MGS4
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Kojima interview reveals MGS4 tidbits
Twenty years after the first Metal Gear game, creator Hideo Kojima is surprised he's sill working on the multimillion-selling series. This and other interesting tidbits came up in a recent interview with Kotaku. Among the relevant bits: Kojima reconfirms that Metal Gear Solid 4 is "aimed for the PS3" and won't go multiplatform. He suggests that rumors to the contrary persist "because 360 owners want it on 360, obviously." Take that, 360 fanboys. Kojima would like rumble in the new game, but isn't sure the controller technology will be available in time. As of now, the game is being built without rumble support. Will MGS4 be the last game in the series (as its predecessors were once supposed to be)? "It's really up to the users ... If users want more Metal Gear, then I will probably step up as producer, like the James Bond series does." Also see: Kojima apologizes for lack of edible koalas in MGS3
Kojima apologizes for lack of edible koalas in MGS3 [update 1]
At GO3, an Australian gaming conference of import (that's fancy speak for importance, not goods entering a country), Hideo Kojima had a little speech planned out where he discussed "game technology evolution" and proceeded through the Metal Gear series up to MGS4's current progress. We'll get to that.Before we go there, though, Kojima offered up an apology for the jungle in Snake Eater: "looks more like your backyard than a jungle," he joked, then apologized to the audience in Japanese for not letting koalas be an edible food source in the game. Would koalas even taste good? They'd probably taste like what they eat -- eucalyptus leaves. Anyway, on to MGS4 not-so-news.In line with the rest of his speech on innovating gameplay, he and his team knew that they "exhausted the concept of the space, so why not create a situation, rather then a place where Snake had to sneak in" and decided on a battlezone. He explained the possibilities of the battlefield setting -- how there are two sides fighting and one isn't necessarily Snake's enemy, moral ambiguities, et cetera. Then he showed the latest, but already viewed by many, trailer for the game. So, nothing new on the game, but it's nice to read about how Kojima has evolved the franchise across time.[update: changed the koala's dietary properties to eucalyptus leaves...]
MGS 4 coming to the 360 rumor is staying alive
The guys over at vg resource center are adding fuel to the Metal Gear Solid 4 coming to the 360 rumor. Supposedly, they received an email from an anonymous source at Konami stating that Xbox 360 owners would be seeing MGS 4 roughly six months after launch. In effect, a timed exclusive for the PS3. The email also goes on to say that Konami has "been working with Microsoft so the 360 and PC versions will both take advantage of Xbox Live and Games for Windows Live, with such features as achievements and the ability for 360 and PC owners to play against each other in multiplayer" Interesting isn't it? Just from that sentence we're going to have to call bullcrap on this rumor, especially since they're claiming to allow PC and Live players to play against eachother. How many games have fully integrated this feature and how much of an undertaking would it be? The undertaking would be massive and is especially odd since MGS 4 would have initially been a PS3 exclusive. There's definitely a chance that we'll be seeing MGS 4 on the 360, but only a 2% chance it'd be integrated into Live for Windows. Sorry everyone, we're going say "blah" to this Konami contact.[Thanks, djphatjive]
April Fool's Alert #3: MGS4 on Xbox 360 and Blue Hobbits in LOTRO
This one is a cute April Fool's Day joke, despite Turbine announcing it on Friday, they did give it a dateline of April 1. What Turbine says is that in their upcoming Lord of the Rings Online, you'll meet the Sméorufolc, a version of hobbit who wear caps of white wool. They also have a passion for mushrooms and eating them altered their skin color to blue. Yes, they are Middle-earth Smurfs. The "press release" looks to be full of subtle anagrams and generally playful nonsense. Only a few more hours till Blizzard, a company known for their April Fool's Day jokes, steps up to the plate. What will it be?On the other end of the cute spectrum, a confirmation of Metal Gear Solid 4 on the Xbox 360. We still can't tell if this was intended as a joke, but VG Resource Center says they have confirmation of MGS4 on the Xbox 360. VGRC claims they have an email from Konami stating, "Yes, in fact, we are working on putting Metal Gear Solid 4 on the Xbox 360 and PC, which should both come out roughly 6 months after the PS3 release. However, we've been working with Microsoft so the 360 and PC versions will both take advantage of Xbox Live and Games for Windows Live, with such features as achievements and the ability for 360 and PC owners to play against each other in multiplayer. I'd love to give you some more details, but this is already pushing it. We are making the big announcement July 11th at this year's E3, so you'll just have to wait until then. Sorry!"So, the source at Konami acknowledged the game, announced another platform, said it would have Live capabilities, says the big announcement won't be till July 11, puts it all in a perfect quote and then apologizes that they can't give away any more information? Damn, you already gave away the whole cow, what are you apologizing for? We don't need anything else!
