Producer: Metal Gear Solid 4 must sell a million copies day one

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 29th 2007 at 1:25PM }

Metal Gear Solid 4 is turning into a third-party anomaly on the PS3. For Sony's sake it continues to be an officially non-timed PS3 exclusive even when others have left for greener pastures, but on the other hand its production costs are extreme for publisher Konami, and the big question is: How are they going to make that money back? Ryan Payton, assistant producer for MGS4, told Reuters that the game needs to sell one million units on its first day due to its production costs. We don't know if Payton is expecting a global launch, but just for a point of reference, in the US that would require 50% of PS3 owners to buy the game on the first day.

One million units on day one is a Reed Richards stretch; we're certainly curious to know how Konami is going to justify the exclusivity of MGS4 financially. If an efficiently produced game like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune cost $20 million, we can only wonder what a game with the production levels of MGS4 cost. There's a much deeper story here about the cost of MGS4 and Konami, but those answers probably won't shake out until long after MGS4 releases.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Tags: exclusive, konami, metal-gear-solid, metalgearsolid, mgs4, ps3

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 29th 2007 1:30PM

OMGJOYSTIQ IS TOBIAS!

This game is going multiplatform. Its painfully obvious to everyone except Sony Fanboys and Kojima.

copa @ Nov 29th 2007 1:33PM

Nah, I'm sure that Konomi would rather take a financial loss on their largest project ever rather than release it as a double-DVD on the XBox 360.

Their shareholders would be cool with that.

Trev @ Nov 29th 2007 1:34PM

Fail.

In the same article Payton says that the only way to play MGS4 is to have a PS3.

copa @ Nov 29th 2007 1:35PM

BTW, anyone have the achievement list yet?

arrrgh @ Nov 29th 2007 1:44PM

yeah good call, because payton is going to say "ok there might be a chance of playing it on 360" and scare away the people who were thinking of getting a ps3 rather than 360 for this game

upz @ Nov 29th 2007 1:46PM

Crono is right. Just like that time he predicted Soul Calibur Legends was going to be great!

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 29th 2007 1:50PM

I never predicted that!

I just said that it wouldn't necessarily suck out the bat. And I've still never played it, though reviews aren't good.

rv @ Nov 29th 2007 1:55PM

"Their shareholders would be cool with that."
Their shareholders don't give a fuck about double disks or exclusivity. They only care about money( or at least they should).

rv @ Nov 29th 2007 1:56PM

Lol didn't detect the sarcasm until now. Disregard :(

Trev @ Nov 29th 2007 1:57PM

arrrgh, Konami makes money on games, not from PS3 sales, so there wouldn't be much point in that. If it were going to 360 they'd say so to get the word out and the hype going.

Preemptively, if Sony were going to pay them to keep it a 360 version secret, they would probably just pay them not to make it at all.

FrankTheCrank @ Nov 29th 2007 1:59PM

Are you guys kidding? They'll sell a million copies day one in Japan...

the US though...if the reviews come in and it get's 360 like ratings, it will sell very well, and Sony will sell consoles as well.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 29th 2007 2:12PM

@frank.

No it won't. If Mario couldn't sell a million copies in one day, do you really think MGS is going to?

SeNiLe911 @ Nov 29th 2007 2:13PM

Not sure what the big deal is about this game but once I saw the video of Snake taking out a barrel from his back pocket and rolling down the street taking out two guys, I knew it wasn't for me. Dream on one mill in one day!

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 29th 2007 2:17PM

Frank: The Japanese audience have been complaining that MGS has become too "westernized". This isn't going to sell very well to the Japanese.

sinergy @ Nov 29th 2007 2:23PM

It seems to me MGS is pointed more at the western audience. Didn't I read somewhere that Kojima actually prefers the English voice cast as well?

Anyway, if there was a reason for me to buy more than one copy of MGS4 on launch I would probably do it :p

Rususeruru @ Nov 29th 2007 2:24PM

I'm hoping on the bandwagon.
Frank! RABBLE RABBLE!
time will only tell after all who thought MGS2 was going to release for the Xbox, it did poorly thus no MGS3 on the DXbox, the game has changed some since then though.

FrankTheCrank @ Nov 29th 2007 2:24PM

Guys...thanks for the schooling.

Apparently, nobody really gives a shit about MGS4, especially Japan.

Nobody gives a shit about MGS4? That's hard to believe. People will buy the PS3, just to play this game. Am I wrongz?

