Metal Gear Solid is quite clearly a rip off of Escape from New York. It features an eye patch wearing super-soldier character who often goes off the reservation AND he's called Snake. As in Snake Plisskin.
There are certainly enough similarities that if you had heard that the people behind the original Escape movies had sued Hideo Kojima and Konami for its creation, you wouldn't be entirely surprised. However what may surprise you is that the reason no such legal action took place, is because John Carpenter, the creator of the two Kurt Russel vehicles refused to allow it.
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the long-time director and musician said that the company that owned Escape from New York was adamant in wanting to sue the Japanese game developer, but he didn't allow it as it simply wasn't "nice."
"CanalPlus wanted to go after the video game Metal Gear Solid, which is kind of a rip-off of Escape From New York, too," he said.
"But I told them not to do that. I know the director of those games, and he’s a nice guy, or at least he’s nice to me."
When Carpenter was asked in several round about questions how he was doing financially, he pointed out that most of his movies haven't made him bucket loads of cash. But that's ok, he has all he needs.
"No, I’ve made some money on [them]. Hell, yeah. I’m doing fine. I’m living a great life and get to watch NBA basketball and get to play video games, so there’s nothing I can complain about."
Right on John.
