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Hideo Kojima dismisses HD and 1080p, sort of
We picked up a GamePro magazine a couple of days back, because we like to read printed material every once in a while. Even though news travels so much faster on this crazy "series of tubes" called the internet, there are a few interviews and such that remain under the radar until the magazine hits shelves. One such interview was with Hideo Kojima, mastermind behind the Metal Gear games. Let's go over the key things we drew from his interview. In MGS4, Snake won't be utilizing his back-to-the-wall move anymore -- Hideo says it's not a very realistic move for the battlefield Snake will be on. You can hide behind stuff, take a peek out, then shoot, though. Blu-ray isn't all it's cracked up to be. Hold on. He says that a basic gameplay frame, HD visuals, and 5.1 sound takes up so much space that the advanced capacity of a Blu-ray is used up in no time. What does that say for plain ol' DVD's, then? MGS4 on multiple discs, perhaps? Kojima wants to try out the Wii after MGS4 wraps up -- supposedly. What could he be planning? Hideo doesn't care for HD at all. He purposely made the graphics appear dirtier than more generic "clean" screenshots, to bring a more realistic life to the atmosphere. That's good. So what have we learned here? Blu-ray is easy to fill up, HD graphics can make things look like plastic and unrealistic, Snake will have to find another signature stealth pose, and the Wii is interesting. Sounds like any other day, really. I mean, I have GI Joes in my closet to play with if I want plastic-laden soldiers. I demand scarring and mud on my PS3 warriors and I will have it! Eventually.[via GamePro magazine]
Stock trader sim imported, reviewed
The folks at GameBrink got their hands on a copy of Kabushiki Baibai Torenakabutore, a stock trader sim, but not the one we mentioned before. And the verdict is? Solid offering from Hideo Kojima (is there any other kind?), but not exactly import friendly unless you read Japanese. What's interesting about this game is that it relies on five years of real data from the Tokyo Stock Exchange, so the trends are realistic. They're not playing when they call this one a sim, are they? Further, all your favorite gaming companies are represented, like Nintendo and Konami. The lessons are real as well; a complete trading newb can apparently pick this up, play the game, and walk away knowing some real information about how the market works. Should a sim be so realistic? Maybe not always, but stock trading is apparently pretty addicting, so here it seems to work well.Since there are multiple companies busily forging stock trader games, perhaps we'll see a release outside Japan for one of these ... and now we're hoping for this one, since we've gotten a look at it!
Satoru Iwata: biggest Japanese industry cheese of '06?
The latest issue of Japan's Weekly Famitsu contains gory details of the magazine's annual Japanese industry awards, and it's little surprise that renowned industry savior Satoru Iwata is cited as the figure who made the greatest impact on videogames in 2006. NCL's friendly President (there's a French brand of cheese called Président, you know) received 201 votes to pip Ken Kutaragi, of all people, to the title. What "Big Ken" was even doing in the listings we fail to fathom, but there you have it. And here you have Famitsu's top five Japanese industry cheeses: Satoru Iwata (Nintendo) -- 201 votes Ken Kutaragi (Sony Computer Entertainment) -- 181 votes Hironobu Sakaguchi (Mistwalker) -- 126 votes Shigeru Miyamoto (Nintendo) -- 41 votes Hideo Kojima (Konami) -- 33 votes
A little bit of foresight -- Portable Ops style
There's a very interesting idea floating around. This idea says the upcoming PSP title, Metal Gear: Portable Ops is a little more than simply an MGS3 sequel -- it's a testing ground for new gameplay elements that may appear in Metal Gear Solid 4. Since MG:PO has some drastically different gameplay elements (4-man teams, limited inventory, recruiting any character seen to help you out, etc), Kojima and friends might be using the PSP game to see how people, and critics, react to these new styles of play.You see, even though we've seen trailer after trailer of Metal Gear Solid 4, we've yet to see much concerning actual gameplay. An aging Snake taking on armies of mechs alone? Not likely. Many gameplay elements are completely unheard of -- this may be a reason why. What do you guys think? Is the PSP game a sort of test for how loyal enthusiasts react to gameplay changes that may appear in the PS3 title? It's an interesting idea, but at the same time, no one thought that Snake would battle with cards via Ac!d in future games.
