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Tired of sneaking alone? Check out the new MGO mode
Metal Gear Online got a server-side update today which added a new free gameplay mode. "Team Sneaking" pits one team, equipped with Stealth, against another team which is defending a target. Stealth'd players can be spotted, like in the single player game, and will then be visible until the caution meter goes down. We only tried it out a couple of times, but "Team Sneaking" games seem to go by quite quickly.A new ruleset has also been added, which can be played in most of the game modes. The name of this ruleset, "Headshots Only," is pretty self explanatory. Any non-headshot kills suffer a points penalty, which makes the game that little bit more interesting. These additions are only the beginning -- no doubt we'll see more added before too long.
Payton: Metal Gear Solid 5 could be a prequel
According to a preview of an interview with 1UP, assistant producer Ryan Payton said in regards to the possibility of Metal Gear Solid 5: "there are some misunderstandings that this is the final Metal Gear game. But it's really the final chapter of the Solid Snake story." He further states that if Snake's story continues past MGS4, "we'll get to the point where the game has absolutely no basis in reality." Payton also hinted at who might be the future star of the next MGS game: there is "still a lot of room for filling in the gaps as far as Big Boss is concerned." 1UP's Philip Kollar interprets all of this as Konami having nowhere to go with the series except for prequels to "continue fleshing out that same epic narrative." Payton also talks about Metal Gear Online; they are "working on a handful of new maps, skills, and rules that we're bug checking at the moment ... It's not going to be too long before people are going to start seeing screenshots of the new stages ... By the time you're tired of the maps that come in the game, it'll probably be around the time we'll be bringing out the new ones." More details will be revealed as the full interview is published on 1UP later today.Update: The full interview has been posted here. In response to rumors in Famitsu about Kojima already thinking about MGS5, Payton confirms that it is true. This also confirms Kojima's involvement, at least to some degree, in the next installment.
Stand-alone MGO planned for Japan
For some people, Metal Gear Online is a nice extra that comes on the same disc as Metal Gear Solid 4. For others – which we refrain from calling crazy – MGO is actually more exciting to them than Kojima's blockbuster single-player game.For those weirdos gamers who fall into the strictly MGO camp, Konami has announced plans to make the online multiplayer game based on MGS available as its own, stand-alone product ... in Japan. The disc will set buyers back $17 and be content-identical to the client that comes on MGS4's biggie-sized 50GB Blu-ray disc. MGO is set to receieve a number of gameplay and content updates in the coming months, including new characters, items, and maps. We've contacted Konami for any word – good or bad – on the stand-alone MGO's prospects of coming Stateside via PSN or other delivery methods. No word back yet, but we wouldn't count a PSN release out.
Japan getting MGO stand-alone Blu-ray; expansion pack coming in late July
It's hard to imagine anyone who wants to play Metal Gear Online who doesn't already have a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4. Despite this, Konami Japan will be releasing a standalone Blu-ray version of the Metal Gear Online "Starter Pack" found on the MGS4 disc. This will go on sale for 1800 yen on July the 17th, over a month after MGS4's original release. The blurb for the game reveals a vague date for the first Metal Gear Online expansion, which could be available in late July. Obviously there's no word on what the expansion will contain, but we're hoping for a couple more levels and/or gameplay modes. To be honest, we'll take anything we can get. MGO is already a great game in its own right and any expansions will be gratefully received.
Joyswag: More Metal Gear Online beta codes
We've got three extra Metal Gear Online beta codes and we'd really like to share them with you. Not you ... you! Follow these five, deceptively simple rules to enter and see if we're talking to you: To enter this giveaway, leave a comment telling us your favorite made-up Metal Gear Solid character (we like Plasma Snake, he's neither Solid nor Liquid ...) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec -- sorry folks, but there's no French Canadian Snake). Limit 1 entry per person (or you'll be banned). This entry period ends at 8:00pm ET on Wednesday, April 30th. We'll randomly select the winners at that time (please check your email!). For a list of complete rules, click here.
