In the early stages of development Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Freedom, Hideo Kojima And producer Riga Muranaka liked Hans Zimmer To compose the soundtrack of the game, but the maestro cost a little more and was not satisfied with the amount proposed to him.
Muranaka said this in an interview with the game developer, in which he spoke about his work on the soundtrack of Metal Gear Solid 2: “We went to Hans Zimmer’s studio, Media Ventures (now Remote Control Productions). At first we wanted Zimmer, but he said he would not do it for the proposed amount. It’s so expensive, it’s ridiculous.“
As Zimmer left, Kojima asked Muranaka to contact the English composer Harry Grexon-WilliamsWho worked with Zipper. He was a budding musician, but he had already made a name for himself through the state’s enemy film.
Grexon-Williams willingly agreed that he would collaborate again with Kojima in other metal gear and that his career as a video game composer would be extended to other series such as Call of Duty. In his words, before Metal Gear Solid 2, he never thought to work in the world of video games. At first, he did not know what to do. Kojima emailed him 30 seconds into a “tricky” section, and Grexon-Williams had to get an explanation of the word because he did not understand what it meant. After all, he began his career as a composer of film soundtracks, where he usually had to record soundtracks before a part of the film.
In the end The Soundtrack Metal Gear Solid 2 is a joint venture between Grexon-Williams, Muranaka and an internal group (especially Norihiko Hipino) in Konami. Who knows what it would have been like if Zimmer had agreed to compose music.
Edward Langley is a contributor to Nintendo-power.com, covering a wide range of topics including news, business, technology, entertainment, lifestyle and current affairs. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced and accessible reporting that helps readers stay informed about important developments and emerging trends. With an emphasis on accuracy, relevance and useful insights, Edward aims to provide engaging stories and practical information that matter to audiences in the UK and beyond.