Hideo Kojima still misses his dear rumble
You may be thinking to yourself, "!", but it's more like "?", followed by a shrug or perhaps a strange pattern of walking. Metal Gear overlord and storyteller extraordinaire, Hideo Kojima, does indeed miss the rumble feature in the Sony controller for the PS3, as told in an interview with OPM. He even "hopes it will come back". A lot of people do, Kojima-san, a lot of people do.How about the motion-sensing? Kojima did say they would use it in some way, shape, or form, but wasn't specific as to what, exactly. Let's take some time to think about it. Would it be aiming? No, no... that needs more than six axes (axe-eees). Looking around corners? Maybe, but L2 and R2 did just fine there. Perhaps moving the camera after hitting the aforementioned buttons? No... the right analog was dandy. Perhaps controlling something akin to the Nikita missile? That would be subtle enough to not get in Kojima's way, but still a proper utilization. Leave us your theories here!
MGS4 on the 360? Let's debate some random rumors!
People over at Konami HQ have long been pressuring Hideo Kojima, mind behind the Metal Gear games, to go multi-platform. Until the time of this writing, he has remained adamant about staying solely on Sony platforms (although MGS2 did get onto the XBox after some time). So, what's the rumor, eh? Check out the cover of EGM. Zoom in or whatever on the smaller print right above Master Chief's head. MGS4 on the 360? Couldn't be! What's the proof? We won't know until we get our mitts on this magazine (I'll check my mailbox incessantly -- I'm that addicted to gaming "news"). Unless this magazine is out... don't think so. Last one we got had a huge Gears of War spread. Well, let's try our best to keep this civilized, but... what do you guys think would happen if Metal Gear goes multi-platform? Is it truly (along with Squeenix -- debatable) the only thing keeping Sony afloat? How important are the (trite, meaningless phrase warning) killer apps for each system? Is it enough to have large quantities of "pretty good" games, or do you have to have one "I need this game right now or I'll kill you" among a sea of mediocre garbage? Ready? Go.
Will Wright makes "Digital 50" Top 5, beats out Google & YouTube founders
The Producers' Guild of America has recognized the achievements of Will Wright (The Sims), Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear Solid), and Tetsuya Mizuguchi (Rez & Lumines), naming the three luminaries to the Guild's current list of 50 most innovative producers in the field of Digital Entertainment. Wright even landed in the number 5 position, besting big-name contributors like Google's Larry Page and Sergei Brin (#9), and YouTube's Chad Hurley and Chris Chen (#23). Kojima and Mizuguchi made the list at numbers 38 and 50 respectively.Brain Age's Dr. Ryuta Kawashima also made the list, popping up -- surprisingly -- at number 16. Anyways, a round of applause for the 'three gaming gods' and the talking head. Congrats, gentlemen.Who should the PGA elect next year?
Portable Ops crucial to Metal Gear Solid 4 story
Everything's connected. At least, according to Kevin Bacon JJ Abrams Hideo Kojima. And, in order to fully understand the events of the amazing-looking Metal Gear Solid 4 on the PS3, you'll have to buy yourself a PSP. The two upcoming PSP-exclusive Metal Gear titles (Digital Comic 2, Portable Ops) will establish the story for the next-gen sequel. "We'd like you to definitely play it [the PSP games]," Kojima was quoted saying. "If you change the Ops story, you have to change 4. If you change 4, it also becomes necessary to change Ops. Until Ops is finished, 4's story can't be finalized." We'll all get a taste of the Guns of the Patriots' storyline when Portable Ops hits the system in December.[Via IGN]
Fans of Kojima and Zone of the Enders rejoice! A third is born...
There's always that one game series that pleases whoever plays it, but it doesn't exactly pop up in daily "I wish..." conversations. It's sort of an... unspoken respect, or something. Zone of the Enders is like that. They're great games (even though many, many people bought the first game for the included Metal Gear Solid 2 demo...) but they don't exactly get voiced as such. The silent masses? Well, time to let your voice be heard -- Zone of the Enders 3 is officially in development.Over at the unofficial Metal Gear Solid website, they've posted a scan of the lastest PSM3, detailing what little news other than the confirmation of ZOE3 is available. It's time to hype this one up as another great robot battle royale with twisting storylines and intense, almost seizure-inducing, visuals. Let's do this by recounting our favorite ZOE and ZOE2 moments. If your moment consists of popping in the MGS2 demo and tossing the first ZOE aside, then... well, whatever floats your boat, but you missed out. Scheduled for 2007, though? Doubt it. More on this as details surface.