Play as Snake! Metal Gear Online updated with new map, game mode
If you spent your entire weekend sneaking through Blood Bath and Gronznyj Grad, Metal Gear Online's first two levels, you may be ready for a change of scenery. Introducing Midtown Maelstrom, a Middle-Eastern town full of narrow alleyways. Maybe you're also looking for something new to do, as long as you've got a new map. Sneaking Mission is the name of the newly added game mode and here's how it works: one lucky player will be chosen to play as Solid Snake himself – replete with OctoCamo, Solid Eye and, if more than ten players join, another player will help snake out as Metal Gear Mk II – while the remainder of the less fortunate players will be divided into Red and Blue teams. In order for Snake to win, he must snag a set number of tags from other players; for either team to win, they must take out Snake within a set time. Not a bad way to celebrate three stable days of the Metal Gear Online beta, eh? [Via PS3 Fanboy]
MGO update brings new map, game mode
So by now you probably know your way around Blood Bath and Gronznyj Grad like the back of your hand and you're starting to want more from your Metal Gear Online experience. The European beta has now been updated with a third map and a new gameplay mode. The new map, Midtown Maelstrom, is a medium size level set on the street of a war-stricken town. Hence the name. As for the new gameplay mode, we expect the Sneaking Mission to be incredibly popular for the sole reason that Snake is a playable character. One player takes on his role, complete with OctoCamo, Solid Eye and other handy items (how does he carry so much stuff while sneaking around?). The aim is to move silently around the map trying to collect dog tags by defeating other players. If more than ten people are playing then another player takes the role of Metal Gear Mk II in order to help out Snake. Meanwhile two teams battle it out as usual.So far we're loving the beta and an entire new map and game mode just three days in makes us go all a-tingle. This content should arrive for America after the maintenance work on the servers which will be occurring later.
Metal Gear Online beta gameplay footage for the uncoded masses
We're guessing that you missed your chance to grab an entry code for the Metal Gear Online beta, or you'd probably be too busy spending your Saturday afternoon brushing up on your CQC to read our humble gaming news site. Well, wipe away those tears of regret, little one, and we'll make you a deal -- check out this radical gameplay footage from the beta (including a very satisfying conclusion involving a dude launcher) to slake your thirst for Kojima's sneaky-creepy multiplayer outing, and we'll take you out for Chuck E. Cheese's. Sure, it won't do much to dull your regret, but you'll be too busy wondering why this restaurant elected to have a rat for a mascot to worry about all the online stealth action you're missing out on.
Metal Gear Online beta now live for all territories
Quick! Boot up your Metal Gear Online beta, download that one final patch (it doesn't take too long, we promise) and report for duty. The highly anticipated demo just went live a little earlier than expected (delay notwithstanding) for all territories. You'll need to create a character (fyi: you won't be able to change your name, face, or 'voice') and pick your initial skill set before firing up a match. After a couple unsuccessful attempts, we got into one but conveniently had no idea what to do so we're going to recommend you spend some time training.Want to play some MGO with your pals at Joystiq? Leave your character name in the comments. To add someone to your MGO-specific friend list select "Personal Data," then "Player Search," enter their name and select "Add to Friend List."
MGO Beta now online for all territories
The Metal Gear Online beta is now fully operational. Another (thankfully, smaller) update has been released which will need to be downloaded first. Once done you will be able to play -- as long as you can connect to the server. Obviously they're being hammered right now, so it make take a few tries to get on. Didn't take us more than three attempts, so persevere. Once in, you can create a character and start your training before heading into a proper online game. Be sure to let us know what you think. Enjoy![Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Metal Gear Online beta patched again (we're so close)
The regrettably delayed Metal Gear Online beta is fast approaching; in fact, with the servers going online in less than a day, it's close enough that we could probably sneak up behind it, snap its neck, and shove it in a locker somewhere. But, before all that, Konami has one (we hope) last patch, to "modify the way in which the beta client connects to their server."We'd love to tease them and suggest they add more than one "server" but the patch's release note also contained the following apology: "We would like to first offer our most sincere apologies to our customers who had waited eagerly for the start of the 'Metal Gear Online Premiere Beta' test for all the inconvenience and confusion caused thus far." You know what, Konami? We wanted to stay angry with you, but we can't pout at a classy apology like that. We know it's a beta and we know you're taking this opportunity to iron out all the kinks before the real deal starts June 12. But hey, as long as we're still working out the kinks, might we humbly suggest you lose the ridiculous Konami ID + Game ID + PSN ID requirement?[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Konami ID site stabilized, Metal Gear Online beta registration commences
There's nothing "quick" about having to register three unique IDs to play the Metal Gear Online beta. But, assuming most would-be participants have already got a PlayStation Network account, the real pre-game obstacle has been the Konami ID and its supplementary Game ID. Since the beta (with its laggard update patch) was released for download last Wednesday, the Konami ID registration site has been a case study in how not to prepare for a traffic spike. Thankfully, the site is now back online with a temporary "quick registration" option for those of you eager to push past the bureaucracies and land in some actual gameplay, um, rather, return to the waiting room...[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Konami ID site retooled for speed
The most frustrating thing about the Metal Gear Online beta hasn't been the broken beta keys, the huge patch and client download or even the delay. It's trying to get a Konami ID from a website that simply refuses to work. Thankfully, that's in the past. Konami has retooled the ID registration website to be much more streamline and, as a result, much faster for all involved. So if you haven't managed to get your hands on a Konami ID, now's your chance. Make sure you get one before Friday the 25th so that you can jump straight in once the beta begins. So long as it doesn't get delayed again, that is.
