Joystiq

Kojima: I have three MGS5 concepts, please don't use them

Justin McElroy — 2008-09-26T11:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Action

You know that feeling when you're done with your local community theater troupe, but they just keep luring you back, promising that this year you'll play Henry Higgins, or complain that they simply don't have a believable Magical Mister Mistoffelees in the whole company and they don't know what they'll do without you? That's Hideo Kojima and Metal Gear Solid, and you gotta feel for the poor guy.

He so badly wants to be done with the series, he recently told 1UP: "I have three concepts for MGS5 already. What would be ideal for me with MGS5, though, is that we don't do those. If the team picks one of those concepts, I have to get involved again, which I don't want to do."

Could someone please come up with an insane enough plot for MGS5 so Kojima can hurry up and make us another Snatcher game? Who's up to the challenge? Is Ted Kaczynski still working?

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Kojima tired of questions about MGS4 on Xbox 360

Alexander Sliwinski — 2008-08-26T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360

Hideo Kojima wishes that the inquiries about a Metal Gear Solid 4 port for Xbox 360 would cease. The man who the La-li-lu-le-lo answer to tells Eurogamer he longs for the day that he stops being asked the notorious question during every interview and public appearance. Ironically, Eurogamer goes ahead and asks him about the possibility of an Xbox 360 port.

Kojima reiterates for the umpteenth time that MGS4 was optimized for the PS3 and a port may not be possible. He expresses, in what we're taking as a moment of frustration and spite, that he feels MGS4 should be on PC just so people stop focusing on consoles and start asking him more questions about the game itself.

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Kojima may 'have to' return for Metal Gear Solid 5

Randy Nelson — 2008-08-25T23:11:00+00:00

Filed under: Action, Business

Having celebrated his 45th birthday on Sunday (happy birthday!), Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima has again spoken on the trickiness of leaving the series despite his strong desire to get on with new ventures.

Speaking with Kikizo, Kojima likens his on-again, off-again relationship with the series' director's chair to that of famed Japanese anime director Hayao Miyazaki. "It's like when [he] says he is not going to do more [movies], and then always ends up doing [them]. I think I am kind of in a similar situation," said Kojima, adding, "I have ideas other than Metal Gear, and I want to go on to make other new games, but for political, business or technology reasons, there is always a time when I have to return."

Don't take that to mean "as director," though. "I would like to pass on the Metal Gear series to younger staff members, and then go on to produce the title, and not be so attached to it," he confided. Given his involvement as co-writer of MGS3 and co-writer / co-director of MGS4, Shuyo Murata - director of Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner - is currently tipped as Kojima's pick to take the reins of MGS5.

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Kojima: Metal Gear Acid for PSN 'possible'

Griffin McElroy — 2008-08-23T11:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PSP, Action, Strategy

As our stack of thick, leather bound binders filled from end to end with valuable Pokémon cards will attest, we're suckers for collectible card games. You could probably also tell from our proclivity to creep around the local Wal-Mart with a black bandana crudely wrapped around our greasy mullets that we're also diehard fans of stealth action. As such, it would seem logical to assume we're big supporters of the PSP-exclusive Metal Gear Acid titles -- unfortunately, one look at our barren ludological library will show that we possess a powerful, unnatural fear of video game packaging.

Thankfully, our hopes for a downloadable version of the Acid titles were lifted somewhat by a brief blurb from series creator Hideo Kojima at Leipzig yesterday. Kojima explained that while there's currently no plans concerning the two titles, it's "possible" that the card battlers could be uploaded onto PSN. We certainly would have preferred a more substantial tease from the Metal Gear maven, a "probable" or "likely", perhaps -- but we suppose beggars can't be choosers.

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'A Snake for a new era,' Kojima teases

Christopher Grant — 2008-07-29T14:11:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture

A brief interview with Hideo Kojima at Variety isn't so much full of megatons - he hasn't read much Haruki Murakami but he does enjoy Phillip Dick and Kurt Vonnegut - as it is with some insights into the supposed "end" of his Metal Gear Solid series.

