Why is Metal Gear Solid's Snake called Solid Snake? Kojima explains

Just why is Solid Snake called Solid Snake? Contrary to popular belief, series creator Hideo Kojima has said that the name didn't actually come about from Escape from New York star Snake Plissken.

Kojima wrote on Twitter to explain the code name Snake in the original Metal Gear. "The reason I used Snake as code name in MG was Snake was the most appropriate symbol of living thing that hides his presence and sneaks without any noise."

"The reason I didn't make any specific snake like cobra, anaconda, viper was because the protagonist is the player," Kojima explained. And what about Solid? "The reason I use Solid was to give opposite impression of soft image," he said.

Moving on to the other Snake characters in the series, Kojima first explained the thinking behind Solid Snake's cloned brother Liquid Snake in 1998's iconic Metal Gear Solid, created from the DNA of Big Boss--known in prequel title Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater as Naked Snake.

"Like of all endings of any series are, the appearance of strongest enemy was a must in MGS. It's Snake who can surpass the Snake. Thus I brought about 'clone'. Solid vs Liquid. That is MGS."

Kojima also went on to explain the naming behind Solidus Snake in 2001's Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.

"As to develop sequel, the 3rd snake was needed," he said. "Since both Solid & Liquid express state, means same true state. Naturally the next would be gas, but gas snake is like gas human, not handsome name."

"So I borrowed from physics terms of "solidus/liquidus". Solidus is not state but implies the boundary of liquid and solid."

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes will be released on March 18. If you want to know more about Big Boss' backstory, you can check out GameSpot's primer. You can also read Peter Brown explaining some of the rumours behind the title, and the reality of the finished game.