TGS 2009: Kojima toyed with shocking, 'transforming' controllers for MGS4
by Randy Nelson 
{ Sep 25th 2009 at 5:32PM } 
In one of a series of videos released by Microsoft of developers offering their thoughts on Project Natal, Kenichiro Imaizmu, producer of the Metal Gear Solid series at Kojima Productions, revealed that Hideo Kojima had been leading the design of a custom controller for use with Metal Gear Solid 4.
As Imaizumi described, the ideas were figuratively -- and literally -- shocking. "We tried running electric shock waves, install a pulse reader ... we also tried to build a controller that's receptive to the strength of the [player's] grip," he divulged. "We tried a lot, even a transforming controller." While it's too bad the truly shocking DualShock will never see the light of day, at least we may now know where Nintendo got the idea for its pulse reader: Kojima's dumpster ...
Back to the video, Imaizumi also extolled the virtues of Project Natal, mentioning its ability for gesture, voice and color-based interaction. But, as far as we know, Natal doesn't have the ability to zap players with electric shocks. That's just never gonna happen. (Uh-oh ... did we just say -- yep. Never say never again.)
As Imaizumi described, the ideas were figuratively -- and literally -- shocking. "We tried running electric shock waves, install a pulse reader ... we also tried to build a controller that's receptive to the strength of the [player's] grip," he divulged. "We tried a lot, even a transforming controller." While it's too bad the truly shocking DualShock will never see the light of day, at least we may now know where Nintendo got the idea for its pulse reader: Kojima's dumpster ...
Back to the video, Imaizumi also extolled the virtues of Project Natal, mentioning its ability for gesture, voice and color-based interaction. But, as far as we know, Natal doesn't have the ability to zap players with electric shocks. That's just never gonna happen. (Uh-oh ... did we just say -- yep. Never say never again.)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Marius @ Sep 25th 2009 5:37PM
Kojima just STFU and work on MGS5, no MGSR or Peace Walker
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Sep 25th 2009 5:42PM
I'm sure he'll get right on that, you sure do have an artful way with words.
contact @ Sep 25th 2009 5:43PM
Have you seen the trailer to Peace Walker? Looks like MGS5 if anything.
Mr. Manly ESC Mcbeefington Ferguson The Second @ Sep 25th 2009 5:47PM
MGS4 was like the END of the series.There is not going to be a MGS:5 but you can have all the spin off you want,speaking of which I would like Metal Gear Ac!d 3.
Don't pee on my leg and tell me its raining.
Pee on my leg and tell me you love me!
Extinction @ Sep 25th 2009 5:48PM
Im glad he doesnt listen to retards like marius
Kattleox @ Sep 25th 2009 6:02PM
No, have you PLAYED PEACE WALKER? Think MGS5+MGS3 and you have it.
Darkfocus @ Sep 25th 2009 6:27PM
@Kattleox
MGS8? /shrugs shoulders
German @ Sep 25th 2009 5:37PM
Quite interesting...
Mr. Manly ESC Mcbeefington Ferguson The Second @ Sep 25th 2009 5:45PM
The idea of making the player suffer then evolved to what we call now "online gaming".
Sly (Now with less shake, more bake!) @ Sep 25th 2009 6:07PM
WHAT??? online is the best part of a lot of games for me. hell, i probably won't even touch MW2 single player until a day comes when my internet is down.
CheeziePotato (PSN: talic10 | XBL: InfiniteMovie) @ Sep 25th 2009 6:45PM
@Sly
You sir, are not a true gamer.
Good Day
chris @ Sep 25th 2009 8:15PM
CheeziePotato, Well said my friend.
[ArchiGamer] [Live from Omicron Persei 8] @ Sep 25th 2009 5:45PM
So, he was working on the Vitality Sensor then?
Extinction @ Sep 25th 2009 5:48PM
No
Cody @ Sep 25th 2009 6:41PM
lol exactly what i was thinking Archi, but you see, because it's NOT Nintendo mentioning such a device, it's cool and acceptable here at Joystiq.
Fullmetal Salchemist @ Sep 25th 2009 11:44PM
Because it's not Nintendo? Perhaps you missed the part where the post jokingly said that Nintendo got the idea from the dumpster, meaning that a vitality sensor is a stupid idea no matter who came up with it.
eNrique @ Sep 25th 2009 5:52PM
How about bringing Motion Controller support and trophies for the greatest game this gen?