Kojima shares some of his thought process on the creation of "Old Snake" - "I made him this way because of the unique characteristics of the game medium ... he represents the players themselves because of the interactive nature of games" - as well as teasing what we may be able to expect from "a new Snake." Kojima says, "If there ever were to be a new Snake (might have a different name), he will be a Snake for a new era." No, we're not sure what that means either, but it gives us great satisfaction in knowing that Kojima probably does.

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New MGS4 camo DLC hits with LOLs aplenty

Randy Nelson — 2008-07-04T23:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Action

We were starting to think that the new camo patterns available for download via Metal Gear Solid 4's "Extras" screen were going to be fairly mundane. Silly us! This is Hideo Kojima we're talking about here, and behind his stoic stare the guy has quite the sense of humor.

Case in point: the two new OctoCamo patterns available today. Called "Laughing Camo" and "Raging Camo," they cover Snake in text when equipped (which doesn't exactly sound like the best thing for, you know, stealth gameplay). These patterns aren't about hiding from enemies, though ... their effects are actually seen when you get near them. They cause PMC soldiers and other foes to break out into laughter and howling on sight, rendering them temporaily stunned. (Making the new camo settings something you'll want to use only on your second, third, fourth, or fith play-through, lest you ruin a "pure" first-time experience.)

Taking on The Patriots and getting kooky with Kojima? That's what we call a fun way to spend the Fourth.

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OMGS4: Three million copies shipped worldwide

Ludwig Kietzmann — 2008-06-26T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Action

Solid Snake's swan song seems destined to be heard by many a PlayStation 3 owner, with Famitsu (translated by IGN) confirming that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots has shipped three million copies to various destinations worldwide. Speaking at a recent Sony investor meeting in Tokyo, SCE president Kaz Hirai reportedly noted that Hideo Kojima's opus has had a beneficial effect on PS3 hardware sales.

Though its effects have been quite clear in Japan, the UK's Chart-Track group has previously stated that MGS4, despite being a top seller, only managed to have "minimal impact" on the PS3's selling rate. Konami has made no announcement regarding US sales yet, though we expect to see plenty of Metal Gear sold action on next month's NPD report.

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OMGS4: Sales exceed 1 million in Europe during first week

Ludwig Kietzmann — 2008-06-24T10:40:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Action, Business

Senior stealth citizen news now, with European Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots sales exceeding one million units in its first week. Konami has called the demand for the game "exceptional," noting that the final chapter in Solid Snake's spiraling saga has seen high sales in all European territories. The 25,000 Limited Edition copies made available to the continent were "almost immediately" sold out. Figures.

The PlayStation 3 sneak-em-up has seen similar success in Japan, outselling its closest competitor by a factor of 12. If you're among the million Metal Gears Sold and don't know your Gekkos from your Frogs, be sure to download the free MGS4 Database from the Euro PlayStation Network this Thursday.

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Joyswag: Win a Kojima-signed copy of MGS4

Andrew Yoon — 2008-06-17T17:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Joyswag

Update: A winner has been selected and contacted via e-mail. Congrats!

So this "Hideo Kojima" guy totally ruined our copy of Metal Gear Solid 4. He had the nerve to scribble all over it in permanent marker. It looks like he ... signed it? Yuck!

His signature has obviously tarnished our copy. It's worthless now, so we're giving it away in this latest edition of Joyswag: Garbage Edition. Go ahead, take it away from us. We don't want it! Bah!

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment expressing your earnest desire to collect our garbage. Comments must be left before 5PM EST on Monday, June 23rd. Only one comment per person per calendar day -- or else! One winner will be selected in a random drawing. Grand Prize Winner will receive a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (signed by Hideo Kojima and Yumi Kikuchi) for PS3 (MSRP: $60). Click here for complete Official Rules. Eligibility is restricted to the legal residents of the 50 United States (including DC) and Canada (excluding Quebec). You must be 18 years or older to enter.

For another chance to win an autographed copy, visit PS3 Fanboy.

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See Hideo Kojima's brain

Justin McElroy — 2008-06-13T18:50:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture

There have been plenty of times when we've dreamed about looking into Hideo Kojima's mind, if only to leave therein the suggestion that it's really about time for another Zone of the Enders or Snatcher game. But we never took the idea quite as literally as Kojima himself, who has the above MRI of his own noggin on display at his workplace. The pic was snapped a couple of years ago by MTV.

