snake to take out multiple adversaries, both quickly and efficiently as opposed to risking detection when using a gun. However itâ??s not just hand-to-hand combat, as the system automatically comes into effect when Snake has a gun or a knife selected as the default weapon, whilst Snakeâ??s posture also has a profound effect on his ability to throw or attack opponents.

The increase in fighting moves has meant that Kojima and his team have had to employ revolutionary, new motion-capture techniques to ensure the smooth transitions between animations and that theyâ??re faithful to proper military tactics. This has been used to almost comedy effect, with trampolines used to depict the effects of explosions on unsuspecting victims â?“ widely used in the movie business, but weâ??re told a first for the videogames industry.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is scheduled for its first public appearance at E3; weâ??ll have a closer look soon.