Rumor: Metal Gear Solid 4 not a PS3 exclusive? [update 1]

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 29th 2006 at 6:30PM }

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]

Tags: EGM, MGS4, PS3, Xbox 360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Daeyeth @ Oct 29th 2006 6:40PM

C'mon now, why you dissing EGM? EGM is one of the few, last few gaming mags that actually have decent content (GH2 demo comes to mind). Give them some cred...

...I'd like to see Joystiq publish a magazine (no, really)

Crimemaster Gogo @ Oct 29th 2006 6:41PM

First post b*tches!! Hopefully MGS will come out on the XBOX 360 (the console that titles itself in saying that it goes in circles). Then i might just buy it coz i aint paying �500. Maybe il wait for the Wii version...what i cant be hopefull!!

stranger @ Oct 29th 2006 6:44PM

hah, it seems that game designers are having second thoughts about the ps3. eventually, final fantasy xiii and versus xiii,virtual fighter and many more will not be a ps3 exclusive too.
360 and wii RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!

shase @ Oct 29th 2006 6:52PM

Is it me or Gaming magazines are following the route of those "celebrity magazines"? Like Variety, People, Star... they always put some false crap on their headlines to increase sales... probably samething here...
Maybe next month's EGM rumor will be- "HALO3 for PS3???" and in a one word sentence on page 45 "NO". that headline will sure increase sales

Xfart @ Oct 29th 2006 6:54PM

Hold the phone hasn't Kojima already stated that the MGS4 will not be able to fit onto a DVD-9 rom? Also its not surprising that a mag like EGM or PSM for that matter always puts headlines similar to this one just to grab buyer attention???Every month there's always a 360 EXCLUSIVE or BREAKING NEWS PS3 RELEASING MYSTERIOUS GAME!!I'm sure this is rumor started from a high up editor....p.s with websites like Joystiq who the hell needs Mags anyway???

Will @ Oct 29th 2006 6:55PM

I thought I heard about this a little while ago, and that it was photoshopped on.

bearattack79 @ Oct 29th 2006 6:55PM

I dont want it, PS3 can keep it!

lordroba @ Oct 29th 2006 7:00PM

Here's some advice. If it's not it Famitsu, it not happening.

Kyouryuu @ Oct 29th 2006 7:11PM

If there is money to be made, MGS4 or some variant will show up on the Xbox 360. It makes perfect economic sense. Capcom touted Resident Evil as being a GameCube exclusive for a while. But given the enormous amount of money that could be raised from porting Resident Evil 4 to the PS2, it's impossible to resist.

iceatcs @ Oct 29th 2006 7:20PM

If it is true, it still won't work for japan anyway.

Maybe xbox360 and PS3 should able allow to play online together, maybe PC too. It will be cool.

Rabish12 @ Oct 29th 2006 7:21PM

I don't see why anyone would doubt this that much. I don't think it'll be ported immediately, but multiplatform development is becoming increasingly popular now and the Metal Gear series hasn't exactly been completely exclusive in the past (MGS3 and the Ac!d games are the only ones that haven't been ported).

They probably aren't going to have it on the 360 for a while, but a port isn't out of the realm of possibility. It's the last game in the series, after all, and they'd have to be stupid not to try and cash in on that as much as possible.

B33 @ Oct 29th 2006 7:24PM

Kojima already said that he has no plans on putting MGS 4 on the 360.

Lefty @ Oct 29th 2006 7:25PM

iceatcs

thats called live anywhere. starting in jan almost any agme amde for both xbox 360 and vista will be cross platform playable. as well as msn users will be able to chat(voice or text) with xbox 360 users.

shadowrun is the first live anywherfe game and it should be out in jan 2007

ZeroCorpse @ Oct 29th 2006 7:25PM

Yeah. Because the last two installments were sooooo good.

(I am being sarcastic. PS3 can HAVE this series.)

