How That Amazing Dreams Metal Gear Solid Remake is Trying to Avoid a Copyright Takedown
Fears of DMCA takedowns will result in a different endgame.
This article first appeared on USgamer, a partner publication of VG247. Some content, such as this article, has been migrated to VG247 for posterity after USgamer's closure - but it has not been edited or further vetted by the VG247 team.
Dreams is already shaping up to be a sophisticated platform for some really cool fan creations, just as Media Molecule intended. Over the weekend one Dreams maker even published footage of a Dreams remake of Metal Gear Solid that was so good it got Hideo Kojima's approval.
Bear Parker, the global community manager for TT Games, published their teaser for a Metal Gear Solid HD Remake which they made entirely in Dreams. The teaser shows off a small portion of the basement area of Shadow Moses Island from the 1998 PlayStation classic.
Parker breaks down the process of remaking Metal Gear Solid in Dreams in the remainder of the video, discussing how much they learned between versions 1 and 2 of their remake, and how with the help of the Dreams community and even Media Molecule developers, they were able to make a more accurate and efficient version of Parker's remake.
Not only does it support the same top-down camera angle, but even a recreation of the PlayStation 1's blocky models and textures . Several news outlets, and even Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima himself, have already commented on the accuracy and polish of Parker's remake.
There is some question about what happens to copyrighted material recreated in Dreams. Media Molecule hasn't officially outlined the protocol regarding other but told Gamespot that "it will be up to the license-holders to get in touch via their channels, and we always respect it." Media Molecule studio director Siobhan Reddy added, "If they found [the content in question and want it removed], we go, 'OK.'"
Considering Media Molecule's stance on copyrighted material, and high-profile DMCA takedowns from companies like Nintendo, we reached out to Parker to ask if they were worried about similar action from Konami.
"I've definitely been keeping potential ramifications in mind so there's a few things to ensure I don't upset anyone," Parker tells USG. "Firstly, nothing is going to be published in Dreams for the public to play until I've made some notable edits-the final project (if it's ever finished) likely won't be a direct remake, more a remix. I won't be using any official names either."
Parker praises Dreams as a game creation tool, and more importantly, a learning tool. Parker says his Metal Gear Solid HD Remake is a labor of love and a fan game first. The final project, however, will be "something ultimately original," albeit heavily inspired by the source material.
With video game companies aggressively protecting copyrighted IP, whether it's the form of fan remakes or unofficial translation projects, Parker's actions regarding their Metal Gear Solid HD Remake are ultimately understandable. And while fans might be disappointed there won't be a full Metal Gear Solid HD Remake in Dreams, Parker will hopefully be putting out something reminiscent of it, while also being an original project.
Check out our Dreams guide for additional coverage.