Rumorang: MGS4 on Xbox 360, 12-14 months late
by Christopher Grant 
{ Jan 1st 2008 at 10:40AM }
With that caveat out of the way (and stowed safely in a locker somewhere), we'll proceed to relay the rumorang your way: An unnamed Konami rep apparently dropped some knowledge on Xbox Family, whispering that MGS4 would sneak onto the Xbox 360 12 to 14 months after the PS3 version is released (whenever that is). The site also published a lengthy email from Microsoft's John Porcaro basically saying "no comment" which they also suspect may be further proof of the rumor. (Why did he write so much? He's very polite, you know.)
With Konami execs straight up saying that Metal Gear Solid 4 may go to other consoles, and MGS4 producer Ryan Payton saying the game needs to sell a million copies on day one to make the pricey production profitable, it's not like Konami's showing their best poker face either. But that doesn't mean it's not still a rumor which, of course, we don't need to tell you guys.
[Thanks, The Dutch Slayer]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
nxtiak @ Jan 1st 2008 10:45AM
MGS4 and FFXIII are the 2 titles I'm waiting for to get a PS3. So a month or 2 release to 360 I'd wait, but a YEAR? Good Job Sony, I'm buying a PS3.
nealbailey @ Jan 1st 2008 11:32AM
"Good Job Sony, I'm buying a PS3."
That's hilarious, you're going to pay $450 for a copy of MGS4 (and a PS3) instead of waiting 12 months and paying $59.99.
You work in the mortgage industry don't you?
Xskills @ Jan 1st 2008 11:47AM
it'll probably be the director's cut (i.e. integral, substance, subsistence) then GFW may not be too far of as well.
Durandel @ Jan 1st 2008 11:57AM
MGS4 will be a great game, but it won't convince me to buy a PS3. Some who were considering one anyways might finally buy it, but one game just isn't enough for me :P
And to delay the 360 release to a year after the PS3 release? Plenty of people will still buy it, but that's a heck of a lot of money they'll be missing for the 12-14 months its a PS3 "exclusive."
The only possibility: Sony is selling their soul to Konami for a late 360 release.
Jeff @ Jan 1st 2008 6:12PM
Wow. I never even considered getting this on PC. But if it's coming to 360... Games for Windows FTW. or GFWFTW
zidane69 @ Jan 17th 2008 8:58PM
hahah it's worth it to buy a ps3 i mean x-box360 was crap the first year it came out.......besides the only game x box has that ps3 doesen't is halo.....which is really boring anyway ps3 still has the best rpg's and killzone, resistance fall of man. ect.
Triforceowner @ Jan 1st 2008 10:54AM
I say 6-12 months.
KarlW @ Jan 1st 2008 11:22AM
You can't haggle with this. They are saying Konami told them a figure, and you're trying to beat down that figure?
That's if it comes to the 360 at all, which I highly doubt.
Triforceowner @ Jan 1st 2008 1:50PM
"You can't haggle with this."
Dude, it is obviously a rumor. Konami didn't go telling some random site about their plans for MGS4. They lied.
"They are saying Konami told them a figure, and you're trying to beat down that figure?"
"Beat"? WTF? I'm giving my f***ing opinion on the subject.
"That's if it comes to the 360 at all, which I highly doubt."
Only one of three MGS games has not been ported to maximize profits. Why should MGS4 go the less likely route and not be ported?
Raikage (Wii FC 5508 0487 4434 0992) @ Jan 1st 2008 10:55AM
Duh, like it's gonna sell 1 Million on day one...
LaughingTarget @ Jan 1st 2008 12:23PM
And they'll still be losing money on it:
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/29/cost-of-next-gen-game-production-is-a-burden-on-developers/
Given how long MGS4 has been in development and the huge, 200 man development team, they'll probably need to pull 2 million units sold to break even. If that doesn't happen post haste on the PS3, you can bet your house that it will be going to the 360 mighty quick.
Zoesch @ Jan 1st 2008 6:25PM
Because we all know how well the MGS titles sold on the PC and XBox right?
FOXHOUND @ Jan 2nd 2008 7:42AM
Never mind how well they sold -- do you remember how BAD those ports were? x_x;
The disc is a coaster for my drinks here in the office.
Really, it is.
Ethan @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:09AM
They didn't sell because we all had ps2s back then.
Christian @ Jan 1st 2008 10:57AM
Can these rumour stories be any more worthless? Personally I would really love it if Joystiq could refrain from repeating uninteresting crap like this until there actually is a confirmed release date for MGS on the xbox360 or Bioshock on the PS3. Rumour stories like these every two weeks do not provide any interesting information.
aka Prof Chaos @ Jan 1st 2008 11:11AM
Ah, but speculation is what makes it so interesting :)
Christmas NiGHTS @ Jan 1st 2008 10:57AM
That seems about right, if it gets done at all
Considering all the "bonus" versions of previous MGS titles that made their way to rival consoles that could handle them, they would probably move it to the 360 even if the two's positions were reversed, and would move it in that timeline
morganfell @ Jan 1st 2008 11:48AM
MGS3 Subsistence was on the Xbox?
zuburi @ Jan 1st 2008 5:40PM
He made a general, blanket statement which you countered with a specific, isolated case.
