Computer and Video Games has posted an interview with Konami’s Hideo Kojima about the next sequel in the Metal Gear Solid franchise. In the interview, Kojima explains why he decided to return to the Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (MGS3) project, why the fourth Metal Gear Solid title might not be released in North America and various topics surrounding development decisions in MGS3. Click here to view the full article.

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Were you worried about getting rid of the radar in Snake Eater and getting players to rely more on their senses?

Hideo Kojima: I had initial concerns. It was a split decision even within the team. The thing about the radar is when I originally came up with the game Metal Gear in 1987 and then Metal Gear 2 in 1990, the hardware didn’t allow games to scroll. That’s why we originally created the radar, so that the player could see the positions of enemies who are outside the screen. I guess the radar in Metal Gear Solid and Sons of Liberty are residuals of that.

With Snake Eater I decided to go back to basics and the original plan of not having the radar. We discussed it within the team and decided that not having the radar would increase the level of tension in the game. Of course, there are radar-esque items in the game, but they’re not the same as in the previous Metal Gears. We’ve heard from many fans that they wanted the radar, but judging from most reactions I think not having the radar makes for a scarier, more frightening and thrilling game, so I think the decision was a good one.