Actually I've heard is Hideo's Snake was based off the Escape movies Snake as well. Given the uncanny resemblance I don't see how it could be any other way. They are both gruff voiced, ex-military, and one eyed (at least inferred one eyed) characters named Snake. I'm glad Hideo omitted the tattoo though ewww.
Yes I too am a fan of Metal Gear although not a huge one. Quite frankly I think Metal Gear Solid (the PS one) was the best of the series and worthy of the title classic game. Innovative gameplay, a good non-convoluted plot with some nice twists and interesting characters. Of course they threw that out the window with MGS 2. Enter convoluted plot, unlikable characters and add some weird immoral relationships (homosexuality etc.). The only reasoning I can think of with the whole Raiden thing was Hideo was trying to pull a New Coke
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Coke . I don't care if you slapped a "cool ninja" thing on him for MGS 4 I still don't like him (and his whiney Girlfriend even less).
Rose: Raiden are you there?
Raiden: I'm a little busy right now fighting for my life.
Rose: Lets talk about your childhood.
Raiden: Rose now isn't a good time (Guard in background "hey I heard something over here!")
Rose: You don't care about me you never talk about your feelings.
Raiden: "Gunfire sounds"
Rose: Aggh Men are all pigs.
Raiden: ....static
MGS 3 was more like a James Bond film (complete with inferred sex blech) than a MGS game and overall I did not agree with it's plotline's moral point. Although overall it was better than MGS 2 (it had a very good end boss fight).
...And now it's time for the Gerbil's MGS predictions!
1. Rose's baby will show up at some point as a plot point. Because knowing Hideo I don't think the fact her name is "Rosemary" and she's having a "baby" will go overlooked.
2. Snake suffers from some form of aging defect. Remember that although he and his other brother liquid were twins they appeared to be different ages. I think it would have had to have been triplets including Solidus to make sense and he appeared even older. The upshot of all this is Snake will get de-aged at some point.
3. Ocelot will do something heroic before he dies. Probably striking at an enemy both he and Snake have in common. He had a respect for Big Boss that has not shown itself yet and was the coolest guy in MGS 3 (you know it's true

).
4. Snake and Raiden will have a fight.
5. Big Boss will get resurrected in some form. Yes I know his body was supposedly stolen by Snake and company and removed from the picture, but, I'm sure they will script a way at some point.