The site has a larger version of Headeo Kojima, just perfect for ... whatever dark purpose some of you have already begun envisioning.

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War has changed: a veteran's MGS4 experience

Randy Nelson — 2008-06-12T18:25:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Action

My experience thus far with Hideo Kojima's latest mega-game has been a bit different than that of my cohort Ross Miller's. Whereas Ross is a self-proclaimed MGS noob, I've been playing the series since its inception, having taken Snake (and Big Boss) through every game in canon and out.

A major theme in MGS4 is how "war has changed," and, right from the get-go, I was noticing how MGS has changed in the process. So far, it's been largely for the better. Keep on reading for more impressions from the perspective of an old "Tactical Espionage Action" dog who's learning new tricks.

Gallery: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots

(Please be aware that there may be some very minor spoilers in what you're about to read, 'kay? Great!)

MGS4 looks and sounds amazing. I don't think I've seen or heard a better game ever. The cutscenes and dialog? I've died and gone to Outer Heaven. Good - now that's out of the way.

As for basic gameplay, I wasn't so sure about needing to press a button to stick to walls / cover at first. I'd gotten very used to just pressing up against them. I'm still adjusting, but it makes sense, plus I don't have to worry about accidentally popping out and blowing my cover! All of the little contextual icons are actually a good thing. Now I don't have to guess what Snake can and can't climb, etc.

"The focus is still very much on stealth - it's just about new ways of being stealthy."

It's MGS and it's not MGS. There are so many little things changed, from aiming to the camera, that just looking at it you might think it's more like Splinter Cell. Still, it manages to feel like an MGS game, only taken to that proverbial next level. The focus is still very much on stealth - it's just about new ways of being stealthy. I'm loving those new ways, from waiting for firefights to get intense before sneaking past to the very, very cool OctoCamo. I've also found moving while shooting from first-person view to be a great addition, and, no, it doesn't make the game feel like an FPS. You can't play it that way all the time and survive, trust me!

My favorite aspect of the gameplay system so far is the Drebin Shop. To me, it seems to be this game's equivalent of the field medicine sub-system of MGS3. The ability to "cash in" all of the various enemy weapons I've picked up for Drebin points, when use those to buy new guns, upgrades, explosives, and - in a very nice touch - ammo without visiting a shop (thank to my little errand boy, Mk. II!).

Very few of the game's core mechanics are explained on the default difficulty setting. If I hadn't been following the game for years, seen it demo'd, and played it previously, I wouldn't have picked up on the function of the Threat Ring and other basics. It's almost like Kojima wanted to hand players things like the Solid Eye System and say "Here, play around with this and figure out how to use it!" In a way, as a hardcore fan, the sense of discovery as you play with Snake's gadgetry is pretty cool.

"You must watch the mission briefing from the main menu."

Oh, I don't want to forget: you must watch the mission briefing from the main menu. It answers a lot of questions you'll have about Snake's mission only a few minutes in, and contains plenty of fan service (while raising some plot questions of its own).

Now it's back to the battlefield, where I continue to find myself surprised by the creativity and refinement I'm finding around every corner.

Snake? Snaaaake? SNAAAAAAKE! Check out our Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots page for all things Metal Gear.

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Yeah, we met Kojima in Times Square

Andrew Yoon — 2008-06-12T02:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Galleries

Hideo Kojima stopped by New York City's Virgin Megastore in TImes Square to meet and greet fans at the Metal Gear Solid 4 launch. We got a number of signed copies ... maybe one will go to a lucky reader (if we feel generous enough!). Check out our gallery below, or some highlights, after the cut.

Gallery: Metal Gear Solid 4 launch in Times Square

The very first in line.

Hideo Kojima stars in ... Dead Rising

Yes, someone got a cardboard box signed.

The one and only.

The voice of Otocon (Christopher Randolph) was also present.

Awesome t-shirt.

Model Yumi Kikuchi is on hand as well.

