Hideo Kojima harbors a significant regret in relation to Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, centered around a musical piece he was unable to acquire rights for. Be advised that the following contains narrative spoilers for Peace Walker.
In the game's climax on the PSP, The Boss commands the Peace Walker AI weapon to drown itself, effectively terminating its existence. During this pivotal moment, the AI, embodying The Boss, performs 'Sing' by Joe Raposo, a piece initially crafted for Sesame Street before gaining wider recognition through a cover by The Carpenters.
This particular scene is the source of Kojima's significant remorse. Through a social media post, the game's director disclosed that an alternative song was initially envisioned to conclude The Boss' narrative arc in the game's finale. Despite efforts, including a visit to the song's owning family, rights acquisition failed, leading to the adoption of 'Sing' as a substitute. Although not his preliminary preference, Kojima still regards 'Sing' as a "great song." The director withheld the identity of the initially intended song, which he claims would have seamlessly complemented Peace Walker's overarching themes of "peace" and the 1970s era.
In additional discussions, Kojima delves into the genesis of Peace Walker, commemorating its fourteenth anniversary. Originally touted as Metal Gear Solid 5: Peace Walker, it faced opposition from Konami's marketing division, postponing the series' next sequel by four years. The directive to aim Peace Walker at a younger audience, including elementary to high school students, was strategic, seeking to captivate both new young fans and their parents.
For an insight into future gaming releases, including Kojima's Death Stranding 2, explore our upcoming games 2024 guide.