Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Thank Kojima's son for getting Snake into Smash Bros. Brawl]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/thank-kojimas-son-for-getting-snake-into-smash-bros-brawl/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/thank-kojimas-son-for-getting-snake-into-smash-bros-brawl/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/thank-kojimas-son-for-getting-snake-into-smash-bros-brawl/#comments Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima and Sora Ltd. head Masahiro Sakurai are friends. So when Hideo Kojima wanted one of his most famous characters, Solid Snake, put into Sakurai's fighting series, Super Smash Bros., all the two had to do was talk. "When I was developing Super Smash Bros. Melee for GameCube, Hideo Kojima contacted me and practically begged me to put him in there, but at that time we were deep in dev and it was too late," Sakurai told Kotaku back in 2006. Snake didn't end up in Melee, but did appear in the Wii's iteration of Super Smash Bros.: Brawl.

So what drove Kojima to "practically beg" Sakurai to get Snake in the game? "My child likes Super Smash Bros., so we play it a lot together. And he told me that there's no character that you made in that game," Hideo Kojima told a group of interviewers late last week ahead of the Smithsonian's "The Art of Videogames" exhibit. Aside from his son's pleading, Kojima pointed to Metal Gear's low profile on Nintendo consoles as a second reason.

"As you know, we did make Twin Snakes, but generally speaking, there hasn't been a lot of Metal Gear on Nintendo platforms. So from that perspective, I thought it was a good way to expose younger people to this character, Snake," he said. It must be working, as Snake is one of Brawl's most popular characters.

JoystiqThank Kojima's son for getting Snake into Smash Bros. Brawl originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>guest-characterhal-laboratoryhal-labshideo-kojimamasahiro-sakurainintendosora-ltdSuper-Smash-Bros-BrawlwiiMon, 19 Mar 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima working on 'something' related to film, announcement coming in the 'near future']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/kojima-working-on-something-related-to-film-announcement-comi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/kojima-working-on-something-related-to-film-announcement-comi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/17/kojima-working-on-something-related-to-film-announcement-comi/#comments During a heavily curated question and answer session at the Smithsonian Museum of Art, Hideo Kojima was asked whether he is interested in making films, as his lifelong passion for the cinema has heavily influenced the way he makes games.

According to the Metal Gear Mogul himself, filmmaking is something he's always been interested in and has wanted to try, although he doesn't believe Metal Gear Solid would work as a film in its current form. That doesn't mean he isn't working on anything, however: "I'm working on something, and I hope in the near future I'll have something to announce."

Well then! Here's hoping for that live-action Snatcher adaptation we've been dreaming of since 1994.

JoystiqKojima working on 'something' related to film, announcement coming in the 'near future' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cinemafilmhideo-kojimakonamimetal-gear-solidSmithsonianSmithsonian-Museum-of-Artthe-art-of-videogamesSat, 17 Mar 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hideo Kojima recalls Snatcher's heat-activated disk (what?)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/hideo-kojima-recalls-snatchers-heat-activated-disk-what/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/hideo-kojima-recalls-snatchers-heat-activated-disk-what/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/hideo-kojima-recalls-snatchers-heat-activated-disk-what/#comments Among the many things that Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima is known for - microblogging about everything he eats, for instance - we're particularly interested in his proclivity for breaking the fourth wall. The first Metal Gear Solid's controller port trick is but one example of his bizarre, outside-the-box thinking when it comes to making games. As it turns out, he was trying to do so as early as 1988, when he first worked on the original Snatcher for Konami.

During a roundtable interview session today, just ahead of his appearance at the Smithsonian's "The Art of Videogames" event, Kojima detailed his first forays beyond the game as presented on screen. "Back when I was making Snatcher, which is a PC game - at the time we used floppy disks," he said. "One thing that I wanted to do that I wasn't able to do was that I wanted to have a secret message on the disk -- actually have something written or printed on the disk." Kojima wanted the missive to be heat activated - which is to say "activated by the heat created by the disk drive itself." S ... seriously?

"So maybe when you put it in your disk drive and you're playing for about fifteen minutes, the heat from the disk drive interacts with that chemical and creates a certain smell. It smells like blood or something like that," he said through a translator. "And when you pull it out you see like a dying message on the disk. That was actually an idea I had for the original Snatcher but unfortunately I got yelled at for it and they didn't let me do it." Isn't it always "they?" Those guys are the worst!

JoystiqHideo Kojima recalls Snatcher's heat-activated disk (what?) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimakonamipcsmithsoniansnatcherthe-art-of-videogamesFri, 16 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima clarifies the 'ogre' in 'Project Ogre']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/kojima-clarifies-the-ogre-in-project-ogre/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/kojima-clarifies-the-ogre-in-project-ogre/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/kojima-clarifies-the-ogre-in-project-ogre/#comments Slowly but surely, sparse details regarding Hideo Kojima's "Project Ogre" begin to coalesce in the dark, nebulous void of unannounced games. We already know that Project Ogre will be an open world game with 100-plus hours of content, and that it will be a "very subdued experience," but what that experience actually is has remained a mystery.