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The (Big) Bosses of Metal Gear Solid

Ludwig Kietzmann — 2008-06-10T15:25:00+00:00

Filed under: Nintendo GameCube, PC, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox, Action

A hero's true worth lies in his ability to overcome the greatest of villains. Metal Gear Solid's slithery protagonist, Snake, has conquered not only the greatest of villains, but the weirdest mustache-twirlers gaming has ever seen.

Be sure to click on the above gallery and join us as we examine our favorite fearsome foes, kooky killers and big bosses.

Snake? Snaaaake? SNAAAAAAKE! Check out our Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots page for all things Metal Gear.

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Introducing the Joystiq Metal Gear Solid 4 page

Ross Miller — 2008-06-06T21:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Action, Adventure

Need a refresher on Kojima's forthcoming masterpiece? Check out our game page for all things Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Seriously, this is everything we've written on the game. Bookmark the page, as we'll be constantly updating with new content in the lead-up to MGS4's worldwide launch next week.

Note: The MGS4 page also benefits from not having comments and is therefore spoiler free. That said, we will do our best to monitor the comment system, at our own risk, and delete spoilers. Still, we're human, so be careful when treading through comments, on any website, for the next few weeks.

To those who do post spoilers: Expect to see a banhammer slam into your forehead.

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Konami announces MGS4 launch events for US [Update]

Randy Nelson — 2008-06-04T23:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 3

Konami has announced three opportunities for US fans of the MGS series to meet the creators and stars of the insta-classic Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots in person, beginning with the midnight launch of the game in NYC and Los Angeles. As an added bit of extra-coolness, Konami will be selling an undisclosed number of the ~~limited edition MGS4 PS3 bundles~~ regular MGS4 PS3 bundles at each event for $499.99. We've got the full schedule of events after the break.

[Update: The Gunmetal PS3 will not be sold at these launch events. Instead, the regular 80GB Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle will be offered. This includes a standard black 80GB system, a regular copy of Metal Gear Solid 4 and a DualShock 3 controller. We apologize for any confusion.]

New York City
Where: Virgin Megastore, 1540 Broadway, (212) 921-1020
When: Wednesday, June 11, 11:45pm - 1:00am
Who: Hideo Kojima and model Yumi Kikuchi (Raging Raven)

Los Angeles
Where: Best Buy, 1015 N. La Brea Avenue, North Hollywood, (323) 883-0219
When: Wednesday, June 11, 11:45pm - 1:00am
Who: David Hayter (Solid Snake), Kenichiro Imaizumi (Producer), Ryan Payton (Associate Producer)

San Francisco
Where: PlayStation Store at Sony Metreon, 101 Fourth Street, (415) 369-6000
When: Saturday, June 14, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Who: Hideo Kojima, Kenichro Imaizumi, Ryan Payton, Yumi Kikuchi

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MGS4 receives 'perfect' score from Famitsu

Randy Nelson — 2008-06-04T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Action

Japanese games mag giant Famitsu has rated Metal Gear Solid 4 and bestowed it with its highest honor: a score of 40/40. MGS4 is the first PS3 title to receive such high praise from the magazine's editors. It has already picked up similarly glowing scores from European and Western publications.

Famitsu has only handed out a 40/40 score to seven other games in its history: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64), Soulcalibur (DC), Vagrant Story (PS), The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (GCN), Nintendogs (DS), Final Fantasy XII (PS2), and Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii). We imagine Otacon is peeing his pants right about now.

[Kotaku via PS3 Fanboy]

Gallery: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots

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Metal Gear Retrospective: Part Four slithers back to the '60s

Alexander Sliwinski — 2008-06-04T09:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox

GameTrailers continues its Metal Gear Retrospective by going over the events of Metal Gear Solid 3 and what went down in the jungle with Naked Snake back in the '60s. The back end of the retrospective episode covers the events of MGS: Portable Ops., which occurred six years after MGS3. For those who didn't play, it's a good chance to fill in the back story of ~~Naked Solid Liquid~~ Geriatric Snake before Metal Gear Solid 4 releases next week.

If you're looking for more, don't forget to check out the other three episodes in the retrospective. You can also learn more about what it's actually like to replay the MGS series by checking out our dear Mr. Kietzmann's b[ack]log.