Noshino @ Nov 29th 2007 2:29PM

damn Crono,I thought the "NDF" on your title was just for the looks, apparently it does affect you.

"The Japanese audience have been complaining that MGS has become too "westernized". This isn't going to sell very well to the Japanese."

You do know that they are releasing different controls to please both Western and Japanese gamers... they are trying their most to please everyone and offering multiple options.

If there is a franchise that has "Made in Japan" written all over it is this one, one of the main characteristics is the cinematics, deep storyline, Raiden (seriously, he is your typical anime character...)

So Crono, please, THINK before posting something, it does make you look bad...

oh, and for the record, I will buy MGS4, hey, I need to Finish the Fight, lol

Fernando Rocker @ Nov 29th 2007 2:32PM

Metal Gear Solid 3, for the PS2, with an install base of 100 millions sold only like 3 millions... how they expect to sell 1 million in 1 day with a the lowest install base of all current systems?

Even Nintendo is selling a lot more software than Sony.

Blast Processing Megadrive @ Nov 29th 2007 2:34PM

Frank, who the hell said that noone cared about MGS?

Crono just said that Japanese fans feel the series is become more Western-oriented. Thus, it may not be as appealing to them.

Of course there are going to be fans in Japan who still buy it (Hell, even Halo 3 was the #1 selling on its debut week in Japan!), but how well it will sell is the big question.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 29th 2007 2:39PM

@Frank

Your right, people do give a crap about MGS4. That is, only sony fanboys do. Do you really think the average gamer gives a shit about MGS? If they saw a poster of the game at their local gamestore do you think they'll be like, "OH MAN, I SO NEED THAT PSTRIPLE!!!!" No! They're just going to walk right past it and buy Madded or some fps.

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Nov 29th 2007 2:46PM

"Do you really think the average gamer gives a shit about MGS?"

Gaging by the triumphant squeals of joy whenever there is a multiplatform rumor...I'd say there is a fair amount of interest.

Maybe not a 1mil/day interest, but just a "little" more than you assert. Don't bend reality just to take a stab at your fanboy opposite.

Vidikron (FU) @ Nov 29th 2007 2:48PM

@Vegeta

Oh come on, it's not just Sony fanboys that care about the game. That's just a stupid statement. If this is ever confirmed as multiplatform you can bet that "magicailly" a lot more people will suddenly care. As to the topic, no way this will sell 1 million on day one, but I just had to address your statement because of the obvious fallacy.

Slaziman @ Nov 29th 2007 2:49PM

Not "sony fanboys" Vegeta, I care about the game, but not enough to get me a PSTRIPLE. The kind of people that reads Joystiq obviously cares for the most part, it's a high-profile game after all.

sinergy @ Nov 29th 2007 2:50PM

Jesus mother of christ Vegeta. "WOULD YOU KINDLY" go away (oh how I wish that actually worked IRL). Do you really need to repeat the same shit 3x over in the same fucking thread? We get the point, you don't like MGS. FUCK OFF.

FrankTheCrank @ Nov 29th 2007 2:53PM

Vegeta, it's cool man, I don't own Sony stock and could give a rats ass if MGS4 sells two copies. Calm down. Rabbid fanboyism must be abolished.

"Your right, people do give a crap about MGS4. That is, only sony fanboys do. Do you really think the average gamer gives a shit about MGS?"

I think your wrong here. I think the entire gaming community cares about MGS4, like they care about a Halo or Mario. It's one of those games that transcends the consoles.

Time will tell. It will be fun to watch.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 29th 2007 2:59PM

awwww did I upset the little baby?

Please go cry me a river.

Anyways, what I'm saying is true. It has nothing to do with me liking the series or not. Outside of the fanbase, no one really gives a crap about the series. Do you think that mainstream gamers (the target audience for sony, microsoft, and nintendo) really want to finish the fight with Solid snake? No. They'd rather be playing CoD4 or Halo. MGS4 lacks that certain thing that games like GTA, Mario, and Halo have.

Vidikron (FU) @ Nov 29th 2007 3:05PM

@Vegeta

Backpedal as you want, but this statement:

"That is, only sony fanboys do."

is clearly wrong.

sinergy @ Nov 29th 2007 3:06PM

Oh yes Vegeta, we're going to take the word of someone who obviously seems to be a DBZ fan. 'cause we all know how un-lacking DBZ is. Before you start bashing one of the greatest series of all the time at least stop, think and make sure you make valid points or you end up looking like an idiot.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 29th 2007 3:13PM

ummm what?