OBJECTION!
Worst Review Ever @ Jan 1st 2008 10:58AM
MGS 4 is going to other consoles, just not the 360. We're going to be seeing a puzzle game on the DS called MGS 4: Detonation Sequence, and the Wii will be getting a light-gun port called MGS 4: Snake Shooter.
Max Headroom @ Jan 1st 2008 11:19AM
Haha! Those actually sound pretty fun. +1
hvnlysoldr @ Jan 1st 2008 11:40AM
Snake Shooter could work as a slightly more serious yet light-hearted Ghost Squad.
Ramifications @ Jan 1st 2008 11:06AM
12-14 months! Wo wa wee wa! After that amount of time, most games have a sequel coming out.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jan 1st 2008 11:07AM
why is this still news? we've heard this rumor for months and months now. Is it that slow of a news day? how about reporting on what came out for rock band today, or tell some crazy drunken tales from last night's party
i_hate_mtv @ Jan 1st 2008 11:08AM
Unless Sony pays a fortune to keep it exclusive, I can almost guarantee that it will be on the 360.
Ryan @ Jan 1st 2008 11:11AM
I actually bought a PS3.
Now I feel...Let down.
Then again, I own a Ps3, 360, and a Wii.
So I Can play anything I want.
Still. Ps3 (40gb) and 360 being the same price, The only thing that is the deciding factor now is if you want a next gen disc player built in the PS3 hardware.
comtar @ Jan 1st 2008 11:16AM
I think people are just hoping this Rumorang comes true like the constant whispers of Okami on the Wii... and everyone knows what happened with that.
Even if it does come out on 360, it will be several months, if not years late like Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance. I'm also surprised all the 360 fanboys aren't the slightest bit concerned it will run like crap on the 360 simply because the Kojima team don't know the 360 platform, now before anyone blasts me for that comment. May I remind people the dismal framerates of Metal Gear Solid 2 on X-box...
http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/561507.asp?q=Metal%20Gear%20Solid
All I'm saying is bad ports can go both ways...
pezman726 @ Jan 1st 2008 11:28AM
Maybe they'll hand off Development of the port to one of the teams that made some of the other AMAZING 360 games from konami. Why, who could forget Rumble Roses XX and Bomberman: Act Zero!
XDragon @ Jan 1st 2008 11:17AM
I only see this happening if the PS3 version doesn't sell enough to please Konami.
Snukadaman @ Jan 1st 2008 3:31PM
I think konami looks at ut3 and how terrible it is selling and are shaking in their boots right now...this was probably the biggest exclusive the ps3 has gotten in its lifetime. 111k as we speak is abysmal.
Dahk @ Jan 1st 2008 7:42PM
Then again, if you look at UT3 for the PC, those sales weren't very earth shattering either.
Jnas @ Jan 1st 2008 11:21AM
If Bioshock or Mass Effect came on the PS3 a year or more after its 360 release, would 360 owners care? I wouldn't think so...
If this is true, i don't think its a big deal.
E.J. @ Jan 1st 2008 12:31PM
As a Xbox 360 and Wii owner/gamer/whathaveyou, it would be sweet to share such gaming experiences like BioShock and Mass Effect with PS3 owners. Unfortunately, there are things like "console wars", "fanboys", and "greedy corporate companies" that divide the gaming public which results in gamers hating each other despite sharing the same interests.
It just makes you wonder if people even like playing games or like to bitch about them.
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jan 1st 2008 2:16PM
It's the latter option. It wouldn't be fun if we all agreed with each other.
Ethan @ Jan 1st 2008 11:24AM
I played Final Fantasy 8, the 4 discs didn't bother me too much, and there ought to be about five if they're using most of the dual-layer blu-ray. Though that this will never be a reality saddens me;
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8476/mgs4st9.png
As somebody who enjoyed the previous games but isn't a die-hard fan, I have no idea if this'll be enough time for 360 owners to crack. As for me, nothing can be harder than waiting for Professor Layton (in Europe!).
JRM @ Jan 1st 2008 11:28AM
MSG4 going to xbox360 would be another mortal wound to the PS3. That is if the non-hardcore even care about the Metal Gear series...
Jhongerkong @ Jan 1st 2008 11:31AM
Meh. As a Nintendo person, im still waiting for my remake of Ghost Babel.
Mr Khan @ Jan 1st 2008 11:36AM
There's also an extremely rumored Snatcher remake running around out there, a cooperative project between Kojima and Suda 51 known only now as "Project S"
SoulBlade @ Jan 1st 2008 11:32AM
i wonder if the ps3 version relies on guaranteed hard drive - if so, it'll make the port that much more painful. multi discs would suck too, so unless you get more compressed textures/models, i can't see the 360 version being better.
Cal @ Jan 1st 2008 11:45AM
I couldn't care less about MGS, what I want is a real Final Fantasy game, ie not XI...
jynxycat @ Jan 1st 2008 1:05PM
... Well, they made XII, and XIII is coming up.