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PS3 Fanboy attends Hideo Kojima's London signing

Ross Miller — 2008-06-02T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Adventure, Galleries

Click to embiggen

Metal Gear Solid mastermind Hideo Kojima was on hand at HMV Oxford Street, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe, Earth (just so we're clear), to sign sleeves for next week's MGS4 launch. Joining him was lead artist Yoji Shinkawa and Beauty and the Beast model Yumi Kikuchi.

Our friends at PS3 Fanboy were at the event and report that the first 300 pre-printed sleeves went rather quickly, although they did get their MGS Essential Collection signed instead. Check out the gallery to live vicariously through them.

Gallery: Hideo Kojima London Signing 2008

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The B[ack]log: The Snake is a Lie

Ludwig Kietzmann — 2008-05-31T11:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 2, Action

This article contains enormous spoilers, just so you know.

Playing Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty again, after all these years, has had an interesting effect on my opinion of it. Which is to say, I actually like it now. I'm tempted to compare it to a maturing, fine wine, a substance I'm sure was heavily consumed during the game's development, but the truth is that Sons of Liberty remains every bit the unhinged and convoluted mess I remember it to be. A mess that, with patience and even the slightest idea of what you're getting yourself into, becomes considerably easier to navigate. Wait ... does that make me the wine?

Interestingly, your impression of Metal Gear Solid 2 is likely to be more positive if you never bothered to finish it. Upon first completion, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth, an inkling of bitterness that ultimately overpowers every other memory of your experience. Indeed, my recollection of the game brought about nothing but a feeling of anger -- the Metal Gear Solid sequel I expected and the one I played seemed to differ greatly -- and a dull ache at the back of my head. I'm sure that's due to the game's mind-warping plot and, if not, the injuries sustained by having the carpet constantly yanked from under me. Thankfully, subsequent visits allow you to spot Hideo Kojima's fingers and give them a good stomping.

Removed from the narrative stunts and bizarre situations, the gameplay in Metal Gear Solid 2 is, without a doubt, superior to that found in the original adventure. You'd think that alone would make it the better game, but... we'll get to that. Sons of Liberty greatly expands upon the franchise's peculiar and still unique brand of stealth, not to mention the mental capacity of the formerly inept and forgetful guards. Whereas genre competitors like Splinter Cell adopt a serious approach and encourage you to linger within shadows, Metal Gear Solid's alternative to direct confrontation has always been a tad more playful. It's just like those youthful days of hide-and-seek in the park, the critical difference being that you get shot if someone finds you. Rough neighborhood.

The corner view allows you to study the environment, as well as Snake's excellent mullet.
The single greatest leap in minion intelligence comes in the shared realization that they're not alone. Guards will whip out radios and demand heavily armed backup before chasing you around the corner. No longer will they forget about you as soon as you disappear from view, engaging in systematic searches because, hey, you were there just a second ago! And forget about that cunning cardboard box disguise -- a suspicious box will be properly aerated first.

"Sons of Liberty asks an interesting question: What do you want from a sequel? "

With improved, sneaky maneuvers and more cunning (albeit still comical) guards to foil, how is it that Metal Gear Solid 2 unites so many faces and palms? The game's infamous surprise, of course, is the introduction of a different protagonist following the game's rain-drenched prologue, though you may want to switch out the "different" adjective for something like "foppish," "effeminate" or "flimsy." Raiden was certainly no Solid Snake, despite having identical moves, gadgets, weapons and motivations. The white-haired whiner's greatest contribution to gaming, perhaps, is delivering proof that players actually care about nonsense like "characters" and "story."

Raiden's role -- and that's a word I and the game's characters use intentionally -- closely mirrors that of Snake's in Metal Gear Solid. So much so, that Metal Gear Solid 2 borders on being an outright remake of the previous game. I'm not sure whether it's intentional or not (does it matter?), but Sons of Liberty asks an interesting question: What do you want from a sequel?

We angrily assault message boards when our favorite franchises take an unexpected turn, in the fear that number two or number three will fail to capture those feelings we had before. Essentially, we want a similar, familiar experience with a just tweak here and an interesting twist there. That's what Metal Gear Solid 2 delivers, with several elements that can be directly linked to Snake's Shadow Moses mission.