We have learned, however, that Kojima's use of the word "Ogre" in the project's codename is literal, rather than figurative, and that the game will deal with actual ogres in some capacity, according to a tweet translated by Andriasang. It's also interesting to note that the Japanese word for ogre, "oni," can also be translated to mean "devil" or "demon," so we may end up with one of those rather than an actual ogre. Our prediction is that this whole thing turns out to be a licensed Urusei Yatsura dating game.

JoystiqKojima clarifies the 'ogre' in 'Project Ogre' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>demondevilfox-enginehideo-kojimakonamiogreoniproject-ogreFri, 24 Feb 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Next Metal Gear Solid targeted for 'high-end consoles' and PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/next-metal-gear-solid-targeted-for-high-end-consoles-and-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/next-metal-gear-solid-targeted-for-high-end-consoles-and-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/next-metal-gear-solid-targeted-for-high-end-consoles-and-pc/#commentsJoystiq can exclusively reveal that the next Metal Gear Solid will feature intense zero-gravity chess, cybernetic nano-crocodiles, mirror universe machinations and a trash-compactor escape scene that will serve both as Star Wars homage and finger-wagging sermon on humanity's crushing impact on the environment. Well, provided the Joystiq staff are hired to work on the game.

Kojima Productions has unveiled an extensive list of available jobs, hinged on evolving the in-development Fox Engine and, more importantly, bringing the next game in the Byzantine franchise to life. According to the page introduction, Hideo Kojima and co. are on the hunt for engineers, artists, designers and a brand manager to handle "the latest Metal Gear Solid targeted for high-end consoles and PC."

If you think you can bolster the Fox Engine with new rendering tech, create "fantastic game content," or cultivate MGS "as a global mega-hit franchise in all regions," you should swing by the Game Developers Conference Career Pavilion between March 6 and March 9 and make yourself known.

We might nudge you out of the way as we deliver our own game concept, which we're tentatively calling "Metal 6ear Solid: Sublimation Synthesis." Don't you just love the sound of that, Kojima?

JoystiqNext Metal Gear Solid targeted for 'high-end consoles' and PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc-2012hideo-kojimakojima-productionsmetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-nextpcWed, 22 Feb 2012 01:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Metal Gear Solid HD Collection has Vita-exclusive touch knifing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/metal-gear-solid-hd-collection-has-vita-exclusive-touch-knifing/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/metal-gear-solid-hd-collection-has-vita-exclusive-touch-knifing/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/07/metal-gear-solid-hd-collection-has-vita-exclusive-touch-knifing/#comments Metal Gear Solid HD Collection for Vita won't just be a straight port of the PS3/Xbox collection (of upscaled ports). Hideo Kojima revealed that the portable release will have at least some Vita-exclusive features, including Vita-specific control tweaks.

"You can slice enemy's throat with knife if you flick the touch pad behind," he said, referring to the throat-slitting maneuver in Metal Gear Solid 3. The "touch pad behind" is of course the Vita's rear touch pad. You can also move left and right on the rear touch pad to stretch in first-person view. Of course, these aren't just a neat bonus -- as MGS2 and 3 used all of the PS2's control options, including analog buttons and the L3/R3 buttons, some changes had to be made in the transition.

Kojima shared a couple of photos of MGS3's title screen and HD Collection menu screen on Vita, taken while sitting in a recording studio. Why was Hideo Kojima in a recording studio? Because actor Ginga Banjou was recording new lines for the game -- as Major Zero explaining the Vita controls.

JoystiqMetal Gear Solid HD Collection has Vita-exclusive touch knifing originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimametal-gear-solid-hd-collectionplaystationplaystation-vitarear-touch-padvitaTue, 07 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Zone of the Enders HD opening snapshots, care of Kojima]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/zone-of-the-enders-hd-opening-snapshots-care-of-kojima/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/zone-of-the-enders-hd-opening-snapshots-care-of-kojima/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/zone-of-the-enders-hd-opening-snapshots-care-of-kojima/#comments Zone of the Enders HD is receiving a new animated opening from Gundam studio Sunrise. On a recent check of the footage, Hideo Kojima decided to tweet out some stills from the production. As Siliconera notes, Kojima captured the Vic Viper, Jehuty and Ardjet.

Continue reading Zone of the Enders HD opening snapshots, care of Kojima

JoystiqZone of the Enders HD opening snapshots, care of Kojima originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimaKonamizoe-hd-collectionzone-of-the-enderszone-of-the-enders-hd-collectionTue, 31 Jan 2012 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[The Metal Gear Solid snakeskin 3DS is not to be eaten]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/the-metal-gear-solid-snakeskin-3ds-is-not-to-be-eaten/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/the-metal-gear-solid-snakeskin-3ds-is-not-to-be-eaten/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/29/the-metal-gear-solid-snakeskin-3ds-is-not-to-be-eaten/#comments Despite its subtitle, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater should not encourage you to consume the snakeskin-embossed Nintendo 3DS coming out alongside the game in Japan. For starters, the device is a piece of electronics, and on top of that it's a rare, cool-looking limited edition 3DS.

