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Metal Gear brings in solid profits for Konami Q1
Konami announced that Solid Snake's final (?) adventure gave the company a nice macro-injection of cash. GameDaily reports the publisher saw revenues jump 116% to $656 million in the first quarter, with net income rising 47% to $52 million. Although Konami isn't just in the video game business, the company states sales of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots are "steadily increasing," noting that the games division contributed the most to its revenues.Konami continues its positive outlook for the rest of the fiscal year (ending March '09) with $3 billion in revenue and a net income of $240 million. Imagine how much more the company can make if giggle-inducing rhythm-game Rock Revolution is a hit and it wins the Rock Band lawsuit?
The Joystiq July 4 Weekend: 2008 edition
Over the weekend, we bought ourselves some fancy new Octo-Camo suits. Unfortunately, the suit failed about one minute after this picture taken, as it became so effective that we got sat on by a trio of quite rude individuals. Check out the highlights for this weekend:JoystiqueryThe Best of Big Download; June 29-July 5, 2008DS Fanboy Lite: June 28 - July 4Japanese hardware sales, June 23 - June 29: Nineteen hundred and ninety-five editionJoystiq Podcast 056 - Womb of Freedom editionJoyswag: C&C 3: Kane's Wrath (Xbox 360) giveaway, Day FourJoyswag: C&C 3: Kane's Wrath (Xbox 360) giveaway, Day FivePS Fanboy Week in Review: 6/30 - 7/6This Week in Review is evolution, babyWRUP: American EditionWeekly Webcomic Wrapup, now with more YahtzeeNewsPeter Moore explains EA Sports' PC snubRaven Squad to marry RTS, FPS this fallEA sorry over Irish anthem gaffe in UEFA Euro 2008Capcom.co.jp lists Devil May Cry for PSPSee a hot anime clip from Street Fighter IVWario Land Shake intro and gameplay videosWrath of the Lich King beta registration now open in USHudson explodes onto the iPhone with Bomberman Touch video"On the Seven7th Day" Bungie shows you Cold StorageSiren: Blood Curse priced, dated for Europe - £19.99, July 24thDiablo 3 to emphasize cooperation, PvP to be includedProfessor Noel Gallagher gives lecture on game violenceVideo: PSP app uses GPS to remix tunes as you walkLeaked box art shows maraca attachments for Samba de AmigoNew MGS4 camo DLC hits with LOLs aplentyWall-E becomes first Arabic-language game for current-gen consolesZeppelin's Jimmy Page uncomfortable lending master recordings to rhythm gamesMercenaries 2 developer walkthrough previews different 'approaches'New Mortal Kombat vs. DC screenshots are fairly brutalBurnout Paradise 'Cagney' update for Xbox 360 delayed until July 14Confront the SOCOM: Confrontation trailerAtlus bringing Persona 4 to North America on December 9Chrono Trigger DS countdown ends, 'reveals' Chrono TriggerHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and the debut trailerRumors & SpeculaitonDiablo 3 'theoretically possible' for console port Rumor: Rock Band 2 setlist reportedly discovered by two sourcesCulture & CommunityCondi, other foreign ministers receive custom DSHandheld NES ... in an NES cartridgeBrawl on the go with homebrew Super Smash Bros. Rumble
New MGS4 camo DLC hits with LOLs aplenty
We were starting to think that the new camo patterns available for download via Metal Gear Solid 4's "Extras" screen were going to be fairly mundane. Silly us! This is Hideo Kojima we're talking about here, and behind his stoic stare the guy has quite the sense of humor.Case in point: the two new OctoCamo patterns available today. Called "Laughing Camo" and "Raging Camo," they cover Snake in text when equipped (which doesn't exactly sound like the best thing for, you know, stealth gameplay). These patterns aren't about hiding from enemies, though ... their effects are actually seen when you get near them. They cause PMC soldiers and other foes to break out into laughter and howling on sight, rendering them temporaily stunned. (Making the new camo settings something you'll want to use only on your second, third, fourth, or fith play-through, lest you ruin a "pure" first-time experience.) Taking on The Patriots and getting kooky with Kojima? That's what we call a fun way to spend the Fourth.