Metal Gear Online beta 'planned' for April 25 ... late night
Konami has updated the status of the Metal Gear Online beta delay, now listing the "planned" start date and time as: 04/25/2008 24:00 (PDT). "While the start is planned for the weekend, it may change due to unforseen [sic] circumstances," reads an additional warning on the Metal Gear Online teaser site. Sheesh, guess it ain't called a "beta test" for nothin'...[Thanks, DavidB]
Metal Gear Online beta delayed
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/playstation/Metal_Gear_Online_beta_delayed_More_info_on_April_22'; On the eve of its debut, the Metal Gear Online US public beta has gone AWOL. More accurately, Konami has announced that the beta has been delayed due to "extraordinary levels of traffic from all around the globe" causing service problems.Konami did not give a new starting date for the beta, only to say that more information will be coming tomorrow, April 22. The end date, however, has been pushed back from May 5 to May 11. (Update: fixed date.) For those who need a fix desperately can peep the online manual for the game, including a listing of the 16 skills you can choose from to enhance your stealth killer.Update: Konami has set a tentative start date and time: 04/25/2008 24:00 (PDT) -- more here![Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
PS3 Fanboy hands-on: Metal Gear Online
PS3 Fanboy attended New York Comic Con this weekend and got the chance to play several upcoming games, including Metal Gear Online. Konami's booth hosted the game with four-on-four action on the "Blood Bath" map. Andrew, two friends, and myself took on four other gamers excited to play MGO.The first thing we saw before hitting the battle map was the weapons screen. Here, you need to choose one riffle type weapon, a sidearm, and grenades. There's a good selection of weapons within each category; however, it's still unclear whether all 70 plus weapons promised in MGS4 will make their way into MGO. Once we finally hit the battleground, we proceeded out in a unified team formation. Playing around with the controls, we noticed that MGO was pretty much a standard shooter experience -- which is a good thing as it felt very natural. %Gallery-12719%
Reminder: You can still win our Metal Gear Online beta code
Are you so adamantly against the practice of video game reservation that you refused to drop the five dollars on a Metal Gear Solid 4 pre-order to secure a Metal Gear Online beta access code? Or, rather, did you place said pre-order, only to receive a hobbled, impartial code? Don't forget, there's still a chance that your kind uncle Joystiq can secure your ticket -- just drop a comment on our contest thread (don't forget to check out those legally airtight rules and regulations) by noon tomorrow, and you could be snapping, cracking, and popping stranger's necks before you know it.Update: Locked comments in this thread. You can't win here, you'll have to go back to the old page.
Konami replacing botched Metal Gear Online beta codes
Fans of Kojima's genre-defining stealth action series only have to wait two more days until Konami flings wide the floodgates of the Metal Gear Online beta, giving North Americans with a pre-order bonus access code fourteen days to hide in cardboard boxes or perform questionable chiropractic procedures to their heart's content. Unfortunately, there are a number of Snakes-in-training who dropped a Lincoln to secure an incomplete beta code, due to a printing error at Konami HQ.Konami Support requests that those that are missing digits shoot them an email with the partial code and a return email address so that they can respond with a functioning code. With less than 48 hours until the beta launch, we suggest they step on it -- with the rising costs of torches and pitchforks, we're not sure the gaming populous could afford another Halo 3 beta delay debacle.[Via PS3F]
Konami will replace broken beta codes
Brandon Laurino of Konami Online has written another post on the PlayStation.Blog to address a number of questions people have had about the Metal Gear Online beta. The most pressing query being about a number of Metal Gear Online beta keys missing digits and, therefore, being unusable. People who are affected by this are advised to contact Konami Support, making sure to include your broken code and a return email address.Laurino continues to answer more questions from users. While he does so we find out that Konami representatives will be participating in the beta themselves and that we should "stay tuned" for more info. This is also the case if you are after more details on the "gunmetal PS3" bundle which was announced last week. Funnily enough, though, no mention has been made of the fact that it is currently impossible to get a Konami ID from the website. The beta starts on Monday, so we're hoping that will be fixed before then. Otherwise Konami could have a lot of angry PS3 owners on their hands.
Some Metal Gear Online beta codes invalid, downloads impossible
It appears that a few unfortunate PS3 owners have received invalid Metal Gear Online beta codes. While PSN redemption codes are usually 12 digits long, many are finding 9 digit codes instead. Attempts to use these abbreviated codes have been met with a frustrating error screen. Unless Konami rectifies this situation, these people will be unable to download or join the beta.We've contacted Konami, but have yet heard back from them. For now, we can only advise affected readers to email Konami support at mgobetasupport AT konami.com. We'll update this post when we find out more information.[Thanks to everyone that sent this in! Image from Justin M.]
