Veteran voice actor David Hayter, legendary among PlayStation fans for his 15-year stint as Solid Snake and Big Boss, will not be voicing either in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. This news rocked the PlayStation world when it broke last week, but other than a frustrating non-answer from director Hideo Kojima, it’s been radio silence.
Today, Hayter changed all that with a rather illuminating TwitLonger post that describes, in detail, how Hayter found out Kojima and co. "wouldn’t be needing" him for the latest Metal Gear installment. "I have been in Toronto, for the past eight months, directing my first film," Hayter begins. "On the December break, I came home to Los Angeles for the holidays. I heard then that recording sessions for MG: V were being put together. . . . So, I got in touch with someone involved in the production. We got together for lunch, and he told me that they ‘wouldn’t be needing me’ on this game."
"No reason, or explanation was given beyond that. And that was it."
Hayter went on to describe his great love for the Metal Gear series, Solid Snake, and the fans that have honored him throughout the years. "To be clear, I love being a part of the world of Metal Gear. . . . But primarily, I love the fans of these games." He continued: "Two grown men burst into tears upon meeting me at the Vancouver Fan Expo last year. Now that… Is a rare and excellent role. You know you’re making an impact."
"If it were my choice, I would do this role forever . . . And know that I will miss this job, and this character, very much."
Hayter’s full response is reproduced below, and is enough to make any longtime PlayStation fan well tears of remembrance.
METAL GEAR V
By
David Hayter
So,
Here’s a recap of events:
I have been up in Toronto, for the past eight months, directing my first film, (WOLVES — 2013, TF1/COPPERHEART). On the December break, I came home to Los Angeles for the holidays. I heard then, that recording sessions for MG:V were being put together.
But I didn’t hear anything about whether I’d be needed or not.
So, I got in touch with someone involved in the production. We got together for lunch, and he told me that they "wouldn’t be needing me" on this game. No reason, or explanation was given beyond that.
And that was it.
I drove home through Laurel Canyon, bummed, and thinking about Snake.
To be clear, I love being a part of the world of Metal Gear. I admire its technological innovations, the gameplay, the political message of it all. But primarily, I love the fans of these games. Two grown men burst into tears upon meeting me at the Vancouver Fan Expo last year.
Now that… Is a rare and excellent role. You know you’re making an impact.
And I love doing it.
In 1998, I tried to do come up with a voice which epitomized the kind of worn, put-upon, genetically-engineered clone-soldier that I saw Snake to be. Over time, as the games became more stunning and visually sophisticated, I tried to transition that initial voice into the increasingly real environments in which Snake found himself. My level of success is up to you, but any perceived deficiencies were not for lack of hard work. I have dedicated a huge amount of time and effort into creating a compelling character, capable of expressing the myriad emotional, physical and psychological hurdles that Snake has to face.
Anyway, now it’s been fifteen years, nine games, and an enormous blast to undertake.
If it were my choice, I would do this role forever. To hear anyone else’s voice coming from Snake’s battered throat, makes me a little ill, to be honest.
But the truth is — it’s not my choice. Any and all casting decisions are the sole purview of Hideo Kojima, and Konami itself. And that’s fair.
And I’ll get by. I am not lacking for employment on any level.
But I didn’t want anybody to think that I was intentionally abandoning them.
And know that I will miss this job, and this character, very much.
My best wishes to you all,
David Hayter
April 1, 2013
—–
We’ll miss you, Snake.