After DMC4, MS Germany wants MGS and FF
Boris Schneider-Johne, Product Manager of Microsoft Germany, is pleased that Devil May Cry 4 is headed to the Xbox 360. On his personal blog he posted a very simple message. Titled, "One down, two to go," it reads: Devil May Cry Final Fantasy Metal Gear Solid As IGN reports, many sites quickly speculated that Schneider-Johne was implying that Microsoft had plans to acquire the remaining franchises in the list. Schneider-Johne clarified in an update to his post that the list merely represents a personal wish list and doesn't reflect Microsoft as a whole. Personal wish list or not, there have certainly been rumblings that these major franchises could go multiplatform. Considering the rising cost of development, the success of the 360, and the rocky start of the PS3, it's not too far-fetched to think other series might make the jump as well.Anyone have any other PS3 exclusives they'd like to see on Xbox 360?
Marketing group gauges interest in MGS4 on 360
Evil Avatar reports on a recent marketing survey that's curious about your interest in Metal Gear Solid 4 on Xbox 360. The emailed questionnaire asked: "Would you like to see Metal Gear Solid 4 on Xbox 360?"; and "Would you buy an Xbox 360 just to play Metal Gear Solid 4?"While unnamed, Evil Avatar claims the "reputable" marketing group serves the interests of Microsoft (among other companies). Microsoft is a client of Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, Inc., which created the survey, but it's unclear if the questions, which were accompanied by non-MGS4 questions, were commissioned by Microsoft or first posed by Konami -- or if the responses will have any affect on Konami's current stance. Whatever the case, someone out there is still "polling" for a multi-platform release...The survey also included this somewhat relevant question: "On a scale of 0-100, with zero being not at all satisfied and 100 being very satisfied, how would you rate Konami's output on Xbox 360 to date?" Um, really? Geez, can we go with a negative number? 'Cause not only did Bomberman: Act Zero and Rumble Roses XX fail to satisfy, they offended us. (At least we have all those Xbox Live Arcade ports...) So to answer the initial question, "yes" -- to whomever is listening -- Metal Gear Solid 4 is not only a game we'd "like to see" on Xbox 360, it's absolutely necessary (in order for us to be satisfied with Konami's 360 output).Update: identified marketing group that conducted the survey; clarified why MGS4 is "absolutely necessary."
Survey: Would you like MGS4 on 360?
Bloggers love rumors. It's a scientific fact. Rumors provide us with a nourishment that neither videogames nor meaningful relationships can provide, especially rumors about Metal Gear Solid 4 on the Xbox 360. This one comes to us from Evil Avatar. It seems there is a survey circulating that asks some very pointed questions about MGS4. A few questions from the survey: "Would you like to see Metal Gear Solid 4 on Xbox 360?" "Would you buy an Xbox 360 just to play Metal Gear Solid 4?" "On a scale of 0-100, with zero being not at all satisfied and 100 being very satisfied, how would you rate Konami's output on Xbox 360 to date?"The survey reportedly comes from a reputable marketing company, one that compiles political exit polls and even has Microsoft as one of its major clients. Of course, the question is who made the survey? Is it Konami testing the waters for a possible port of MGS4, or did Microsoft organize the survey to plead their case to Konami? It's tough to say, but it's worth noting that this particular rumor seems to consistently resurface. How would you rate Konami's 360 output so far? Would Metal Gear Solid 4 change your mind?
Metal Gear Solid 4 Snake figure
Konami gives us a peek at Japanese toymaker Medicom's Metal Gear Solid 4 Snake figure. Standing at 12-inches tall, the figure is imbued with Medicom's RAH 301 technology, making Snake posable in a variety of realistic body stances. Art director Yoji Shinkawa oversaw production of the figure, which is scheduled to ship in November. Just in time for the game's release, eh?Source - click on "Metal Gear series" tab, then "Goods Page" under MGS4.[Thanks, Aaron]%Gallery-1474%
MGS4 creator wants to develop on 360
In a recent interview with GamePro, Metal Gear Solid creator, Hideo Kojima, intimated that he wants to develop for the Xbox 360. When asked about the possibility of developing for the Xbox 360, Kojima states that he is interested in the idea, and notes that the 360 is selling very well in areas outside of Japan (in other words, 360=Money). Kojima also says that he's a fan of Gears of War (wonder what his Gamertag is ... BigBoss69 maybe?). Adding fuel to the undying rumor-fire that is Metal Gear Sold 4 on the 360, Kojima uses interesting wording regarding the game, "MGS4 is only for the PS3 so far."Did you see that? "So far." In PR terms, that leaves many windows open for Metal Gear Solid 4 to appear on other platforms. Granted, it's not an assurance that it will happen, but as hungry fanboys, we'll take what we can get.[Via Joystiq]
Kojima hopes to develop for everything, ever
In a recent Gamepro interview, Hideo Kojima makes it clear that his aspirations involve more than just the Playstation 3. The Metal Gear designer notes that he eventually wants to develop for the Wii, the Xbox 360 (he's a fan of Gears of War, you know) and the "world-wide platform" that is the PC. "I want to do it. But our staff, especially the younger ones, don't so much like to work on the PC. If it was PC, we don't have to go into some crappy things with the first parties."Going by Kojima's earlier steak dinner and movie analogies, we suppose he can now be interpreted as a rabid film critic wandering about town, randomly bursting into houses and demanding delicious steaks. Of course, PC gaming needs to fit in there somewhere -- is it like leveling up your own livestock, shortly before slaughtering it and eating it alone?Read the interview and make your own conclusions. Watch out for Kojima stating that "MGS4 is actually for the PS3 only so far."[Thanks to everyone who sent this in.]
