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Kojima's Ryan Payton talks more underwear monkey
We're not sure if you're on Metal Gear Solid 4 overload yet, but we thought some of you might find this new interview with Kojima Productions producer Ryan Payton of some interest. Sure, he talks about some of the Western influences on the game and some of the nuances of Metal Gear Online, but he also gives up the details you crave on monkey in a diaper and his buddy Sisqo/Demolition Man-era Wesley snipes.As Payton is quick to correct, it's a monkey in pants (boo!) whose taken on a larger role in the game (yay!) as development has progressed. Also, Sisqo is actually named Drebin and is actually an arms dealer, not a fallen star of dance hall R&B. Let me see that claymore! Clay-more-more-more-more-more.
See Snake, hear Hayter in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
You might have heard that actor David Hayter had confirmed his involvement in voicing Snake for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Now, GameTrailers brings us the product of that collabo with a short clip introducing Snake to the plumber, the myth, the legend that is Mario.While the battle isn't quite the "It'sa me! Mar--" <M1911A1 headshot> "...gurgle" that you'd expect in the real world, it is very silly, which we guess is what fans of the series are looking for. Also, you don't want to miss this clip of Snake wondering what it would be like to eat Yoshi, a thought we've probably all entertained at some point.
TGS07: The MGS4 english trailer and gameplay footage
Though GameVideos may be suffering from the weight of the internet battering against its front door, the video site does have the new Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer from Tokyo Game Show, both in regular (embedded above) and HD. There is also new gameplay footage, which we have embedded after the break.
Yo, Snake: Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer gets leaked early
A Korean game site broke embargo today -- which, although is bad for them, means we get to enjoy a new trailer for Metal Gear Solid 4 early! Use this handy script to follow along. We don't want to spoil anything, but keep an eye out for a man and his monkey; generally, men who keep company with primates are very important.According to GameVideos, the "real" version (most likely a higher quality feed of the above video) will arrive 9 p.m. ET.
Kojima talks Metal Gear Online, Xbox 360 and "The Rumble Guy"
After his Leipzig presentation, Hideo Kojima took some time to answer some questions from the audience. When asked if Metal Gear Online will be separate from the main MGS4 game, he answered: "When you play story mode you will be able to go online and it will have extra stuff at the end. Haven't decided whether it will be separate or not, but if you buy MGS4 you can play a portion of online at least."When asked about rumble, Kojima-san told a tale of woe: "In Kojima Productions there is a man, we call him The Rumble Guy, and he has nothing to do right now. So every day I worry about him. I want to include Rumble so that he has something to do." Please Sony! Give The Rumble Guy something to do!Finally, when asked about a 360 version, he reconfirmed what we knew all along: "Right now it's only being made for PS3. No plans for 360 for now." For the complete Q&A, visit Joystiq.
LGC07: Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer arrives
If you read about some of the technical issues this trailer was having yesterday at Leipzig, you might be a little confused when you first start watching this new Metal Gear Solid 4 video from the show. Be patient! Though you've seen the first half of this video before, we think the second half will be pretty eye-opening.We think you'd probably remember it if you'd seen scary metal dog in previous trailers, ditto for Lady Doctor Octopus, Flying Doctor Octopus and the guy who loves rage. Maybe it's just how they murder a bunch of people, but we're getting a rogue's gallery vibe here. What do you think?
New Metal Gear trailer dies during Leipzig
The Konami press conference at Leipzig was supposed to feature a brand-new trailer for Metal Gear Solid 4. The crowd, jittery in anticipation, shivered as they saw the opening moments of Kojima's latest ... and were shocked to hear the audio start fading away -- and the video, gone. Konami pulled the plug due to "technical difficulties." Now, the trailer is being rescheduled for tomorrow, to satiate the bloodthirsty crowd.At the very least, Europe knows that Kojima is aiming for a simultaneous release for its upcoming PS3-exclusive. "In the past, I felt bad that the European versions of Metal Gear were always last. I can confidently say that we aim to have a simultaneous worldwide release with Metal Gear Solid 4."
No More Heroes: more beam katanas and Raidenesque Irishmen
The latest No More Heroes site update reveals some of the different beam katana weapons that Travis Touchdown will be using in his quest to become the highest-ranked assassin in Santa Destroy for some reason. The "system" page has images of the pistol-gripped "Blood Berry," which is the katana that Travis wins from an auction, and the elegant Tsubaki, which is made for him by Naomi.We think we're going to scour eBay for a couple of hours now. We're definitely pro-beam katana, even if we feel pretty strongly anti-assassinating-folks.In other No More Heroes news, on the Kojima Productions Report podcast, voice actor Quinton Flynn revealed that he was a member of the No More Heroes voice cast, playing an Irish character named Henry. Flynn, best known for playing Raiden in Metal Gear Solid 2, was on the podcast to discuss his upcoming reprisal of that role. But you guys knew all of that, because you already listen to the Kojima Productions Report every week, right?