Brian @ Oct 29th 2006 7:25PM

It is never coming out on the 360.That is like halo 3 coming out on the playstation 3 LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Angelo @ Oct 29th 2006 7:26PM

The only reason I am holding back from getting a 360 is because of MGS4. I love the MGS franchise and so I have been torn about which system will be my secondary (Wii being the first system I buy). 360 has been coming out with exclusives and such and I have been really tempted. If MGS4 goes to 360, I will have no problem leaving the PS3 in the dust. I have a PS2 and no Xbox, so I have nothing against Sony (except maybe the price of the PS3). We'll see what happens.

u people.. -.- @ Oct 29th 2006 7:28PM

are you serious???
i cant believe people are STILL falling for the same CRAP over and over and over and over again!!!
if the HEAD of the COMPANY THAT IS PRODUCING THE GAME says it will PS3 ONLY then it will be PS3 ONLY!!
damn... it makes me mad how people can be fooled so easily...

iceatcs @ Oct 29th 2006 7:30PM

Lefty

if it will be free for PC. I would use it cos it will kill 360 because it would be too hard for 360 users. Mouse is much faster aiming than controller aiming.

nick @ Oct 29th 2006 7:36PM

The makers of MGS4 already said it could be ported the Xbox 360 almost a year ago, and the higher ups are asking for it, what else do you need?

It just makes good business sense to release on as many platforms as possible. Why limit youself? Now if Sony is paying for an exclusive, that's a whole different animal. But if they're not, and the PS3 base is going to have a limited installed based (at least initially), then why not?

AG @ Oct 29th 2006 7:41PM

People, get a clue.

The developer of MGS4 has already stated it will be PS3 only!

splash @ Oct 29th 2006 7:44PM

I remember when they said GTA Vice City was PS2 only.

mcgoo @ Oct 29th 2006 7:48PM

it makes business sense to port it to the 360. unless sony pays u a boat load to keep it on the ps3. mgs4 is a ps3 killer app right now.

and at no. 2, i lol at you.

boo @ Oct 29th 2006 7:49PM

This is NOTHING like halo3 coming to ps3. Halo is made by bungie, owned by Microsoft. MGS is made by a third party studio NOT OWNED by sony. See the difference?

And "the developer said it's exclusive therefore it is" means nothing. The suits make those decisions, not developers, and if MGS would increase profits by porting to the 360, then they'll do it. Remember when assasin's creed was a ps3 exclusive? Time and money change all landscapes, grasshopper.

Max @ Oct 29th 2006 7:50PM

Here's hoping.

I generally ignore rumors, as I've been disappointed so many times. This one, though, I can't help but fall for. I really hope it's true. That's the only thing I'd lament losing as a result of my dissent from the Sony brand this generation.

Revo @ Oct 29th 2006 8:01PM

"if the HEAD of the COMPANY THAT IS PRODUCING THE GAME says it will PS3 ONLY then it will be PS3 ONLY!
damn... it makes me mad how people can be fooled so easily..."

Shinji Mikami, the director for Resident Evil 4, literally said he would cut off his own head before he would allow the game to be ported from the Gamecube to another platform. You're the one being fooled if you believe you can always take the words of people in charge as indisputable fact.

get over it @ Oct 29th 2006 8:08PM

my snoopy snow cone maker is obviously better than your easy bake oven because ice is exclusive!!!!

it's a toy...
you play games on it.

someone please explain to me why it makes any difference.
seriously, i want to know at what level in your life does it make any difference what games are available on the different machines.

Rabish12 @ Oct 29th 2006 8:14PM

Couple of things to clear up here:

1) Kojima has never said that he wouldn't port the game. He's said that he currently has no plans to port the game. They didn't have any plans initially to port MGS2 as far as I know, and that still got ported in the end. I could easily see the same thing happening here.

2) Kojima isn't at the top of the chain in Konami. It doesn't really matter what he wants, because if Konami decides that they really do want a port there will be one. They call the shots.

Drop A Load @ Oct 29th 2006 8:24PM

@ 14

and Shinji Mikami said Resident Evil 4 was exclusive
to the Gamecube .

I don't care what any creator says It's up to the company.

Jeremy @ Oct 29th 2006 8:26PM

Che Chou from the Forza team said something like this:

Development costs for MGS4 are pretty high and Konami is "pressuring" Kojima and his team to bring it to another platform so they can make more money. The reason why I put quotes around pressuring is because Che says that Konami knows MGS4 is a big asset to Sony and Konami wants Sony to give them more incentive ($$$) to keep it a PS exclusive

ELUNO @ Oct 29th 2006 8:28PM

I remember how they used to say that RE4 was an exclusive for GC....

tkodarkside @ Oct 29th 2006 8:31PM

Believe you me, if Oblivion can be coded to fit on a DVD-9, MGS4 will definitely fit as well.

