If Snake is gone in MGS3, I'm gonna be one pissed chick.
It was pretty bad enough we didn't get to play him in MGS2, but if they completely make him disappear....you know....that's not even possible. Snake will play an important role in the next installment, because he should be the one to answer all our questions. (Hopefully Meryl will be back too!) But, if they make an MGS4....then I guess it's more reasonable if Snake doesn't return.