Hideo Kojima has said Metal Gear Solid 4 might not necessarily be the last instalment in the series.

Apparently he's implied it will be the final game to avoid being press-ganged into developing more but it could live on, as a game or as a novel or comic.

"PR-wise, I really don't want to say that this the final game or this is the wrap up, but if I don't say it, people will make me create MGS again," Kojima told IGN.

"So I have to say, 'Die, Snake,' and really end it so I can move on to something else! Actually, it's a game, so even if Snake dies, the game can live on. We have to kill him at a certain point."

There is always the possibility that the series may be expanded onto the PSP as well. Kojima has a son who hates the console versions of Metal Gear Solid, but loved Portable Ops, and the opportunity to target this "very important and new" 13 to 15 year-old market is something Kojima is excited about.

However, he admitted he was getting to the stage where he had been trying to "pass the baton" to the younger members of his team, although being a stickler for perfection in all areas made it difficult to let go of.

Still, when Kojima does finally put Metal Gear Solid to bed, he'd like to try something different.

"Finally, it's the end of Snake, so I'd really want to start something really fresh and new when I create the game for the next one. Maybe the sequel to ZOE or a remake of Snatcher, for instance - if I just participate as a producer, yeah, that could be possible."

What would you like to see Hideo Kojima make next, Eurogamer reader?

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is due for release on 12th June.