Konami to announce new MGS projects at Leipzig
According to Play, Hideo Kojima has some surprises lined up for us at this month's Leipzig Gaming Convention. Not only will there be a playable Metal Gear Solid 4 on-hand, Konami has mentioned that they will be also be announcing new Metal Gear Solid projects from Kojima Studio. It's interesting to see that the franchise is staying with Kojima Studio, considering Hideo Kojima has said he will no longer have a hand in Metal Gear Solid after MGS4. But it's cool to hear that he'll still at least have an eye on the series.Also, Kojima said he will be bringing a 'mystery guest' with him to the show. No hints were given at who this person would be, but the mind runs rampant with possibilities. Suda 51? David Hayter? Who knows! It would be awesome to see him pull a Jack Tretton and come out with a 7 foot tall Wookie. Snake vs Chewbacca -- exclusive on the PS3. (Hey, we can dream right?)
Metal Gear Online to be focused on team play
There's a difference in the way that Americans and the Japanese approach team sports. For example, a baseball player there is more likely to be revered for bunting to load the bases for the team than going for the big play and the personal glory. Perhaps somewhere in that difference is the reason that Western shooters have never fared particularly well there and why we haven't seen many great Japanese shooters on our shores. In this interview with Kojima Productions' Ryan Payton, he says that he's encouraging the team crafting Metal Gear Online to allow that emphasis on serving the team first to shine through in the game.We're interested to see how this aspect will be integrated, as Payton promises that the game is more focused on team play than on just "killing your opponent." But we'd be lying if we didn't say we were a little bit concerned ... we will still get to kill our opponent, right? We're all for playing as a team and everything, as long as it still culminates in our good-old American thirst for blood being slaked.
Kojima walks us through MGS4 gameplay
Wait ... there's actual gameplay in Metal Gear Solid 4? The beautiful cinematic trailers left us perfectly content with watching the game. However, after watching Kojima's walkthrough of the game, we'll be pretty cool with actually having to play the game as well. Of particular focus is the new camouflage system, where Snake can turn into a statue, or blend in with the floor. Also, you may notice a far more intelligent camera system in this latest iteration of the Metal Gear series: it follows Snake, behind the back, and will jump into an over-the-shoulder view for aiming. We're glad to say the game looks good. Not just graphically, but it looks to play very well. Certainly, we weren't expecting anything less from Kojima Productions. PS3 owners will have a lot to look forward to when this exclusive arrives next year.
Watch Kojima, Suda 51 and Mikami chatting, blowing minds
This half-hour long video isn't chock full of news or hot gameplay footage. But for those of who love Metal Gear Solid or Resident Evil, it's 26 minutes more than well spent. It's Hideo Kojima (MGS) and Shinji Mikami (RE) having an informal chat that's basically moderated by Suda 51, creator of Killer 7. The event, held this summer, was called "Snake vs. Zombie." (P.S. We need one of those T-shirts, STAT.)Come on, it's Saturday. You don't have anything to do. You owe it to yourself to spend a half-hour with these guys. If you need more convincing, know that you'll get to hear Kojima's brilliant plan to turn Resident Evil into a boring, yet profitable MMORPG and Mikami's revelation that he was drunk when he decided to be in charge of the Resident Evil remake. Honestly, it's hysterical. Go. Watch.
Watch the new Metal Gear Solid 4 trailer
What more did you want us to say? It's an absolutely awesome new trailer for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. It's got an incredible fight between Ninja Raiden and Vamp. It's got more gravely voices than a hot tar gargling competition. Sadly, it doesn't seem to contain any actual gameplay, but it's still probably going to be the best minutes of your day. Seriously, just watch it.
Kojima done with Metal Gear series
As he presented his piping hot trailer for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, (here's a link) Hideo Kojima related the sad news that the game, due in early 2008, would be his last entry in the series and the end of the story. "So, all the story plot, the characters, the mysteries, will be revealed," he said through his translator, as the Incredible Hulk sadly walking away music began playing in our imaginations.He promises that he's putting everything he's got into the series finale though, a fact that seemed to be evidenced by the trailer, which was capped by an absolute stunner of a battle between Vamp and Ninja Raiden. Though not playable at the conference, Kojima said he'd be demoing gameplay in Tokyo next week. Count us enthused.