Rumor: Konami cancels PS3 Gradius, several others [update 1]
If the latest issue of Japan's Famitsu magazine is to be believed, Konami has quietly cancelled several of their upcoming PS3 and Wii projects. IGN reports that an updated release list for the company has been shortened by no less than six games, one of which was a Playstation 3 version of side-scrolling shooter, Gradius. Of course, since mere absence doesn't confirm outright cancellation, it would be best to treat this as a rumor for now. One potential explanation is that Konami has now made enough progress on some of these titles (if they were even in development to begin with) to warrant less ambiguous descriptors. If "New Action Game" turned into Castlevania: Polka of Purgatory, the publisher would likely choose a grander announcement than simply having it pop up on a standard release list.The removed titles are as follows: Gradius Series (PS3) Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball (PS3) New Action Game (PS3) New Role Playing Game (PS3) New Action Adventure Game 2 (Wii) Role Playing Game (Wii) Games still appearing on the release list include two sports titles, a music game and an "action adventure" for the Wii. Pro Baseball Spirits, Winning Eleven and Metal Gear Solid 4 are also still slated for the PS3.[Update: This rumor is bogus.]
Konami: "MGS4 is exclusive to PlayStation 3." Us: "!"
Well, what did you think they were going to say? Just days after the Metal Gear Solid 4 is coming to Xbox 360 rumorang swooshed back for yet another appearance in the console exclusivity spotlight, series publisher Konami reached its giant metaphorical arm out a similarly metaphorical window and snatched it from the air. Then they stomped it dead. Again.Konami told CVG that "MGS4 is exclusive to PlayStation 3." Of course, this is similar (but not identical) to their statement to Joystiq last time we danced to this number, that "Metal Gear 4 is a PS3 title." Of course, we've seen other highly anticipated third-party titles go through a similar exclusivity Bermuda triangle, their exact whereabouts unknown for some time. We can't imagine what sort of high-powered, backroom negotiations would result in a third-party game as popular as MGS4 being relegated to a single new-gen platform, not to mention one that may be in short supply until as late as 2008 (according to some).!
360 Metal Gear Solid 4 solidly denied
The rumor that Metal Gear Solid 4: Sons of the Patriots would appear on the Xbox 360 has now been officially denied by Konami. A Konami rep told CVG, "Konami has no plans to bring Metal Gear Solid 4 to the Xbox 360 at this time," and further stated that the game remains "exclusive to Playstation 3." For now, at least, it looks like the rumor is debunked. Still, it wouldn't surprise us to see the game eventually. Also, the editor of the website that broke the story (Noooz) was very confident with his source. As he stated to our Joystiq mother ship, "I rarely run with anything unless I'm 100% confident. I rarely break news stories as you can see." As we stated before, he is a member of the game industry, giving this rumor more traction than most. With so many 360s around the world already -- many in places that Sony hasn't launched -- it will become increasingly hard for publishers not to make games for it. The game industry is all about numbers and MS is creating customers in regions that have never even had console launches before. Publishers can't ignore that, especially in the age of skyrocketing development costs. Will MGS4 hit the 360? We're betting yes, but not until it has at least a few months to move some Playstation 3 units. [Via Evil Avatar]
Crazy rumor of the day: MGS4 on 360
We've had our share of wacky (half true) rumors recently, and today's rumor is a dandy. Titled as an "exclusive" news story, a blog by the name of NOOOZ is claiming that MGS4 is coming to Xbox 360 according to "a dev source close to the team who cannot be named by pain of death." The game would arrive on 360 a few months after the PS3 release. The rumor obviously smells fishy, but a look at the blog's "About us" page gives it some validity, as the site's owner is revealed to be a former Sony producer himself (he's a consultant to publishers and developers now). The reason for the move also makes sense: publishers -- Konami included -- are worried that there just won't be enough Playstations on the market by the time their game ships. Without a large install base -- something the 360 already has -- a game just can't make much money. Sure this is a juicy rumor -- Kojima has even confirmed that it's technically possible -- but right now that's all it is. There are a couple of things that stand in the way of this being true. One, Konami would have to have been developing these titles side-by-side from the beginning. Given their wildly different architectures, we imagine porting PS3 games to 360 is no easy task. Second, this has bee trumpeted as a PS3 exclusive from day one, so much so that the first trailer is basically an ad for the PS3. Still, developers are out there to make money, and this rumor is perfectly plausible if Konami feels that the PS3 won't have the numbers in time. For now, take it with a cubic foot of salt.[Thanks, Mat Parker]