PSN Thursday: Still sifting through MGS4 database edition
The PSN update this week is nothing special, but we're still too busy sifting through the MGS4 Database added in last week's update to really care. Beyond the surprising amount of depth the database gets into, it's interesting to see some flat-out confirmations of some arguable points in the MGS canon -- like the whole Raikov being gay thing. The other additions this week include the normal rhythm game additions and Medievel Resurrection for PSP. The full PSN update can be found after the break. The MGS4 Database is the big deal this week on the European PSN update, get the full details on the update over at PS3 Fanboy.
OMGS4: Watch someone earn Big Boss emblem in under 3 hours
We think it goes without saying that the above video is spoilerific, but just to be clear, we're putting that word in bold so your eyes quickly dart to it. Clocking in at just over 152 minutes, here's a video demonstration of how you earn the Big Boss emblem in Metal Gear Solid 4, which involves beating the game on the highest difficulty with no deaths, no alerts, no kills, no recovery items, no stealth suit and no special items ... all in under 5 hours. Prepare your mind to be utterly blown.
OMGS4: Three million copies shipped worldwide
Solid Snake's swan song seems destined to be heard by many a PlayStation 3 owner, with Famitsu (translated by IGN) confirming that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots has shipped three million copies to various destinations worldwide. Speaking at a recent Sony investor meeting in Tokyo, SCE president Kaz Hirai reportedly noted that Hideo Kojima's opus has had a beneficial effect on PS3 hardware sales. Though its effects have been quite clear in Japan, the UK's Chart-Track group has previously stated that MGS4, despite being a top seller, only managed to have "minimal impact" on the PS3's selling rate. Konami has made no announcement regarding US sales yet, though we expect to see plenty of Metal Gear sold action on next month's NPD report.
Joystiq Podcast Extend Extra: Metal Gear Squabbling
Now that Solid Snake's story has come to an end, some of us are still having a hard time dealing with the loss. James has begun living on the New York City streets in his cardboard box costume and Chris just screams "SSNNNAAAKKKUUU!" at the stars every night. But some members of the Joystiq family have gotten proactive, talking out their thoughts on the series instead of bottling them up inside. So, join Joystiq's Ludwig Kietzmann and Ross Miller, and Nintendo Wii Fanboy's David Hinkle as they discuss their final thoughts on MGS 4, their hopes for the future of the series and just generally take an hour-long trip to Nerdtown. (Oh, they're also going to Lower Spoilersburg, so if that's a locale you want to avoid, you should spend your eartime elsewhere.) Get the podcast: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Joystiq Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3) [RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [Digg] Like the show? Digg it. [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Hosts: David Hinkle, Ludwig Kietzmann and Ross Miller Music: "Metal Gear Saga" by Harry Gregson-Williams
OMGS4: Sales exceed 1 million in Europe during first week
Senior stealth citizen news now, with European Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots sales exceeding one million units in its first week. Konami has called the demand for the game "exceptional," noting that the final chapter in Solid Snake's spiraling saga has seen high sales in all European territories. The 25,000 Limited Edition copies made available to the continent were "almost immediately" sold out. Figures. The PlayStation 3 sneak-em-up has seen similar success in Japan, outselling its closest competitor by a factor of 12. If you're among the million Metal Gears Sold and don't know your Gekkos from your Frogs, be sure to download the free MGS4 Database from the Euro PlayStation Network this Thursday.
