'Quiet's Outfit Was Not Practical at All' Metal Gear Solid 5 Actress Comments on Controversial Character

Game ZXC

Metal Gear Solid V

By John Paul Joaquin

Published Nov 1, 2023

Highlights

The actress who played Quiet in Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain found her character's revealing outfit impractical, echoing concerns about over-sexualization of women in video games.
Hideo Kojima expanded Metal Gear Solid 5's world through new characters and ideas, including Quiet, a seemingly mute sniper assassin.
Stephanie Joosten, the actress who played Quiet, acknowledges the criticism of her character's portrayal and encourages more diverse representation in video games for women and all minorities.

The actress who played Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain's Quiet stated she found her character's outfit impractical even when players considered the game's explanation. Quiet's outfit in Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain became a topic of debate about the over-sexualization of women in video games due to its revealing nature being out of place for a sniper assassin.

Despite being on the brink of falling out with Konami, Hideo Kojima still managed to expand the world of Metal Gear through the new characters and ideas he weaved into Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain's story. One of them is Quiet, a seemingly mute sniper assassin who turned from Venom Snake's prisoner to partner (and even love interest). While her presence on the fields of Afghanistan and Africa, in and out of missions, provides players with helpful intel and fire support, many took notice of her attire, which doesn't look practical for someone in her role. Gamers who played the game may remember that Quiet's outfit reveals as much of her skin as decently possible, allowing her to breathe from her skin more efficiently after a certain incident in Cyprus.

Stephanie Joosten, the actress who played Quiet, recently admitted to thinking the same about her character's outfit. According to Joosten's interview with IGN, she confesses that she found the scantily clad sniper assassin's outfit "very revealing" and that it wasn't practical at all. She also stated that the game's explanation behind Quiet's attire didn't provide an argument strong enough to justify her wearing such a revealing outfit.

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However, Joosten states she does understand, accept, and respect the fact that Quiet and the explanation behind her revealing attire throughout the game was only a part of Metal Gear Solid's "fantasy world." She also acknowledges the fact that there are people who are not happy with how Quiet was portrayed in-game and that Quiet was a product of a time gone by. "This game came out in 2015, and I think the video game landscape has changed quite a lot since then. People are looking for more representation, and I really get it," Joosten said. Lastly, she said that "diverse representation" in video games for women and all minorities is something she'd encourage.

Kojima's addition of Quiet to Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain and the Metal Gear Solid universe in general is certainly controversial to critics and some groups, which pointed to her objectification. Kojima defended her addition to the series, saying she is an antithesis to excessively exposed characters from fighting games. He also said that the reason behind her outfit would shame those who criticized her attire on the battlefield. However, his endorsement of the character's seemingly realistic figurine didn't help his case much. Regardless, Quiet is more than just her outfit – her choices throughout the game, for good or ill, may leave a lasting impact that could change how players look at her.