MGS Portable Ops: the testing ground for MGS4
Kojima fans were shocked to find that Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops not only successfully emulates the console MGS experience on the handheld, but brings new things to the table. The folks of High Dynamic Range Lying detail how MGS:PO may actually be testing new ideas for MGS4, heading to the PS3. The new recruitment system, where Snake must capture enemies and convert them into allies might be a crucial aspect of the next-gen sequel:"In MGS4, there's no telling if Solid Snake himself will try to form his own fighting force. Otacon is heard in the E3 trailer, saying that Snake cannot do it alone, adding that he never had a chance. Could this be the catalyst that forces Snake to create a team capable of taking down the patriots, and stopping Liquid Ocelot? With MGS4 still in development for another year, the story of an old Snake single handedly silencing an entire army of mechs and soldiers seeming ridiculous, and little to none of the new allegiance system revealed, it seems more than likely that MPO may be more than a Snake Eater sequel."Sounds reasonable to me. For those of you that remember the original trailers for the game, there's "no place to hide" for Snake. With his body aging, and massive armored mechs walking around everywhere, Snake's going to need a lot of help.[Via digg]
Rumor: Metal Gear Solid 4 not a PS3 exclusive? [update 1]
The new confirmed EGM cover with Halo 3 info is nice, but it's a little blurb in the top right that's caught the attention of gamers: Metal Gear Solid 4 on Xbox 360? Drama ensues.Sister site Xbox 360 Fanboy and Xboxic have been following the story. Turns out that Che Chou, who is identified as an ex-1UP staffer says, "It's simply a rumor that Konami higher-ups are pressuring Kojima Productions to consider making MGS4 a multiplatform game because production costs on the game are unsurprisingly high and only getting higher ... Whatever the case, I highly doubt it's going to happen so quit building yourself a disappointing kiloton bomb." We've contacted Konami's PR department and they said, "Metal Gear 4 [sic] is a PS3 title." Doesn't seem like EGM made a deal to get some exclusive info, but instead took a rumor, slapped a question mark on it, and hoped to build hype and sell magazines. Hey, we don't fault them, check out our headline above! Maybe the info is worth the price of the magazine? The rest of the cover info is snore inducing and has already been covered to death. The Halo 3 info was already leaked, but EGM says no, no, wait -- we have more info not leaked, please buy us. It's a brave new world and the ball is certainly in the publisher's court. Konami very well may be having cocktails with Ubisoft (Assassin's Creed) and getting whispers that exclusivity isn't as important as making money. Now we'll go back to building our kiloton bomb.[Update: Added Konami PR quote]
MGS4 on the Xbox 360? [Updated]
Most of us were so busy gabbing about the Halo 3 cover story in the December issue of EGM, we failed to notice the "Metal Gear Solid 4 on Xbox 360?" headline in the upper right corner. Any subscribers care to elaborate?[Update]Che Chou, a former 1up staffer now working on Forza 2 for MS posted this response in the NeoGaf forums (Via Xboxic):It's simply a rumor that Konami higher-ups are pressuring Kojima Productions to consider making MGS4 a multiplatform game because production costs on the game are unsurprisingly high and only getting higher. With PS3 install base numbers not looking all that rosy due to console cost and manufacturing problems, Konami is scared they can't recoup their investment on only 1 platform alone. It's also a nice way to maybe blackmail Sony into giving Konami an incentive to keeping the game a PS3 exclusive, imo. Whatever the case, I highly doubt it's going to happen so quit building yourself a disappointing kiloton bomb. Either way, it's fun to see the PS3 fanboys sweat over losing their most prized exclusive.[Thanks Luke]
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]
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!
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?