Metal Gear Solid 4 Database to educate Europe this Thursday
We've gotten into the bad habit of using the word "convoluted" every single time we write something about Metal Gear Solid 4, so we've gone ahead and opened up the thesaurus for this one. According to MCV, the Metal Gear Solid 4 Database, an interactive encyclopedia meant to guide players through Hideo Kojima's byzantine saga, will become available on the European PSN this Thursday, June 26th. It's filled with facts, it's free and it'll check your MGS4 progress before spoiling the part where Meryl is eaten alive by robot marmosets (from the future).So, what did you think of "byzantine?" Personally, we think that sounds too much like one of those effervescent energy pills. How about "labyrinthine?" "Daedalian?" There's also "knotty." These thesaurus things are quite convoluted, you know.
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.
PSN Thursday: The MGS4 Database, Fatal Inertia EX
This week's PSN update delivers the MGS4 Database, a repository of information that should explain the MGS saga in great -- and hopefully simple-to-understand -- detail. Oh yeah, best part, it's free! Also being added this week is the racer Fatal Inertia EX and new Guitar Hero III tracks by Coldplay. Of course, the Rock Band DLC is there as per usual. The full PSN update can be found after the break.The European PSN update is over at PS3 Fanboy. We recommend caution, they're really upset about not getting the MGS4 Database.
The secret weapons of Metal Gear Solid 4
The above video doesn't spoil anything story-wise, but it does show some of the weapons you can unlock in Metal Gear Solid 4. If that's going to bother you, don't press play. Otherwise, feel free to check out some of the incredible guns (which may or may not belong to The Patriots). We can't figure out if any of these would benefit or hurt our ability to sneak -- we'd probably just lose interest and jump in, guns blazing.(P.S. – Don't forget you can win a copy of MGS4 signed by Hideo Kojima.)[Via PS3 Fanboy]
MGS4 runs 12 circles around closest competitor first week in Japan
We already knew sales of Metal Gear Solid 4 were good for Japan, with Famitsu reporting earlier that 476,000 copies had been sold in the first few days of release. According to Media Create, that figure sneaks in an extra 11,000, as they're only tracking 465,000 in sales for the first week (via Gamasutra).Despite the missing units, the launch provides some interesting statistics. MGS4 moved over 12 times as many units as its closest competitor, Mario Kart Wii (38,000), and more than double that of the non-Metal Gear top 10 combined. Sorry, Snake, there's no place to hide in Japan. Snake? Snaaaake? SNAAAAAAKE! Check out our Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots page for all things Metal Gear. While you're at it, enter for your chance to win a copy of MGS4 signed by Hideo Kojima!
MGS4 Database available tomorrow on PSN
Konami will sneak in the MGS4 Database with tomorrow's PSN Store update. The free downloadable interactive program contains the "official knowledge base" of all things Metal Gear -- guess we can get rid of Ludwig now. The database will contain complete storylines, character profiles, relationship diagrams and "much more." A nice consideration in the database is that all MGS4 spoiler info is "blacked out" until the user beats the game.It's like explaining Metal Gear has become its own cottage industry. There are the actual Metal Gear games, and then there's trying to explain the Metal Gear story.
Metareview (US Edition) -- Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3)
So, here's the thing about a metareview for Metal Gear Solid 4: You probably don't give a crap. Well, let us rephrase that. It's not that you don't want to hear what people are saying about the game, it's that it's probably not going to effect your purchasing decision one way or the other. But it's rare, seeing a game that garners so many 10s while scoring as low as 8 with some outlets, so we figured it was worth taking a look at. Polarization ahoy! Game Informer (100/100): "For a game as ambitious and groundbreaking as Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, sticking to the formula simply isn't good enough.As the crowning achievement of the series' 20-year history, Hideo Kojima's final Metal Gear Solid title may not be what you expect, but it is everything you could hope for in a video game." 1UP (91/100): "The MGS4 conundrum is this: The further you play into the game, the less you actually play. Surrendering so much control to make way for movie sequences is galling, especially when the dialogue makes such a big deal about freedom and free will. And it's frustrating that this final chapter of the series begins so well, but ultimately fades -- because once the shock of the nonstop plot revelations wears off, the vanished gameplay leaves a nagging sense of disappointment. Despite this gradual decay, though, MGS4 is absolutely a great game." GameDaily (80/100): "Snake's epic, final act just isn't the triple A extravaganza we expected, and it's clear that if Konami intends to continue this franchise or spin off into something new, it needs to study its competition and evolve, delivering shorter cut scenes and superior shooting. But for now, this is one of the most important games in history and you'll dig its cool boss battles, at times witty dialogue and unrivaled sneaking mechanics."
