Don't feel bad if all the convoluted relationships and multi-generational storylines of the Metal Gear Solid series are occasionally too much for you. During an interview with Eurogamer, Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima expressed a similar sentiment. "Actually, strange you ask, because I personally get confused too about the whole timeline and saga of Metal Gear Solid," Kojima said when asked about organizing his thoughts (which become the games' head-scratching reality). "This is especially tricky when you create the future first and then go back in time to create something new. There are a lot of small aspects where sometimes it doesn't match completely."

On the subject of the future, Kojima explained that Metal Gear Solid Rising is a good fit for younger KojiPro staff, while Peace Walker requires the Kojima Touch®. "The younger staff couldn't really understand [Peace Walker's] background, and since I made the concept and overall storyline, I thought that I would go more deeply in, because for me it was more understandable a setting." Rising, however, is a new story set in the future, without so much influence from Kojima's existing storyline.