What does me liking DBZ have anything to do with my intelligence? Fucking weak man. I like it, you don't. Big fucking deal. It's called we have different tastes. Deal with it.

FrankTheCrank @ Nov 29th 2007 3:14PM

"MGS4 lacks that certain thing that games like GTA, Mario, and Halo have."

Wow, dude...now I know your nuts. MGS, in general, has a cult status that allot of videogame company CEO's would lob off their right arms for. It's money in the bank. And, historically speaking, has been one of the most well regarded and best reviewed games in gaming history.

Vegeta, dude..you need to check yo self. Respect!

Fernando Rocker @ Nov 29th 2007 3:20PM

Vegeta is right... no one is saying that its not a good game. Yes, it will a good game, a premium title.

But it does not have mass appeal. Sorry, but its the true... only real Metal Gear Solids fans are going to buy this game. Not the average people. And believe... there are more MGS fans in the 360 side.

PS3 owners are not buying games... you guys keep saying that Wii doesnt sell games... well... Wii is selling a lot more games that the PS3.

Sorry, but is the true. And the true hurts.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 29th 2007 3:24PM

Yes fine, but that means fucking nothing. Yeah it has a cult status, yeah it's been giving praise. But it's really only within a small community of gamers that know all things about gaming, like us. But the sad truth is that we're not the majority anymore, the majority of gamers are the people who buy 360s to play Halo, or bought ps2s to play GTA. Those are the people that are being targeted to, not us. And as I keep saying, MGS lacks the marketability of a Halo or Mario game. I mean you can just post a poster of Master Chief, and you have jocks soiling themselves in joy. You can play the mario themesong in any area, and you'll have at least a couple of people humming along to the tunes. That's how recognizable those franchises are. Do that to Metal Gear Solid, and most likely people won't even know what the fuck you're talking about.

Look I'm not saying the game is bad, and in fact it probably will be good. What I am saying is that MGS lacks that certain something that GTA, Mario, and Halo has that makes it instantly recognizable to almost everyone. And it's part of the reason why I don't believe that the game will sell a million copies in one day.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 29th 2007 3:27PM

Ok and fine.

I change my original statement from sony fanboys, to MGS fanbase since there are fans who also own 360 and wiis.

sinergy @ Nov 29th 2007 3:28PM

"ummm what?

What does me liking DBZ have anything to do with my intelligence? Fucking weak man. I like it, you don't. Big fucking deal. It's called we have different tastes. Deal with it."

It's not weak. It tells me you have no taste which pretty much invalidates everything you said.

I can deal with you not liking MGS, but not when you go around this thread stating that fact over and over. Not to mention comparing it games like Halo, Mario and COD. Which are totally different genres.

FOXHOUND @ Nov 29th 2007 3:50PM

"And now... a word from JOYSTIQ's most die-hard MGS fan, 'FOXHOUND'..."

* * *

My fellow gamers, fanboys, fangirls, and those guys with their collars up asking their dorm room cohorts to play MADDEN... An odd email came into my hands today, proclaiming a million units of MGS4 must be sold day one to compensate for production costs and effort. Initially, that sounds highly overwhelming and ill-timed to speak of on Mr. Payton's part, given the uneasy ground that SONY treads upon with the PlayStation3 console and marketing. Add in the consumers still on the fence about not only paying more than the cost of the Nintendo Wii for the PS3 system(of which you can also get your METAL GEAR fix by playing as Solid Snake in SUPER SMASH BROS BRAWL on Wii); but the huge rivalry of BLU-RAY vs HD-DVD is still ongoing with no clear cut majority winner worldwide.

In addition, I'll state yet again for the record that I do indeed favor MGS quite highly in all aspects of media its covered. However, that in itself has its own problem. Unlike "everybody" games like the MARIO series or even HALO... METAL GEAR never really has had the "pick-up-and-play" instant appeal throughout its tenure. Granted, with MGS4, there are options for the user to select to allow them to view tidbits of METAL GEAR history throughout the game if they aren't knowledgeable or up-to-speed with the previous titles. It also does feature multiple gameplay control modes for those who enjoy first or third person tactical warfare. Graphically, it's easily in the top tier of seventh generation gaming in visual appeal... displaying that aformentioned "power of the cell technology" that has been blabbed about by SONY public relations since day one.