Joyswag: Win a Kojima-signed copy of MGS4
Update: A winner has been selected and contacted via e-mail. Congrats!So this "Hideo Kojima" guy totally ruined our copy of Metal Gear Solid 4. He had the nerve to scribble all over it in permanent marker. It looks like he ... signed it? Yuck!His signature has obviously tarnished our copy. It's worthless now, so we're giving it away in this latest edition of Joyswag: Garbage Edition. Go ahead, take it away from us. We don't want it! Bah!To enter this giveaway, leave a comment expressing your earnest desire to collect our garbage. Comments must be left before 5PM EST on Monday, June 23rd. Only one comment per person per calendar day -- or else! One winner will be selected in a random drawing. Grand Prize Winner will receive a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (signed by Hideo Kojima and Yumi Kikuchi) for PS3 (MSRP: $60). Click here for complete Official Rules. Eligibility is restricted to the legal residents of the 50 United States (including DC) and Canada (excluding Quebec). You must be 18 years or older to enter.For another chance to win an autographed copy, visit PS3 Fanboy.
MGS4 sells 476K units first week in Japan; UK PS3 sales impact 'minimal'
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Here is the Metal Gear Solid 4 tale of two regions. In Japan, Famitsu reports that MGS4 sold 476,334 copies in its first few days, becoming the best-selling PS3 game to date in the region. Snake also boosted sales of the PS3 itself, with Japanese sales hovering around the 10K mark; the console sold 77,208 for the week.The UK tells a slightly different MGS4 sales tale. MGS4 is the second fastest-selling PS3 title behind Grand Theft Auto IV and was 14,000 short of MGS2's initial sales in 2002. Although the UK's Chart-Track apparently did not release actual numbers, the company's director did say that MGS4 had a "minimal impact" on hardware sales and that "there's not a lot to say about it."Unless Sony or Konami sends out a release, we're not expecting US sales figures until NPD's June report releases sometime next month.Source: Famitsu (translation) report (Via IGN)Source: Chart-Track: MGS4 had "minimal" impact on UK PS3 sales
Snaaake? We ask Sony about 'limited-edition' MGS4 80GB PS3 supply
We've received numerous "tips" concerning the Metal Gear Solid 4 80GB PlayStation3 bundle and just how darned scarce it's become in the wilds of retail. We checked with Sony (full statement after the break) to find out when more shipments of the "limited-edition" bundle will be sneaking back into North America.Sony tells us that it's pleased with the strong interest in the bundle (system seller confirmed!) and is "working to ensure that additional shipments are provided to retailers." The company wouldn't provide specific inventory levels or give a restocking date, so if you're really aching for the bundle, you'd best keep hitting redial and pestering your local retailer.
This Week in Review is sneaking ... and stuff
No time to talk, must sneak. Check out all of our impressions and reviews from the Joystiq Network this week:Metal Gear Solid 4 Metareview Nega-review War has changed: a veteran's MGS4 experience You have rookie eyes: a first-timer's MGS4 experience
See Hideo Kojima's brain
There have been plenty of times when we've dreamed about looking into Hideo Kojima's mind, if only to leave therein the suggestion that it's really about time for another Zone of the Enders or Snatcher game. But we never took the idea quite as literally as Kojima himself, who has the above MRI of his own noggin on display at his workplace. The pic was snapped a couple of years ago by MTV.The site has a larger version of Headeo Kojima, just perfect for ... whatever dark purpose some of you have already begun envisioning.