Kojima Report podcast talks MGS4 on 360
Every ten-thousand years or so, an event of such magnitude occurs that life, as we know it, is changed forever. Nope, Metal Gear Solid 4 hasn't been announced for the Xbox 360 (yet) but that didn't stop some 1UP guys from cramming into the Kojima Report podcast and talking about the possibility of the genetically-enhanced aging super soldier simulator, Metal Gear Solid 4, coming to the 'box. Kojima Reports' Ryan Payton ducked into a locker, stating, "... we have not changed the game in any form with the idea of 'oh, we got to do this on 360.' Put aside whether or not we're developing for 360 or not, the game is built on the PS3 hardware ... ." Using our relatively limited reading skills, we've managed to determine that one of two possible conclusions can be irresponsibly jumped to. The first: that the game will not be coming to the Xbox 360 and, as a result, they haven't changed anything; the second: the Xbox 360 introduced no limitations to their production and, as a result, it didn't need any changing. Either way, the lesson we can all take away from this is that Kojima doesn't change things. Except his metaphors.
Kojima: Brawl is "very complete"
Our love of Kojima is no secret within the walls of Fanboy HQ, so when he goes on record saying that he got to play Super Smash Bros. Brawl with the game's director, Masahiro Sakurai, we listen. Not only that, but the game he played was apparently very polished. How polished? Well, according to Kojima Productions podcast person Ryan Patton, Kojima said the game was "a lot of fun" and "already feels very complete."As if that wasn't enough torture, Kojima apparently further emphasized his opinions on how finished the game felt, adding "You guys could put it out right now and it could sell millions of copies." Of course, we're kind of peeved that the game isn't on store shelves, in its apparent "millions-selling version," but if the version Kojima played was that good, imagine what the final product is going to be like?[Via Joystiq]Listen - Kojima Productions podcast (Smash Bros. discussion starts around the 11 minute mark)
Report: Kojima feels Smash Bros. Brawl "very complete"
The next game in the Super Smash Bros. saga may be ready sooner than later. At a recent gathering of Japanese game developers, Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima reportedly got a chance to play a version of the game with Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai. According to Kojima Productions podcastee Ryan Payton, Kojima later said the game was "a lot of fun" and "already feels very complete." How complete? "You guys could put it out right now and it could sell millions of copies," Kojima reportedly said.Nintendo has been characteristically stingy with details about the highly-anticipated game, releasing no new information since a trailer last November. Could this be a sign the game will indeed make the 2007 release date promised way back at the last E3? Here's hoping.[Via 1PStart]Listen - Kojima Productions podcast (Smash Bros. discussion starts around 11 minute mark)
Wii Warm Up: Snake's Revenge
Some slightly disparaging remarks were made recently on this blog about Metal Gear Solid's Solid Snake. While a certain contingent of our staff may doubt the fighting ability of the son of Big Boss, but we know the truth. Snake is hardcore. He may ask a lot of questions ("Metal Gear?" "A Hind-D?") and he may have a habit of hiding in boxes, but he definitely has the combat prowess required for Smash Bros., made evident by the fact that he smashed his own brother.This post is a big "!" for Snake fans. We can hear your thoughts. Come out of hiding and tell us how awesome Solid Snake is!
Suda 51 & Kojima's 'Project S' based on Snatcher, radio drama announced
According to Famitsu, Suda 51 has declassified 'Project S,' a not-so-mysterious collaboration with Hideo Kojima. As suspected, "S" is for "Snatcher," Kojima's 1988 cyberpunk adventure, which was eventually translated and released for Sega CD in 1994. During this past weekend's 'Snake vs Zombie Vol. 2' event, Suda confessed that Snatcher was his favorite Kojima effort, prompting a few snickers between the No More Heroes creator and Kojima, who joined Suda on stage. While the pair alluded to Project S's presumed connection to Snatcher, it wasn't until this week's article that the link was openly confirmed.Project S is apparently a series of works based on the Snatcher property. The first, a radio drama (yeah, you read that right, radio drama), will be written by Suda 51, who will also star as one of the voice actors. "I think I will call it 'Snatchers.' I can't talk about the details of the story at this point," he told Famitsu. Any chance it'll make it to satellite?
Kojima and Suda 51 tease Snatcher fans
Last Saturday, Suda 51's company Grasshopper Manufacture held the coolest event ever, at least for game nerds: Snake vs. Zombie vol. 2, a series of informal panel discussions by big names in the Japanese game industry, including Hideo Kojima, Shinji Mikami, ICO's Fumito Ueda, and Tetsuya Mizuguchi. There were also musical performances from Metal Gear Solid 3/Portable Ops soundtrack composer Norihiko Hibino and Silent Hill series producer and composer Akira Yamaoka.As if the mere existence of this event (and our non-attendance at said event) weren't causing us physical pain, now we have unbearable anticipation buzzing around in our heads. During a Kojima/Mikami panel hosted by Suda, Mikami, a man of taste, mentioned that his favorite Kojima game was Snatcher, to which the other two responded "Ah yes, Snatcher," followed by "Oh, should we announce it here?" To sum up, in italics, there is a possibility that Hideo Kojima and Suda 51 are collaborating on some kind of Snatcher game. We do not care if it is a sequel, a remake, a port, an action figure, or an official recipe for Neo Kobe Pizza. We want ten.