So why won't this game sell a million copies?
1) There's no doubt in my mind that this will be rated 'M for Mature'.

2) I don't have nearly enough money to buy that many copies myself.

3) Yes, the earlier generalized statistic of needing 1 in about 3 to 5 of the worldwide PlayStation3 owners to buy a copy would be necessary. Doubtful as it seems.

4) Despite the name recognition and publicity, without any serious television hype(it's still early, mind you); casual gamers will obviously need to be swayed. HALO is a casual gamer game as well as that enjoyed by the hardcore fanboys. MGS... not so much. The game is much more engaging, complex, and story driven(don't believe me? Look at the craziness of MGS2! The torture sequences of MGS3! And MPO's constant rabblerousing of ethics!).

5) It missed the holidays. :(

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 29th 2007 3:54PM

And WTF is wrong with Dragonball Z? Its the anime I (and many others) cut their anime teeth on. Is it the best anime evar? Hell no. But I'll tell you this. Dragonball Z has a bigger following that MGS ever will.

FrankTheCrank @ Nov 29th 2007 4:02PM

Fernando,

Attach rates are about 1.5:1 for PS3, 3:1 for Wii and 6:1 for 360.

The Wii is estimated to sell 17.5 Million systems by Mar08. If I'm not mistaken, that's more than PS3 and 360 combined.

Just amazing for a box that everyone had written off in summer of 07, when Nintendo finally revealed the name.

I'm glad I got mine. It's a fun system. I'm glad I have my PS3 as well. And, as soon as Jasper hits, 360 will be mine, till then, I've got Bioshock and Orange Box for the PC, soon GOW, when it hits $29.99.

Myke @ Nov 29th 2007 4:03PM

People wants this game! If this game does have a simultaneous launch as they want then it will be a success. In ALL reigons. Just because it wont be on 360 doesnt mean it wont be a success! If MGS4 does become multiplatform, it has a better chance on Wii than 360. Wii ,as the PS3, install base is international. People can disregard the PS3 cause it has a smaller install base if they want but it has been outselling the 360 in PAL and the Wii in Japan. The Wii, at least, can cater to gamers outside of their "home country" unlike M$. IMO, it would be a waste of time and $ if Konami put MGS4 on 360 in PAL and JP because the game would MAINLY sale on PS3 (Dynasty Warriors 6). America is not the ONLY gaming territory and once M$ relizes that, they may end up better than the Xbox 1 did. Until then, looks like history may repeat itself. This isnt me talking like a fanboy, I'm just stating my opinion.

PEACE!

JJ Rooster @ Nov 29th 2007 4:13PM

Wow! I just wanted to be a part of the longest "Reply to" thread! Also, MGS is going to 360 (albeit 6 months later) but no publisher can ignore 10 million possible buyers!

Silent Xenocide @ Nov 29th 2007 4:36PM

DBZ is the greatest series of all time. You guys are crazy. And no MGS4 will not sell 1,000,000 in the first day. I doubt it will even sell half that in the first day.

Synner @ Nov 29th 2007 4:47PM

Hey frank,

Didn't you say you were waiting for the falcon, or the 65 nm proc's to hit?

Quit putting it off, buy the 360, and mass effect.

You'll be glad you did.

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Nov 29th 2007 4:56PM

Curse you and your inbox overflowing replied to comment system.

i_hate_mtv @ Nov 29th 2007 5:06PM

I have nothing to say. I just wanted to be in this reply. :P

Jimwack @ Nov 29th 2007 5:10PM

@ sinergy
Wow man, just wow, its one thing to say Vegeta's opinions are wrong,
but its plain jackass ish ignorance/stupidity to just complete
validate all of his opinions are wrong because he likes DBZ. What
next, everyone who likes mario has a mind of a ten year old?

Everyone who plays gta/halo can't go ten seconds without killing
something? Everyone who actually like playing as raiden in MGS2 is
going to turn into a little emo punk? Everyone who didn't like Okami
doesn't know what art is?

Are you saying he has a closed mind because he doesn't agree with
your closed mind?

upz @ Nov 29th 2007 5:23PM

Anyone have a list of recent single-console first day million sellers? It can't be much longer than:
1) Halo
One million for MGS is really reaching. Crisis Core got pretty close in Japan alone (even though it kind of sucks), so if anything FF will be the franchise to hit one mill in one day, not MGS.