A series of unlikely connections, tracing from a deeply unsettling childhood experience of author Stephen King to a peculiar in-game ability in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, highlights the often-surprising ways culture and history influence video games. This peculiar causality chain begins with a traumatic event King witnessed as a young boy.
In 1951, a then four-year-old Stephen King was reportedly profoundly shaken after a playmate was struck and killed by a freight train. While King himself stated in his 1981 book Danse Macabre that the incident did not influence his writing career, he did recount it in his 1982 collection of novellas, Different Seasons. Within this collection, the novella The Body features a narrative where protagonists discover the corpse of a neighborhood boy who was hit by a train.
This story was adapted into the critically acclaimed 1986 film Stand by Me, which not only became a coming-of-age classic but also helped launch the career of a young Kiefer Sutherland, who played the antagonist Ace Merrill. The film's popularity extended to Japan, where it became a beloved classic, referenced in games like Mother (known as EarthBound Beginnings in the US) and the original Pokémon titles. Stand by Me was even released with VHS editions designed to aid English language learners, demonstrating its significant cultural impact in Japan.
Years later, Sutherland achieved international stardom as Jack Bauer in the hit television series 24, which premiered in 2001. The show became a cultural phenomenon, particularly in Japan, where it was highly sought after in video rental stores. Sutherland's association with 24 led him to appear in commercials for Japanese energy products like CalorieMate, cementing his recognition in the country.
In 2013, game designer Hideo Kojima announced that Kiefer Sutherland would be replacing David Hayter as the voice and motion capture actor for Snake in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Kojima cited a desire for a more subdued performance to match the game's darker tone, and his Hollywood producer friend Avi Arad suggested Sutherland. Kojima has previously acknowledged 24 as an influence on the presentational style of Metal Gear Solid 3, which was released during the show's peak popularity.
Released in 2015, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain featured various gameplay systems, including the ability to develop stronger bonds with companion characters. One such bond, with the horse D-Horse, could unlock a unique combat ability. Upon reaching a 50% bond rating, players could order D-Horse to "do it," causing the animal to defecate on command. This simulated excrement could then be used strategically to cause enemy vehicles to lose control if they drove over it, incapacitating their occupants. This distinctive gameplay mechanic, featuring Sutherland's voice, stands as a peculiar final link in a long and convoluted chain originating from Stephen King's early encounter with tragedy.