Hating on XI Online was cool years ago, when the game came out.
Cal @ Jan 1st 2008 1:08PM
I meant for 360, that's the only PS3 'exclusive' I can think of that I want on 360
James @ Jan 1st 2008 11:54AM
The amount this game is costing Konami, they really can't afford to release it on a machine with PS3 sales figures. Sure the game will help itself.
It needs the 360.
Or an eccentric billionaire pumping money into them.
Bill Gates?
Captain Cornflake @ Jan 1st 2008 11:54AM
"An unnamed Konami rep apparently dropped some knowledge on Xbox Family, whispering that MGS4 would sneak onto the Xbox 360 12 to 14 months after the PS3 version is released"
Gee, where did I hear this before, oh wait.
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/31/april-fools-alert-3-mgs4-on-xbox-360-and-blue-hobbits-in-lotr/
http://www.vgrc.net/articles-562.html
doom saber @ Jan 1st 2008 11:57AM
Is it me or does it seems that Joystiq is really, really hoping for this game to come out for the 360 since it seems that they are truely obesessed with the notion that the 360 might get MGS4 whereas they take any bit of rumor or speculation as news worthy?
I mean, if Joystiq was obsessed with the old FF7 rumors comin to new gen consoles like they are with this rumor, I would imagine Joystiq making a whole article about the recent Playarts FF7 toys and speculating that a game remake will be commin out soon just because they are new FF7 toys.
Also, from what I learn from action figure forums is that reps. are known to speak out of their bottoms, so I think this should taken by a grain of salt, expecially how the Konami employee isn't named. Even if the game does come, 6 months-12 months seems a long time. However, the timeframe is logical, seeing how that is the same amount of time it takes Konami to make a more contents version of their previous MGS games. Also, by releasing the plus version on the Xbox 360, the comment made by Hideo and co. can still be true in that they are not making MGS4 on the 360.
Nevertheless, I am skpectical of this and only think this is nothing, but Joystiq's desire to have this on the 360.
James @ Jan 1st 2008 12:02PM
I believe it's important as it's another iconic exclusive (although not, since MGS has been out on GC and PC and MGS2 on Xbox and IIRC PC) that has fled the nest.
I'm less bothered about the game and more bothered about the politics and financial restrictions behind such a decision.
I also thought the game looks crap. In GTA fashion it appears to get graphically worse in each trailer, where barrels and wheels still appear obviously angular. A game that died out to Splinter Cell (another game I don't really care about) long ago.
Qraze @ Jan 1st 2008 12:06PM
well msg4 was 1 of the biggest factors 4 me getting a PS3 and i'm positive it will b another amazing game and i hope it does go 2 the x360! it is a game u will have an experience while playing it, and the more people that can share that experience the better. so i drink pepsi (ps3) and u drink coke (360) that doesn't effect the feeling you get while playing it. we sit together 2 watch a football game and cheer 4 the same team , we r all still made up the same things and letting a consule choose your friends is you want 2 b nice 2 is fncking stupid. their is 3 unequal systems and each has their strengths and weaknesses. whatever so do guitars and i don't go into a music and hear fender fanboys arguing over b.c.rich guitars. were letting this whole fanboy thing get stupid! think about it seriously what would your parents think about if you or i was going hysterical over a system (unlesrs it x-mas morning of course! ) just think about it is all i'm asking and i can't think of anything else #1_in_the_hood_G!!
RobScheflo @ Jan 1st 2008 4:36PM
Whoa whoa whoa MGS dieing out to Splinter Cell?! Please MGS is far better than Tom Clancy Will ever dream of being.
doom saber @ Jan 1st 2008 12:15PM
I can see the news to be important if there is real info that the game is comming out on the 360. However, if it is the same random rumor that we heard a few months prior for the x amount of time, I don't think it should be news worthy. Just that we heard it on this site several times already without evidence that supports this claim other than a Konai rep who is anonymous. Talk about beating a dead horse over and over again.
This whole "news from an unnamed game ployee" reminds me of the whole Lost Vikings sequel rumor that Joystiq mentioned before the Blizzard's announcement of SC II. They claim that the next game announced at Korea will be a sequel to Lost Vikings simply because they heard it from some nameless Blizzard employee. However, it doesn't seem logical for Blizzard to make a huge announcment of a sequel to an obscure Blizzard game at a country where they treat Starcraft as a national past time.
Just saying that the unnamed game employee leaking news isn't the best source source of info as I can imagine anyone with an internet can fabercate about
ssuk @ Jan 1st 2008 12:18PM
I've always said that if MGS4 doesn't go straight to 360, it's year-later, money grabbing version will go to 360. I also see Final Fantasy XIII doing this, Square are at odds-ends with Sony over many things regarding the PS3, and if they aren't already contemplating just abandoning the Playstation 3 altogether over these arguments they may give Sony one hell of a bitch-slap by reading a 360 version.
But we have to remember that these are Japanese devs, and the 360 isn't doing THAT well over there and that although there's no talk of JAPANESE releases of these games going to 360, they've yet to actually speak of western releases going to the 360...