TGS: Bootlegged MGS4 trailer given clarity
The Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer we reported yesterday is now available in higher quality. Enjoy with more clarity Snake's oil drum-rolling antics (Snakes in a Barrel anyone?) and an incident involving bird poop and what might be Gray Fox / Frank Jaeger. The video is embedded below for your convenience, compliments of Game Videos.
TGS 06: MGS Portable Ops has best trailer ever [Update 2]
Words can not express how amazing the new Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops looks. Stream the video by clicking above and watch your jaw drop, with saliva literally gushing out.[Via IGN Boards][Update 1: Now embedded after the cut.][Update 2: New gameplay video added.]
Yeah... this is the last Metal Gear Solid game...
It's sad, but series creator Hideo Kojima seems adamant about this being the last MGS title before he retires from the series (but that means there's another Metal Gear series, right?! No? Ah, well...). Here's a couple of things to expect from the game, aside from sheer awesomeness: The Octacamo -- Snake's new sneaking suit that allows him to blend into any surrounding so long as he remains motionless. You know, some people don't even need a camo suit to remain "unseen". Oh, sorry, was that too emo? Anyway, even pressing against a wall riddled with bullet holes, Snake will also appear to have such holes. Neato. Your enemies and allies will be determined by how you play the game, it has been noted. Liquid Ocelot is, of course, your ultimate villain, but normal soldiers are give or take. Factions within the soldiers' ranks may prove a useful tool to exploit... You can scare enemies (a la Batman in Batman Begins, maybe) to the point they actually submit to your will and, yes, pee their pants like they mean it. So many characters making an appearance! Will they all get enough screen time? Will their individual stories reach a satisfying conclusion? Let's hope so. Essentially, this game is going to be fun. It just is. Even though this blogger's record with the Metal Gear franchise has been rough (oddly enough, after purchasing the game, they're barely touched until exactly one year later, when they're completed in a mad rush of "ohmigosh I gots to plays this games it's so cool"... yeah, it makes no sense, but it's practically tradition), it's still a very, uh, solid looking game and we can't wait to get our hands on it!
Metal Gear Solid case free with pre-order
You're probably going to get Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops anyways, but if for some crazy reason you're still on the fence, Konami has offered one of the cooler pre-order bonuses I've seen in quite some time. Pre-order the game at Gamestop and you'll get a case for your system for free. Not just any case, though. A pretty spiffy-looking silver case with the image of Snake giving a salute. This is some classy stuff, and is sure to be as eye-catching as the $500 Signature Edition PSPs.[Via Gamespot]
Metal Gear Solid 4 is still lookin' good
Normally, articles about new screenshots are pretty foolish, but when it's Metal Gear Solid 4 and some wallpaper-esque screens, it's worth a mention (and a look). Of note at the Neogaf forum is the notion the graphics were downgraded from what was shown at E3. Not so! From a long history of video-game dissection (rolling your eyes is acceptable), it seems more like these shots are actual gameplay and not the super-fancy polished bits from E3. Even so, look at that truck getting blown up! Awesome. Some textures do need touched up (the picture of the two soldiers) but that's not too big of a concern.What else is there to say? Not very much. Check the screens and let's talk about it. Think these are gameplay, or simply less polished screens than what we're used to? Were the old ones gameplay? Answers going both ways are everywhere! Regardless, the game is looking like it'll be fun.
Kojima to design Snake's Smash Bros. Brawl stage
Sparked by remarks from a Nintendo Power contributor, reports indicate that Hideo Kojima will design Snake's stage for Wii's Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Nintendo Power's Chris Hoffman recently commented, "If you want to talk about something big, how about the news Hideo Kojima, Snake's creator, is designing Snake's level in Brawl? Snake's inclusion means we're not only getting one of the best characters in gaming, but one of the best developers as well."With Sakurai at the helm and Kojima lending, not just Snake, but his actual development talent, are we anticipating the ... Best. Smash Bros. Ever?