Maybe in a "whole new" game; something like
METAL GEAR SOLID 4: SUBSTANTIAL
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 25th 2009 6:20PM
LOL
Greatest game this gen...
Biased opinions FTW!
The Return of Lieutenant Gunther (PSN: helghast102) @ Sep 25th 2009 6:28PM
MGS4 is amazing an' all, but Valkyria Chronicles is the best :P
MGO is the best online game too
marauder30 (psn: darthmilasmentor, xbl: huskerblackshrt) @ Sep 26th 2009 1:20AM
2nd'd on Game of the PSWii60 Generation.
Even with it's 5 hours of gameplay/20 hours of cutscenes. MGS4 is just packed with way too much cool shit to put down. Look at all the guns!! That's not even to mention MGO, which I only started playing a week ago (finally figured out how to get the PS3 connected to the neighbor's wireless :P)
BunnySlapper @ Sep 25th 2009 5:56PM
Were the shocking controllers an attempt to keep us awake through the incredibly long cutscenes?
Mr. Manly ESC Mcbeefington Ferguson The Second @ Sep 25th 2009 6:03PM
Please son left the dead jokes rest in peace.
eNrique @ Sep 25th 2009 6:09PM
*slaps bunny in the face*
Sly (Now with less shake, more bake!) @ Sep 25th 2009 6:09PM
maybe you should get some more sleep, since all the cutscenes kept me interested all the way.
The Return of Lieutenant Gunther (PSN: helghast102) @ Sep 25th 2009 6:15PM
How original...
:/
PSN: John-Paul-Jones @ Sep 25th 2009 8:09PM
I don't want to give too many spoilers away for those who haven't played it yet, but I have to admit that the cut scene after Act 3's fight was long, yet it was so EPIC. It ran for an hour (I timed it), but I loved it. MGS4 was the first game I played in the series, and despite its complex story, I was deeply immersed with the story, cinematography and gameplay. I actually wanted more cutscenes lol
ZaxCG2 @ Sep 25th 2009 9:50PM
John, I completely agree.
I was a bit late to the series myself, and decided one day I would complete the whole story start to finish. It began with MGS for PC. Yes, PC. Eventually I found a cheap PS2... got the 1-3 pack... and tried my best to get through that. So in the course of about 2 years, I had finally made it to 4, which I had to borrow a PS3 and rent the game to beat within a week. Mind you, I am poor, and have been strictly a PC/Nintendo gamer.
All that effort REALLY pays off, though, when you get to 4... the mystery shrouded finally breaks loose. You're presented one of the finest pieces of entertainment ever. All in 1080p glory.
Sure. You can say its just a game with long cutscenes... But if you're a die-hard fan, its probably THE most beautiful game to date.
ripslymemc @ Sep 25th 2009 6:13PM
if they did make dedicated controllers just for mgs4, it would have truly been a masterpiece, although it was good enough already.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 25th 2009 6:46PM
Yea so Kojima would have had too much fun letting Psycho Mantis shock the shit out of us....*YES RUMBLES BACK!!*
Emperor_Den_Den @ Sep 25th 2009 7:22PM
wtf is that on ur head chris
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 25th 2009 7:31PM
blasted small ass pictures....lol
its a HAT
http://twitter.com/account/profile_image/Aggie_CEO?hreflang=en
Cheesus Crust @ Sep 25th 2009 7:56PM
Black Superman! lol
PedoJokerBear [Planeteer | Power of Gall Bladder] @ Sep 25th 2009 8:07PM
its his third eye....
I KNEW IT!
JACK @ Sep 26th 2009 3:06AM
Black Superman! lol
wut?
Joe @ Sep 25th 2009 8:43PM
Really there is no proof that Natal works in game. Just videos, no demos at any gaming convention. They just keep hyping it up with 0 proof.
ZaxCG2 @ Sep 25th 2009 9:40PM
Man, if that game wasn't as tough as it was during the microwave scene...
Just think about doing it while constantly being shocked.
NeoMahi @ Sep 26th 2009 3:40AM
So what, we're back to square one with rumors of Metal Gear Solid 4 Coming to Xbox 360 with Natal then, eh? Why would Joystiq mention MGS 4, and then post it under PlayStation and Xbox 360's tabs. That's as though they're suggesting something or trying to suggest something. Gosh, getting all with all this association of 360 and MGS 4. Like they're not satisfied with Kojima developing Rising on the 360.