It's always been said that it is very expensive to develope for the ps3. If it is true that this will be ported to other platforms, I can completely understand. It's all about making more money these days.

First Assassin's Creed........now MGS4!!! (If it's true).

Go Wii60!!!!!!!!

John Lucas @ Oct 29th 2006 8:33PM

Hmhmhmhmhmhm.

I made a prediction in a forum (unworthy forum) a month or so ago that it will end up that Metal Gear Solid 4 will NEVER see the light of day on the Playstation 3.

"Metal Gear Solid Will NOT Go To The Playstation 3"
http://www.n-philes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29797

Needless to say everyone laughed off my vision even adding the words "In my crazy opinion" to the subject line. But I know I will be proven right.

The PS3 is on a fast track to failure. This Lik-Sang thing has pissed off some hardcore gamers. That might have been the final death knell for their European support. The price is already gonna scare of the less-hardcore or casuals.

If the system doesn't move off those shelves, do you REALLY think that these guys will let their long hard work go down with the ship? A masterpiece like MGS4????

Let's rejoin reality. 3rd party is loyal to whatever system has a viable selling base because they need to make the most sales to make money. Sony & the 3rd parties built each other to greatness. It was 3rd party rebelling against Nintendo (& Sega somewhat) 10 years ago that made Sony their showcase. They used Sony to make their games the top of the line & eke out themselves some control. Sony needing to sell provided the platform.

It's the most shaky foundation you can build on. The 3rd party will begin to leave the PS3 in exodus similar to what happened with the N64. ONLY DIFFERENCE is that Sony's 1st party won't keep them afloat like the N's did.

MGS4 will NOT go to the PS3 when it's all said & done.
That's a promise. Don't be surprised when it finally happens.

John Lucas

David @ Oct 29th 2006 8:45PM

I so hope it goes the the Xbox 360, that would be another nail in the Shity Sony coffin.

JPRacer @ Oct 29th 2006 8:49PM

The exclusive of Splinter Cell 5: Conviction is much more important. If MGS comes to 360 good, but from what I've seen so far it's just like the others and I can't see what's interesting here, I'll pass thank you.

Arachneya @ Oct 29th 2006 8:51PM

@#6 Xfart:

You mean with websites whose entire business model is stealing/linking to other people's news/exclusives/interviews, mags and online news sites (IGN, 1up, TXB, etc) should simply go the way of the dinosaur?

Great idea. Why don't you get rid of CNN, and your local news channels and get your news online? Make sure to file "journalism" as an extinct career path and blogs as the new hotness. Because they'll mysteriously have news to report even with no news to steal/link to.

Justin @ Oct 29th 2006 8:54PM

Re #34:

It'd be insane it WON'T go to the PS3. I'll bet that there is substantial efforts already put into making a PS3 title. Ditching all that work, and potential PS3 sales of the software, seems to be a real money loser.

Porting to 360 could be a good idea for them if they think that the amount they sell for 360 matches or exceeds the amount of money Sony is willing to shell out to keep it exclusive.

chimp o death @ Oct 29th 2006 8:56PM

I subscribe to the theory that (unless everyone stops buying 360s completely) a best case scenario would have PS3 catching up to and maybe overtaking the 360 by early 2008. Remember this is a Sony best case scenario. Maybe something like this:

2006- 360:10m/PS3:1.5m
2007- 360:17m/PS3:15m
2008- 360:24m/PS3:30m

I'm pulling these numbers out of my ass, but I'm trying to illustrate that even if Sony trounces Microsoft in sales, they won't begin to amass a next-gen majority until sometime in 2008. Which means up untill that point 360 owners will account for at least 50% of the market. And even after Sony pulls ahead, Microsoft would still enjoy a greater percentage of the installed base than last gen. That means that if the game launches sometime in early 2008, Konami would be ignoring potentially 50% of the total market. Remember that I'm putting hypothetical numbers in that favor SONY. Some people put Sony catching up only by 2010. Whatever the eventual truth of the matter, the percentage of lost sales by not porting to PS3 will be MUCH greater than when Konami DID decide to port MSG2.

Can the game be ported, purely as a technical issue? Maybe. Kojima has said as much himself, but I will grant the naysayers the possibility that the game may not be quite as good (sort of like Splinter Cell Xbox/PS2). But I think that even the most credulous gamer would admit that SOME version of the game could be ported to the 360, at least as purely hardware issue.