Kojima on Wii: Interesting controller, dated graphics
After infamously comparing the Wii to a television, respected and surprisingly non-grumpy game developer, Hideo Kojima, recently revisited the topic of how the next-gen consoles compare to one another. Thankfully, he refrained from using film, cuisine or extreme sports analogies this time. Speaking in a group interview alongside advent child Testuya Nomura and Metal Gear Solid 4's Yoji Shinkawa, Kojima made it clear that he views the technologically advanced PS3 as leading the way to the future. He noted that the high cost of the system would be a necessary evil in order to push the industry to new heights, whereas the Wii could be considered "interesting, but in terms of functions, it's a machine with past concepts." It's fair to assume that he is referring directly to the Wii's less robust graphical abilities, certainly an important factor when it comes to the sort of cinematic presentation Kojima's games have become known for. However, Kojima goes on to suggest how the PS3 might be improved. "The best thing would be a PS3 with controls like the Wii."That sounds grand to us ... but it would probably cost a grand too. Money well spent?
Kojima creates more PS3 analogies
A recent panel interview was held at IGN between Metal Gear guru Hideo Kojima, MGS4 art director Yoji Shinkawa and Square-Enix's own Tetsuya Nomura (pictured right) regarding their take on the PS3. Having likened it to many things before, Kojima had a lot to say about Sony's new box o' tricks, saying "If you think about the future of the industry and game creators, I get the feeling that the winner had better be the movie theater -- or, the PS3. No one will say that the price is cheap." He adds later on that his optimal choice of gadgetry would have been "a PS3 with controls like the Wii."How about Nomura's take? Final Fantasy games were a huge selling point on the PSX and the PS2, not to mention other fantastic Square-Enix RPG's, so his opinion will carry a lot of weight in the Japanese RPGamer crowd. He felt that "as a game machine, it's too expensive." But he softened this typical argument with "Thinking two to three years from now, the PS3 will be the most appropriate."The three also joked about another Zone of Enders title. Maybe they weren't joking -- those were some pretty good games. Either way, it seems the big names at Konami and Square-Enix are voicing their support of the PS3. Whether it hits big right at launch or creeps its way to the summit of the mountain in a few years, they seem to feel the PS3 is going to be it.[Edit: added a reference for the picture, clarifying that it is Tetsuya Nomura -- Should have made that more clear.]
Kojima loves analogies
The latest issue of Official Playstation Monthly featured a short interview with Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima. After comparing the three next-gen systems to food in a rather famous quote a year ago, Hideo now has a new view on the subject."Now, the PlayStation 3 is like a movie theater for people who want to see this movie on the big screen with THX and 5.1 audio, even if they have to pay a high price. The Xbox 360 is DVD. Basically, you don't know what movie you want to see, so you go to the store and see if you can pick up a good one. The Wii is like a TV for when you're home and you don't know what you want to watch but you [want to] have that variety."Yeahhhhh. Not really sure what that means, but Hideo has shown some major love for the Wii in the past, so it must be good. Anyone have some of their own interesting analogies they'd like to share?
Metal Gear Solid movie confirmed definitively
Metal Gear Solid creator, Hideo Kojima, has already ruled out Uwe Boll ("it's impossible") as a directorial candidate of a possible cinematic adaptation of the celebrated series, without confirming that such a project was even under way ... until now, that is. Gamespot reports that the Kojima Productions spoof of the E3 Show Daily, dubbed "Show Maybe," teases, "In a late-breaking surprise announcement, director Hideo Kojima revealed that his most famous creation -- Metal Gear Solid -- is getting the live-action treatment."On the back page Kojima writes, "I have received many offers to adapt Metal Gear Solid. It has taken a long time, but we have finally settled on an arrangement ... False facts aside, a movie project is underway. I have finalized a Class-A contract with a party in Hollywood." Now that the cat's out of the bag, expect periodic updates leading up to the 2007 release of Metal Gear Solid 4. Who's directing? Whose starring? For once, fans can't complain about lengthy cut scenes!
Kojima's DS game touts vampirism and meteorology
If you spend a good deal of your time watching classic Dracula movies or, uh, the Weather Channel, you would no doubt be interested in Hideo Kojima's new DS game, Lunar Knights. Featuring loads of snarling vampires and weather effects, Gamespot notes that the game follows the adventures of two warriors looking to spill the blood of some blood-suckers. The stylus is used for plenty of actions in the game, just as you'd expect, but the interesting part comes in with the use of the DS' top screen. As your characters traverse the bottom screen, the weather above them (so to speak) will change and affect their abilities to successfully fend off the vampires plaguing the planet. If the thought of umbrella-wielding heroes slaying in the rain doesn't appeal to you, you are most likely dead inside.