Just like Snake, Raiden suffers through a lengthy torture and interrogation sequence towards the end of the game -- in an identical room with identical equipment, no less. Entering via an underwater passage and a cargo elevator, his mission is to infiltrate an isolated, guarded installation that is merely a front for something more sinister. A group of bizarre, melancholy weirdos stand in his way, once again led by a clone of pre-Solid Metal Gear villain, Big Boss. The high-ranking individuals Raiden is sent to rescue perish immediately after encountering him. A mysterious cyborg ninja aids him along the way, even repeating Gray Fox's warning of hidden mines. Add in a sniper section, throw in a remote-controlled rocket sequence and switch out the Hind battle with a Harrier fight, and you have your sequel.

Stop staring at his crotch.
Of course, what drags this one down is the change in avatars -- you're still not playing as Solid Snake! Indeed, Metal Gear Solid 2's true cleverness (and utter pretentiousness) comes through when it integrates its "perfect sequel" structure directly into the story. Raiden, switch off your console. This mission is just a simulation.

Though hugely impractical and exceedingly unbelievable, the situational simulation that Raiden finds himself in is actually an elaborate machine, meant to replicate a soldier on par with Solid Snake. Every battle and every circumstance encountered throughout the game, while sincere from the point of view of the participants, forms part of a veiled Shadow Moses recreation. Despite being congruous with Metal Gear's theme of cloning exceptional warriors, the belief that an exactly calculated sequence of events and challenges can forge a legendary hero could be considered just a teensy bit far-fetched. Well, it would be in any other medium.

"The climax is nothing short of an insane attack on the fourth wall ... everyone talks to you like you're playing a game. And, let's face it, you are.'"

Sons of Liberty's climax is nothing short of an insane attack on the fourth wall. An uploaded virus doesn't merely affect the game's fictional computer network, but the game itself. The colonel suffers a hilarious mental breakdown, Snake assures you he's got "infinite ammo" and everybody talks to you like you're playing a game. And, let's face it, you are. In a moment very reminiscent of BioShock's late-game revelation, Colonel Campbell asks Raiden why he's even taking orders from someone he's never even met. Why are you taking orders from the colonel, hmm?

The machine meant to transform Raiden into Snake isn't confined to the Big Shell complex -- it envelops the game, or the "simulation," itself. What is a game, if not an exactly calculated sequence of events and challenges, meant to transform you, the player, into a virtual soldier? Or a thief. Or a race car driver. Or a superhero. No matter the genre, success in a game always hinges on your ability to play a specific role.

For all its deception and overwrought delivery, Metal Gear Solid 2 ultimately delivers a fun and fascinating look at video games and sequels. It may not be intentional and it may not be particularly subtle, but it's a message that should resonate with anybody who's ever wanted to become someone else in a game. Have you?

WE LOVE KATAMARI
TOMB RAIDER: ANNIVERSARY
ELITE BEAT AGENTS
DIRT
METAL GEAR SOLID
METAL GEAR SOLID 2: SONS OF LIBERTY

The B[ack]log chronicles Ludwig Kietzmann's fight against that seemingly insurmountable and entirely self-inflicted obstacle, the ever-sprawling backlog of games that are either unfinished, unplayed or unloved. Every week (HA!), Ludwig hopes to subtract at least one and ramble on about it for a few paragraphs ... if you don't mind.
If you do, let him know:

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Kojima talks about pressure and MGS' future

Alexander Sliwinski — 2008-05-29T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Action, Adventure

Hideo Kojima, in a recent interview with Reuters, speaks about the pressure placed on him and wrapping up the Metal Gear Solid storyline. Kojima expresses that the pressure to not only sell MGS4, but to help boost PS3 sales, isn't negative pressure to him. He believes that, thanks to a mixed metaphor by the translator, the pressure helped him "push up the bar" to create a sense of "positive pressure."

Kojima also tells Reuters that MGS will always be around, noting that he feels a responsibility to fans to keep the series going, though all the plot lines introduced in the MGS series so far will be wrapped up in MGS4. He says he'll take a different role with the next game and possibly sit in as producer when the "young staff takes control of the new series."

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