A time paradox or temporal paradox is a theoretical conflict between past and future events that occurs when mutually-exclusive changes are made in the timeline. Since the games in the Metal Gear series do not take place in chronological order, the player can create a paradox in the Metal Gear timeline by causing the death of a significant character. The Time Paradox screen, featured in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, either follows or takes the place of the traditional Game Over screen, respectively.