Now, do I personally think it'll happen? I put the odds at 30%-40%.Unlike Assassin's Creed, this is a game that has real value to Sony, especially in Japan. Can Sony put enough incentives on the table to make up for those lost 360 sales? I'm sure they'd try. Counter that, though, with what Microsoft may put on the table in addition to all of those potential sales.

The only thing for certain is that this game is going to be great. As a current 360 owner, I hope I see it ported, as it will be one of the few reasons left for me to consider a PS3 purchase in the future.

Will @ Oct 29th 2006 8:56PM

I remember when they said Resident Evil 4 would be a Gamecube exclusive.

It makes sense, the PS3 wont have as many units as the 360 when MGS4 comes out, Konami wants to make the most money, Multiplatform would do that.

Revo @ Oct 29th 2006 9:09PM

From John Lucas' linked forum prediction:
"[I believe] Hideo Kojima will shockingly & suddenly uproot his masterpiece from the PS3 & either go to the XBox 360 or the Wii or BOTH."

While I think it's quite possible it could go to the 360, I very much doubt it would end up on the Wii. And I don't see the need for Konami to scrap the PS3 version altogether, even if the console fares poorly.

If I had to take a wild guess, I'd say there's a 70% chance of PS3 exclusivity, 25% chance of it hitting PS3 and 360, and 5% chance of it ending up on some other combination of consoles.

bubbasawyer @ Oct 29th 2006 9:13PM

Don't you know that you can say anything if you add a question mark?

jerry @ Oct 29th 2006 9:19PM

guys, stop acting like MGS4 would be a deal breaker, because you know it, and I know it, the PS3 will have A LOT more to offer than just MGS4.

If it does go multiplatform, big deal... wouldn't be the first time. What would REALLY be news is if it was launched simultaneously for both systems.. but that's just not going to happen.

and to the guy who said that the game won't even make it to the PS3... LOL.

shirizaki @ Oct 29th 2006 9:25PM

While it may or not be true, I do remember MGS: Substance being released on Xbox before PS2. While Konami quickly released it for PS2 afterwards with additional content, the fact that, for a time, MGS was an exclusive on the Xbox platform is a significant sign that the MGS series, in some form, may show up on the 360.

There may have been talks about dual console releases. I don't know what goes on behind closed doors. THANKS KOJIMA FOR NOT SENDING ME MY DAMN NINJA SUIT!!!!

pirahna1 @ Oct 29th 2006 9:25PM

Well seeing as how MGS2 and 3 were both suppost to be PS2 exclusive, and MGS1 was ported to the cube, I highly doubt MGS4 will be PS3 exclusive.

Just my thoughts.

ViEt PrIdE @ Oct 29th 2006 9:29PM

This will never happen, Kojima-san owes way too much to Sony to stab them in the back like this, his honour would be tarnished forever and the Japanese care deeply about their honour.

Besides, who would want to play a stripped down MGS with only 3/8 of the detail/enemies on screen, running only in 720p, with downgraded sound and having to switch discs every few minutes... not to mention being nickel and dimed to death with microtransactions for 'extra' content? Thats like hoping a 4:3 pan/scan version of a masterpiece like Blade Runner or Lawrence of Arabia comes out.. lol.

Nah... MGS4 will be a PS3 exclusive masterpiece, and frankly anyone who wants to see Kojima-san's masterpiece as he intended, would want it to stay that way...

Eggman @ Oct 29th 2006 9:30PM

It's just a rumor, the question mark at the end basically ends that debate. Anyway, I highly HIGHLY doubt this game could come to the 360 for atleast another 2 years or so after the ps3 release. I'm a big fan of the series and as much as i'd like for it to come to the 360 (own a 360 and have no current plans on buying a ps3), I don't think sony will let this one go too easily. The ps3 needs this exclusive so bad it could break the console wars, even sony in their drunken "we don't no stinkin' exclusives" state have to realise this.

Scutpuppy @ Oct 29th 2006 9:34PM

get over it (#28),

"someone please explain to me why it makes any difference. seriously, i want to know at what level in your life does it make any difference what games are available on the different machines."

Well if you're a fan of a game that's on another system, stuff like this can save you hundreds of dollars. Saving $600 matters to a lot of people.