We don’t hear from much from Snake in the Metal Gear Solid V videos shown today. But what we have heard from the main character of Hideo Kojima’s fan-favorite series sounded different. There may be a reason for that. It appears that actor/screenwriter David Hayter, who’s done the English language voice for Solid Snake in every Metal Gear game, won’t be reprising the role in Metal Gear Solid V.
Hints first came a few weeks ago on Twitter, when Hayter wondered how fans might feel if he weren’t in the game.
Then today, Hayter seemed to confirm on Twitter that he wasn’t going to be involved:
Meanwhile, it sure sounds like Ishmael—the character who helps Snake up in the gameplay trailer—is being voiced by Kiefer Sutherland.
Now this could be all another round of Kojima misdirection, like the whole Phantom Pain/Joakim Mogren/Moby Dick Studios red herring that surrounded the reveal of the game now known to be Metal Gear Solid V. Hayter may still be involved in MGS V but as a different character, and it may be that he wasn’t technically asked as it was mutually understood that he’d be involved. But, if Hayter’s remarks are true at face value, then Metal Gear Solid V may be the end of an era for English-speaking fans of the stealth franchise.
Kotaku has reached out to Hayter and Konami and will update the story if they respond.
Here's Hayter as Snake (jump ahead 90 seconds):
Here's Hayter as himself in Metal Gear Solid 4.
Here's what the new Snake—the guy with the shiny new arm—sounds like in the gameplay video: