#REDIRECT[[Naked Snake]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE: Big Boss (''Metal Gear'')}}
{{hatlink|For the player character in [[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]], see [[Venom Snake]].}}
{{Infobox VG character
|name=Big Boss
|image=[[Image:Big Boss (Metal Gear).png|150px]]
|caption=Promotional illustration of Big Boss for ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]''
|firstgame=''[[Metal Gear (video game)|Metal Gear]]'' (1987)
|series=''[[Metal Gear]]''
|creator=[[Hideo Kojima]]
|artist=[[Yoji Shinkawa]]
|voiceactor=[[David Hayter]] (''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'', ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker]]'')<br />[[Richard Doyle (actor)|Richard Doyle]] (''[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]]'')<br/>[[Kiefer Sutherland]] (''[[Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]]'')
|japanactor=[[Akio Ōtsuka]] (''Metal Gear Solid 3'', ''Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops'', ''Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker'' and ''Metal Gear Solid V'')<br />[[Chikao Ōtsuka]] (''Metal Gear Solid 4'')
|motionactor=[[Mizuho Yoshida (actor)|Mizuho Yoshida]] (''Metal Gear Solid 3'')<br />[[Akio Ōtsuka]] (''Metal Gear Solid 4'')<br />Mio Tanaka (''Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker'')<br />Erik Brown (''Metal Gear Solid V'')<br />Rudy McCollum (''Metal Gear Solid V'' [Prologue: Awakening])<br />[[Kiefer Sutherland]] (''Metal Gear Solid V'' [facial only])
|inuniverse={{Metal Gear character
|realname= John / Jack<ref>{{cite video game | title =Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater | developer =Konami Computer Entertainment Japan | publisher =Konami | date =17 November 2004 | platform =PlayStation 2 | version = | scene = | level = | language =English | quote ='''Ocelot''': ...My name... is Adamska. And you? / '''Naked Snake''': John. }}</ref><ref>{{cite video game | title =Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain | developer =Kojima Productions | publisher =Konami | date =1 September 2015 | platform =PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC | version = | scene =Cassette Tape: "Les Enfants Terribles" | level = | language =English | quote = }}</ref>
|aliases= Naked Snake<br /> Vic Boss <br /> Ishmael <br /> "The Man Who Sold The World"
|nationality=American
|affiliations= [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Outer Heaven|Outer Heaven / Zanzibar Land]] (''[[Metal Gear (video game)|Metal Gear]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake]]'') <br> [[Special Forces (United States Army)|Green Berets]] (pre-''Metal Gear Solid 3'') <br> [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#FOX|FOX]] and [[CIA]] (''Metal Gear Solid 3'') <br> [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#FOXHOUND|FOXHOUND]] (''Portable Ops'') <br> [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Cipher|Cipher]] (post-''Portable Ops'' / pre-''Peace Walker'') <br> [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Militaires Sans Frontieres|MSF]] (''Peace Walker'' and ''Ground Zeroes'')
}} }}
'''Big Boss''' is one of the central characters in the ''[[Metal Gear]]'' video game series. He was introduced in the original ''Metal Gear'' games for the [[MSX#MSX2|MSX2]] as the commanding officer and subsequent nemesis of [[Solid Snake]]. He is later featured as '''Naked Snake''', the [[protagonist]] of ''Metal Gear Solid'' prequels where he is initially depicted as an American Special Forces Operator and decorated war hero until political manipulations cause him to be disillusioned, and he started his own [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Outer Heaven|private mercenary company]]. Big Boss's character has been praised by video game publications for his role as a villain as well for his relationship with Solid Snake. As the series' chronology progressed, his exact allegiance and motivations became increasingly complex; his first appearances are depicted as a traitor dreaming of a world of perpetual war, but subsequent appearances have revealed him to be a key figure in an ideological dispute that shaped the latter half of the twentieth century and a man whose conscience was disturbed by the attitude of leaders towards soldiers, prompting his decision to become a [[wikt:soldier of fortune|soldier of fortune]] and [[Venom Snake]]'s mental template.
In the series' Japanese versions, Naked Snake is voiced by [[Akio Ōtsuka]] (Solid Snake's voice actor) while Big Boss is voiced by [[Chikao Ōtsuka]] (Akio Ōtsuka's real-life father) in ''[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]]''. In the English versions, Naked Snake is voiced by [[David Hayter]] (Solid Snake's voice actor) while Big Boss is voiced by [[Richard Doyle (actor)|Richard Doyle]] (in ''[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]]'') and by [[Kiefer Sutherland]] (Venom Snake's voice actor).
==Appearances==
{{stack|{{Metal Gear chronology}}}}
===''Metal Gear'' games===
{{nihongo|Big Boss|ビッグ・ボス|Biggu Bosu}} is introduced in the original ''[[Metal Gear (video game)|Metal Gear]]'' game as the Special Forces Unit [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#FOXHOUND|FOXHOUND]]'s leader and [[Solid Snake]]'s commanding officer. He initially acts as a radio contact who provides Snake with information about mission objectives, as well as weapons and equipment.<ref name="mg1manual">{{cite web|url=http://www.msxnet.org/gtinter/mg1remi/mg1reme.htm|title = ''Metal Gear'' MSX2 version, instruction manual|accessdate=|author=|last=|first=|authorlink=|date=|year=1987|publisher=Konami|pages=|language=Japanese}}</ref><ref name="mg2manual">{{cite web|url=http://www.msxnet.org/gtinter/Setting.htm|title=''Metal Gear 2'' MSX2 version, instruction manual|accessdate=|author=|last=|first=|authorlink=|date=|year = 1990|publisher=Konami|pages=|language=Japanese}}</ref> But after Snake destroys the titular [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Metal Gear|TX-55 Metal Gear]] weapon despite Big Boss's discouragement, Outer Heaven's [[Venom Snake|militia leader]] confronts Snake near the base's escape route in a final battle only to be defeated.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Metal Gear|year=2005|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Big Boss''': Solid Snake! You've finally come here. Yeah, I'm Big Boss General Commandant of Foxhound. And in charge of this fortress, Outer Heaven.}}</ref>
''[[Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake]]'' reveals that Big Boss has since taken control of a fortified nation in [[Central Asia]] known as Zanzibar Land and commissions the development of [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Metal Gear|Metal Gear D]].<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake|year=2005|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Solid Snake''': Big... Boss?! / '''Dr. Madnar''': The very same! With Metal Gear and OILEX, he plots to rule the world. We cannot let the secret of OILEX fall into his hands!}}</ref> Solid Snake confronts Big Boss once again while escaping from Zanzibar Land's detention camp, with Snake incinerating Big Boss.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake|year=2005|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Big Boss''': Even I make mistakes from time to time. Snake! This will be our final battle... Let's end this once and for all!}}</ref>
===''Metal Gear Solid'' appearances===
Big Boss's presence figures prominently in the original ''Metal Gear Solid'' games where his DNA created the genetically-altered clones from the secret "Les Enfants Terribles" government project (French for "The Terrible Children"): Solid Snake, [[Liquid Snake]],<ref name="clones">{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid|year=1998|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Liquid Snake''': There's a killer inside you... You don't have to deny it. We were created to be that way. / '''Solid Snake''': Created? / '''Liquid Snake''': Les enfants terribles... the terrible children. That's what the project was called. It started in the 1970s. Their plan was to artificially create the most powerful soldier possible. The person that they chose as the model was the man known then as the greatest living soldier in the world...}}</ref> and [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Solidus Snake|Solidus Snake]].<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty|year=2001|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Solidus Snake''': ...I'm the boss to surpass Big Boss himself...}}</ref>
The [[prequel]] ''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'' depicts a young incarnation of the character, under the codename {{nihongo|Naked Snake|ネイキッド・スネーク|Neikiddo Sunēku}},<ref name="mgspw_naked_uniform">{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker|year=2010|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Miller''': Naked... That's exactly what you are with this uniform. The pants are the same as the jungle fatigues. Obviously, since you're exposing your bare skin, your defense and camo index are going to be low. On the plus side, it's so light you can move around quicker. / '''Naked Snake''': Good for showing off muscles, too. / '''Miller''': Hey, Snake. I heard they gave you your old code name because you used to run around with your shirt off. Is that true? / '''Naked Snake''': Don't believe everything you hear. They called me "Naked" because I went in without gear or food. I had to procure everything on site.}}</ref> as a member of the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] special forces unit [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#FOX|FOX]] in 1964 that was founded by [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Zero|Zero]].<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater|year=2005|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Zero''': Do you copy? You're already in enemy territory, and somebody might be listening in. From here on out, we'll be using codenames to refer to each other. Your codename for this mission will be Naked Snake. I'll be referring to you as Snake from now on. You are not to mention your real name.}}</ref> With [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Para-Medic|Para-Medic]] and [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Sigint|Sigint]] for additional support, he is sent on an assignment in the Soviet Union to thwart an uprising led by the sadistic [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Volgin|Volgin]]; rescue key weapons researcher [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Sokolov|Nikolai Stepanovich Sokolov]], and destroy the [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Shagohod|Shagohod]] prototype to avert a nuclear war. Over the course of his assignment, he encounters a young iteration of [[Revolver Ocelot|Ocelot]] multiple times, fights and defeats the [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Cobra Unit|Cobra Unit]] (consisting of [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#The Pain|The Pain]], [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#The Fear|The Fear]], [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#The End|The End]], [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#The Fury|The Fury]] and [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#The Sorrow|The Sorrow]]) and is forced to kill [[The Boss (Metal Gear)|The Boss]] in order to supposedly clear his own name.<ref>'''EVA''': The Boss's defection was a ruse set up by the U.S. government. It was all a big drama staged by Washington so they could get their hands on the Philosopher's Legacy. And The Boss was the star of the show. They planned it so that they could get the Legacy that Colonel Volgin inherited...and destroy the Shagohod at the same time. (''Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater'') Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref><ref>'''EVA''': (...) Everything was going according to plan, but then something happened that no one could have predicted. Colonel Volgin fired an American-made nuclear warhead at Sokolov's research facility. Khrushchev demanded that the U.S. government provide proof that it wasn't involved. (...) The authorities in Washington knew that in order to prove its innocence they'd have to get rid of The Boss...and that one of their own would have to do the job. (...) That was the mission she was given. (...) She sacrificed her life and her honor for her native land. (''Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater'') Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> According to [[EVA (Metal Gear)|EVA]]'s debrief, the political motives behind the operation do not sit well with Snake, especially after he is awarded the title of Big Boss for his actions;<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater|year=2005|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Mr. President''': You are above even The Boss. I hereby award you the title of Big Boss.}}</ref> he initially rejects the title, prompting him to retire from active service.
''[[Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops]]'' shows Big Boss still under his former codename Naked Snake, believing that he has yet to surpass The Boss as a warrior. Having spent six years wandering the globe, Snake finds himself involved in an armed uprising caused by [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Gene|Gene]]'s rogue FOX unit in the (fictional) San Hieronymo peninsula in Colombia and learns that he has been convicted for instigating the revolt. Hoping to clear his name, Snake forms [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#FOXHOUND|his own team of specialists]] by recruiting both old allies and defecting enemy soldiers to his cause, one of whom happens to be [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Roy Campbell|Roy Campbell]]. He faces not only the members of the FOX unit, but also Metal Gear's [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Intercontinental Ballistic Metal Gear|first prototype]]. After he learned that The Boss's death had been planned all along, Big Boss defeats Gene and obtains the funds for [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Outer Heaven|Army's Heaven]].<ref>''Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops'', Kojima Productions (2006)<br />'''Gene''': So... You never knew. Six years ago, during Operation Snake Eater, Volgin launched an American nuclear missile at Sokolov's research lab. This caused a change in plans, and the U.S. government had to assassinate its own operative, The Boss, to prove its innocence. And you were the assassin, Snake. / ''(Naked Snake is speechless)'' / '''Gene''': Do you really think Volgin committed that terrible crime of his own will? / '''Naked Snake''': What? / '''Gene''': It was all a setup from the very beginning. Volgin launching the nuke... The Boss' death... Even your mission in Groznyj Grad, Snake! It was all the work of your country and a single, deviously cunning strategist. / '''Naked Snake''': You're saying it was all a setup? By who!? / '''Gene''': The Boss gave up her life, even if someone else willed it. She sacrificed her own life for her calling. It was a noble act. / '''Naked Snake''': Answer me! Who set it up?!</ref>
''[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]]'' revealed that Big Boss was one of the founding members of Zero's cause to initially realize The Boss's dream, but this spiraled into a conspiracy to impose order and control over the world after Big Boss disagreed with Zero's nature of the dream. Big Boss despised his role as figurehead, especially since Zero's vision placed no value on loyalty to ideals and people, something The Boss treasured above all else. When Big Boss learns that his own DNA was being used for Zero's "Les Enfants Terribles" project, this proved to be the final straw. After his defection from Zero's cause, Big Boss plotted coup d'état with Outer Heaven (''Metal Gear'') and Zanzibar Land (''Metal Gear 2'').<ref name="lesenfants">{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots|year=2008|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Big Mama''': "Give birth to Big Boss." To realize this, I asked to serve as the surrogate mother... And was more than happy to carry you in my womb. I loved him. Nine months later, I gave birth to two Big Bosses... [[Solid Snake|You]], and [Liquid Snake]. [...] Determined to oppose Zero and his plans, Big Boss broke away from the Patriots.}}</ref> Although he had survived these defeats, he was placed in an artificially induced coma with his genetic code used for an ID recognition system, the use of which allows access to the [[Artificial intelligence|AIs]] that make up [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#The Patriots|the Patriots]]. His body is recovered and reconstructed using parts from the bodies of both Liquid and Solidus and he awakens from his coma after the fall of the Patriots' AIs. Following the voice casting credits, Big Boss appears before Old Snake. After he reveals to Snake the truth about himself and Zero, Big Boss shuts down his catatonic nemesis's [[life support]] system. He manages to come to terms with his feelings regarding The Boss,<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]] |developer=[[Kojima Productions]] |publisher=[[Konami]] |date=<!--INCOMPLETE-->2008 |platform=[[PlayStation 3]] |version= |scene= |level= |language= |quote='''Big Boss''': Ever since the day [[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater|I killed The Boss... with my own two hands...]] I... was already dead.}}</ref> and then reconciles with his son before dying from unintended exposure to the new FOXDIE virus.
Big Boss's past as Naked Snake again serves as the scenario in ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker]]'' after he and his business partner [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Master Miller|Kazuhira "Kaz" Miller]] established the mercenary force [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Militaires Sans Frontieres|Militaires Sans Frontières]] (French for "Soldiers Without Borders") made up of expatriate soldiers recruited to his cause. He intends to use MSF to live out The Boss's final will, a world where soldiers are free to choose their own fights on their own terms, and not at the whim of a government. On Colombia's Barranquilla coast, two representatives of the Costa Rican government, [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Paz|Paz Ortega Andrade]] and [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Zadornov|Ramon Gálvez Mena]], seek to hire MSF to liberate Costa Rica from [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Coldman|Coldman]]'s CIA Peace Sentinel unit that has established bases in the country. Snake accepts the mission after Gálvez hands him an audio cassette with a recording of The Boss's voice. Following Kaz's advice, the MSF takes over an offshore research platform in the Caribbean as their base of operations in a bid to expand the group's capabilities. Over the course of the story, Snake comes to learn about the true purpose of Coldman's [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Peace Walker|Peace Walker]] prototypes (Pupa, Chrysalis, Cocoon, and Peace Walker) and gradually lets go of his guilt for The Boss' death after encountering an AI replica, finally accepting his Big Boss title.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker|year=2010|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Naked Snake''': I won't make the same choice as her. My future's going to be different. / '''Miller''': Then... / '''Naked Snake''': Yeah, that's right. From now on, call me Big Boss.}}</ref> Later in the game, Big Boss has [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Huey|Huey Emmerich]] create [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Metal Gear ZEKE|Metal Gear ZEKE]] as a weapon to defend his interests, with no desire to use offensively. After Big Boss killed Gálvez out of self-defense, Paz pilots ZEKE to launch a nuclear strike on the Eastern Coast of the United States as part of an insurance policy if Big Boss refused to obey [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Cipher|Cipher]]. After hearing the ultimatum, Big Boss refuses and fights ZEKE in order to stop Paz. He is victorious, but ZEKE was heavily damaged with Paz being ejected into the Caribbean Sea. After ZEKE's destruction, Kaz tells Big Boss and Kaz realize they'll no longer be able to be away from the outside world unless they reveal their true nature as well as realize that Kaz was in on Cipher's plot. Big Boss rejects this idea, stating that his "life shall be different from The Boss's". After this conversation, Big Boss gives a speech to the MSF soldiers, telling them that if the times demand it, they will be vigilantes, criminals and terrorists, but they will be the ones to choose their battles and their causes, not governments.
Big Boss plays a central role in ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]]''. He is on a mission to rescue a [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Chico|child soldier]] and Paz Ortega Andrade from an American [[black site]] on Cuban soil; Big Boss believes that Paz can be converted to MSF's cause. While the rescue is successful and the medic found a bomb implanted inside Paz, Paz's sacrifice to save Big Boss and the others from another bomb causes an explosive concussion wave which causes the helicopter to crash into the Caribbean Sea as MSF is destroyed by an invading [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#XOF|paramilitary force]] led by [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Skull Face|Skull Face]]. Big Boss comes out of his coma and poses as "Ishmael", a patient in the hospital where [[Venom Snake]] is also being treated, and aids in an escape when the hospital is attacked by Skull Face's forces. While Snake ventures into Soviet-controlled Afghanistan to seek revenge using a new [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Diamond Dogs|mercenary group]] made from Big Boss's remaining forces, Big Boss stays behind the scenes to develop the true Outer Heaven.<ref name="ign">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/10/e3-2013-metal-gear-solid-v-coming-to-xbox-one|title=E3 2013: Metal Gear Solid V Coming To Xbox One - IGN|publisher=ign.com|accessdate=July 11, 2014}}</ref>
===Other appearances===
In ''[[Snake's Revenge]]'', a non-canonical sequel to the original ''Metal Gear'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] released during the same year as ''Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake'', Big Boss returns as the leader of the enemy organization, having survived the injuries he sustained in the original game by becoming a cyborg. He fights Solid Snake as a boss prior to reaching the new Metal Gear prototype and has two forms: his human form and a fire-breathing cyborg form.
==Creation and design==
In his initial appearances, Big Boss's visual appearance was inspired by actor [[Sean Connery]]. But for the ports of the game re-released version, the original design was replaced by [[Yoji Shinkawa]]'s design.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/metal-gear-retrospective?pager.offset=2&cId=|publisher=1UP.com|accessdate=February 18, 2012|author=Parish, Jeremy|title=Gear Up! A Metal Gear Retrospective}}</ref> During the making of ''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'', [[Hideo Kojima]] asked Shinkawa to make Naked Snake similar to Solid Snake. But with the differences that unlike Solid Snake, Naked Snake was a rookie and thus acted more naive. Shinkawa stated having no difficulties in designing Naked Snake as basically a revised version of Solid Snake. As a result, Naked Snake is virtually identical to Solid Snake from the previous ''Metal Gear Solid'' games in terms of appearance.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://mp.i-revo.jp/user.php/kp-ryan/entry/52.html|title=The KP Report Session 027|publisher=mp.i.revo|work=Kojima Productions Report|author=Payton, Ryan|accessdate=February 17, 2012}}</ref> Since the game's trailers did not state that Naked Snake was Big Boss, Kojima often gave vague answers to the character's true identity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/402/402879p1.html|publisher=IGN|date=May 15, 2003|accessdate=March 26, 2012|author=C. Perry, Douglass|title=E3 2003: Hideo Kojima Interview}}</ref> Although the ending of ''Metal Gear Solid 3'' reveals Naked Snake was given the Big Boss title, Kojima stated "he's not really the Big Boss yet". With ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker]]'', he wanted to explain how Naked Snake became the man who appeared in the original ''Metal Gear'' games as Solid Snake's enemy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.kotaku.com/5367724/hideo-kojima-talks-metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-and-how-you-can-help-him|publisher=Kotaku|date=September 25, 2009|accessdate=March 26, 2012|author=Totilo, Stephen|title=Hideo Kojima Talks Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker And How You Can Help Him}}</ref>
On June 6, 2013, during the third annual Konami Pre-[[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] show, Konami officially confirmed that Sutherland would also be doing [[motion capture]] work for ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|title=Metal Gear Solid V clip teases Snake’s new voice actor|url=http://gematsu.com/2013/05/metal-gear-solid-v-clip-teases-snakes-new-voice-actor|publisher=Gematsu|accessdate=June 3, 2013}}</ref><ref name="vg247">{{cite web|last=Staff|title=Konami’s pre-E3 stream: Kiefer Sutherland Playing Snake in Metal Gear Solid 5|url=http://www.vg247.com/2013/06/06/metal-gear-solid-5-castlevania-los-2-pes-2014-to-feature-in-konamis-pre-e3-stream-tonight/|publisher=VG24/7|accessdate=June 6, 2013}}</ref> Sutherland was assigned the role after a suggestion to Kojima from Hollywood producer and director [[Avi Arad]]; Kojima's reason for replacing Hayter was to "have a more subdued performance expressed through subtle facial movements and tone of voice rather than words", and that he "needed someone who could genuinely convey both the facial and vocal qualities of a man in his late 40s".<ref>{{cite web|last=Goldfarb|first=Andrew|title=Kiefer Sutherland Playing Snake in Metal Gear Solid V|url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/06/06/kiefer-sutherland-playing-snake-in-metal-gear-solid-v|publisher=IGN|accessdate=June 7, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/podcasts/kojima-on-ground-zeroes/1600-673/|title=Kojima on Ground Zeroes|publisher=Giant Bomb|accessdate=November 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/467996/interviews/interview-hideo-kojima-on-darker-themes-and-phantom-cigars/|title=Interview: Hideo Kojima on darker themes and phantom cigars|publisher=Computer and Video Games|accessdate=June 25, 2014}}</ref>
==Reception==
Big Boss's character has been well-received with [[IGN]] having ranked him number 32 on their 2010 list of top video game villains,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/videogame-villains/32.html |title=Top 100 Videogame Villains |publisher=ign.com |author=IGN editors |date=July 4, 2010 |accessdate=October 20, 2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309045526/http://www.ign.com/videogame-villains/32.html|archivedate=March 9, 2012}}</ref> and as the fourth top ''Metal Gear'' villains.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/881/881015p7.html|title=Top 10 Metal Gear Villains|publisher=IGN |author=Scheeden, Jeese |accessdate=July 1, 2011}}</ref> In 2010, IGN's Jesse Schedeen found him one of the most important characters from the franchise to the point his "influence is felt in every ''Metal Gear'' game, even if he isn't always present in the flesh."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/106/1060066p1.html|title=Boss of the Day: Metal Gear's Big Boss|publisher=IGN |author=Scheeden, Jeese |date=January 11, 2010|accessdate=July 5, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Computerworld]]'' named Big Boss as one of the most creative "badass villains" in video games, citing the complexity of his betrayal of Solid Snake, fueled by Snake being his genetic heir.<ref>Gagne, Ken. [http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9022399&pageNumber=3 You can run, but you'll only die tired: Gaming's 'baddest' villains]. ''[[Computerworld]]''. Retrieved on September 16, 2008</ref> Additionally, [[GameSpot]] listed him as one of the 20 best ''Metal Gear'' bosses with focus on his importance within the series' plot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6175700/metal-gear-20-years-of-big-bad-boss-battles |title=Metal Gear 20 Years of Boss Battles |date=July 28, 2007 |author=Dodson, Joe |publisher=GameSpot |accessdate=July 5, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He was ranked as the 28th "coolest" video game villain by ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/11/coolest-video-game-villains-of-all-time/metal-gear-solid |title=28. Big Boss — The 50 Coolest Video Game Villains of All Time |publisher=Complex |date=November 1, 2012 |accessdate=July 21, 2013}}</ref>
The inclusion of Naked Snake's role in ''Metal Gear Solid 3'' has also received praise from critics.<ref name="cnet">{{cite web | author=Ramsay, Randolph | year=2005 | title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review | url=http://www.cnet.com.au/games/ps2/0,39029672,40054224,00.htm | work=C<nowiki> </nowiki>NET Australia | accessdate = August 22, 2006| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829063134/http://www.cnet.com.au/games/ps2/0,39029672,40054224,00.htm| archivedate=August 29, 2006 | deadurl=no}}</ref> Prior to the game's release, Naked Snake was often called 'Solid Snake' or simply Snake by critics due to his resemblance with Solid Snake, although some still were not sure about his true identity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://palgn.com.au/playstation-2/1027/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater-preview/|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Preview|date=February 29, 2004|publisher=PALGN|accessdate=July 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/metalgearsolid3/preview_6091542.html|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Updated Impressions|date=March 16, 2004|author=Torres, Ricardo|publisher=GameSpot|accessdate=July 5, 2011}}</ref> Additionally, early speculation of Big Boss being the playable character from ''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'' was listed by IGN as one top ten rumors on the PlayStation 2.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/425/425138p2.html|title=Fact or Fiction? The Ten Biggest Rumors on the PlayStation 2|publisher=IGN |accessdate=July 4, 2011}}</ref> [[GameSpy]] further noted that various fans started making theories about Naked Snake's identity before the game's release as while they thought it was Solid Snake, the setting from the game made it impossible for Solid Snake to be the game's main protagonist due to their difference of years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater/532018p3.html|title=Metal Gear Solid 3 -- Everything We Know|publisher=GameSpy |page=3|accessdate=July 5, 2011}}</ref> Finding the revelation of Naked Snake's identity was considered by GameSpy as "the single coolest thing Kojima could have done in ''MGS3''" because of [Naked Snake's] differences from [Solid Snake] in regards to their personality as well as because it made fans wonder how Naked Snake would become the series antagonist Big Boss.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater/532018p4.html|title=Metal Gear Solid 3 -- Everything We Know|publisher=GameSpy |page=4|accessdate=July 5, 2011}}</ref> Another comparison between Big Boss's and Solid Snake's character was made by IGN's Phil Pirrello in article titled "Stars Thunderdome: Snake vs. Big Boss."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/881/881688p1.html|title=Stars Thunderdome: Snake vs. Big Boss|publisher=IGN |author=Pirrello, Phil |date=January 11, 2010|accessdate=July 5, 2011}}</ref> [[GamesRadar]] placed his relationship with EVA in their top list of disastrous game romances due to how it was ruined by the two's different roles in the story.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Top 7… disastrous game romances|publisher=GamesRadar |author=Meikleham, Dave|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/ps2/f/the-top-7-disastrous-game-romances/a-2011021895331912082/g-2005138888000000020742|accessdate=July 4, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Play (UK magazine)|Play]]'' editor Nick Jones listed Naked Snake's final fight against The Boss in such game as the second best moment from the franchise, citing the emotional focus from their characters.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metal Gear Solid – My Top Five Moments|publisher=Play |author=Jones, Nick|url=http://www.play-mag.co.uk/editors-blog/metal-gear-solid-%e2%80%93-my-top-five-moments/|accessdate=June 30, 2011}}</ref> Various gaming sites such as [[1UP.com]], ''[[Game Informer]]'' and [[Kotaku]] placed him as one of the worst fathers in video games due to his poor relationship with Solid Snake and his attempts to murder his own son.<ref>{{cite web|title=Father Knows Best: The Best and Worst Fathers in Video Games|publisher=Kotaku|url=http://m.kotaku.com/5297186/father-knows-best-the-best-and-worst-fathers-in-video-games|date=June 21, 2009|author=Glasser, AJ|accessdate=August 17, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gaming's Crappiest Fathers|publisher=Game Informer |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/09/09/gamings-crappiest-dads.aspx|date=September 9, 2010 |author=Sharkey, Scott|accessdate=July 18, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Top 5 Crappiest Videogame Dads|publisher=1UP.com|url=http://www.1up.com/features/top-5-crappiest-videogame-dads|date=September 9, 2010 |author=Ryckert, Dan|accessdate=July 18, 2011}}</ref> David Hayter's performance as Naked Snake's English voice actor in ''Metal Gear Solid 3'' has been criticized by ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' while discussing the dialogues from the game.<ref name="edge">{{Cite book | year=2005 | editor=| title=Edge, January 2005; issue 145 | pages=80–81 |publisher=Future Publishing}}</ref>
==References==
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{{Commons category|Big Boss (Metal Gear)}}
{{Metal Gear}}
[[Category:Assassin characters in video games]]
[[Category:Characters created by Hideo Kojima]]
[[Category:Characters designed by Yoji Shinkawa]]
[[Category:Criminal characters in video games]]
[[Category:Cryonically preserved characters in video games]]
[[Category:Fictional American people of European descent in video games]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who became a protagonist in a spin-off]]
[[Category:Fictional CIA agents]]
[[Category:Fictional Green Berets]]
[[Category:Fictional revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Fictional judoka]]
[[Category:Fictional jujutsuka]]
[[Category:Fictional karateka]]
[[Category:Fictional Korean War veterans]]
[[Category:Fictional members of secret societies]]
[[Category:Fictional private military members]]
[[Category:Fictional smokers]]
[[Category:Fictional special forces personnel]]
[[Category:Fictional United States Army personnel]]
[[Category:Fictional Vietnam War veterans]]
[[Category:Konami antagonists]]
[[Category:Konami protagonists]]
[[Category:Male characters in video games]]
[[Category:Martial artists characters in video games]]
[[Category:Mercenary characters in video games]]
[[Category:Metal Gear characters]]
[[Category:Military personnel characters in video games]]
[[Category:Secret agent and spy characters in video games]]
[[Category:Video game bosses]]
[[Category:Video game characters introduced in 1987]]
[[Category:Warlord characters in video games]]
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