At the 2008 E3 gaming expo in Los Angeles, Square Enix boss Yoichi Wada appeared on stage and tapped Microsoft exec Don Mattrick on the shoulder. At the 2009 E3, Hideo Kojima did the same. But why?
Messaging via Twitter, Wada asked Kojima if the now infamous E3 shoulder tap was something he was put up to. Kojima replied that it was decided to do something similar to what Wada did the previous year — a "sneaking-style" shoulder tap. To which Wada replied with a MGS style "!" and some lulz.
Kojima then asked if Wada had been asked to do the shoulder tap. "Yes, during rehearsal," the exec said. Wada was told that it would feel more natural if it was choreographed in. According to Wada, "It's unnatural!!"
It was the same for Kojima, who replied, "Ditto for me, during rehearsal." Sounds like Microsoft made a similar suggestion!
Previously, Wada talked about the stage directions he got from Microsoft staff. The takeaway? If you want to look like a goober, be sure to appear on stage at Microsoft's E3 press conference. It's guaranteed!