While 4 sees us bidding farewell to long-time series star Solid Snake, new Metal Gear titles will be released in the future - with new heroes stepping into the limelight.

Speaking to 1UP.com this week, assistant producer Ryan Payton has confirmed that this isn't the end of the series: "There are some misunderstandings that this is the final Metal Gear game. But it's really the final chapter of the Solid Snake story. That's all."

"I'm happy we could wrap up Snake's story in MGS4." So what might future MGS games be about? Well, there's "still a lot of room for filling in the gaps as far as Big Boss is concerned," Payton continued.

The producer also says that new maps, skills and rules will be added to Metal Gear Online in the future.

Which is nice.

By Luke Guttridge