Konami has yet to give the 3DS a full reveal, but the above image was teased via Hideo Kojima's Twitter account, like most things MGS these days. We'll keep an eye out for any other images slithering onto the internet before the game launches on March 8.

JoystiqThe Metal Gear Solid snakeskin 3DS is not to be eaten originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dshideo-kojimakojima-productionskonamilimited-editionmetal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater-3dmetal-gear-solid-3d-snake-eaternintendospecial-editionThu, 29 Dec 2011 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima the producer open to MGS remake, Kojima the creator not so much]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/kojima-the-producer-open-to-mgs-remake-kojima-the-creator-not-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/kojima-the-producer-open-to-mgs-remake-kojima-the-creator-not-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/kojima-the-producer-open-to-mgs-remake-kojima-the-creator-not-s/#comments Konami's recent Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is an odd product for shipping without anything called "Metal Gear Solid HD" in the box. One part of series creator Hideo Kojima views the omission as a call to be answered, while another is eager to spend less time in the past.

"There are a lot of people wanting remakes of the original, and as producer I want to answer those calls," Kojima tells Official PlayStation Magazine. "But as a creator I'm not very interested in going back. If we were to do it, it would have to be a total remake - the only thing that would be the same would be the story. If it happened at some point I would stay as a producer, but would have to hand off most of the actual creating."

We've heard of Metal Gear Solid's seemingly inevitable continuation before, and of Kojima's wearying dance between director and producer. The first Metal Gear Solid is satisfactory in being "the game I wanted to make," says Kojima, who sounds like he'd rather not meddle and make it once more -- never mind that it's already been redone in MGS: Twin Snakes with the help of Silicon Knights and Nintendo. "If you bring the gameplay up to modern standards, then you lose a bit of the original game. It was a game made for a certain era - not just the story, but the controls and everything about it reflect that era in which the game was made."

That's right. Back in the day, there wasn't enough visual fidelity to tell whose footprints those were -- and we liked it.

JoystiqKojima the producer open to MGS remake, Kojima the creator not so much originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimametal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-hd-collectionmicrosoftplaystationps3remakexboxMon, 26 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima's Project Ogre takes place in an open world]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/kojimas-project-ogre-takes-place-in-an-open-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/kojimas-project-ogre-takes-place-in-an-open-world/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/kojimas-project-ogre-takes-place-in-an-open-world/#comments "Rather than making something cinematic, [I plan to] make something very free," Hideo Kojima told CNN of his new game, "Project Ogre." He went on to describe the game as set in an open world, in which players are free to explore. CNN reports that Kojima expects players to be able to find content even after 100 hours.

This open-world design is, of course, a change from the Metal Gear Solid series, which gives players a lot of choice in how they want to approach situations -- in a strictly prescribed series. Do you want to walk by those guards quietly, or tranquilize them, or throw down a Playboy magazine to distract them, or just kill them with a grenade? However you do it, you likely have to.

Kojima didn't outright say the images he recently released on Twitter, of a Fox Engine title, were of this particular game. He has continued teasing the engine on Twitter, where today he posted an image of an "original system" for creating avatars. Above: programmer "Lionel" and his avatar, made in about an hour of fiddling.

JoystiqKojima's Project Ogre takes place in an open world originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fox-enginehideo-kojimakojima-productionsproject-ogreWed, 21 Dec 2011 10:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Hideo Kojima gets his Revengeance with Metal Gear Rising]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/hideo-kojima-gets-his-revengeance-with-metal-gear-rising/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/hideo-kojima-gets-his-revengeance-with-metal-gear-rising/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/hideo-kojima-gets-his-revengeance-with-metal-gear-rising/#comments Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima and Platinum Games producer Atsushi Inaba took the stage at Konami's offices here in Los Angeles earlier this week for a mea culpa of sorts: Kojima now admits that Metal Gear Solid Rising, though it may have looked nice in the trailer back at E3 2010, just wasn't working.

"In the summer of 2010, the team made a presentation for me," he recounted through a translator, "and I realized the game design still wasn't there yet." The team's vision was split between stealth and action, the idea of "cut everything" worked technically but made for gameplay that was too open-ended, and the game just wasn't fun, says Kojima. "As the young staff said to me, they wanted a good game that just felt good moving around, and we would never get that, so I decided to cancel the project."

"But still, we had a lot of things" that could still be used, says Kojima. "Motion capture, a lot of good story, the view of the world inside the game, and I wanted to use that somehow. I wanted Rising to be born again, so that's when I decided to contact Platinum Games."

Gallery: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (PS3/ Xbox 360)

Continue reading Hideo Kojima gets his Revengeance with Metal Gear Rising

JoystiqHideo Kojima gets his Revengeance with Metal Gear Rising originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atsushi-inabahideo-kojimainterviewkojima-productionsmetal-gear-rising-revengeancemetal-gear-solid-risingplatinum-gamesplaystationps3qATue, 13 Dec 2011 20:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima's 'Project Ogre' will be different, but not anytime soon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/kojimas-project-ogre-will-be-different-but-not-anytime-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/kojimas-project-ogre-will-be-different-but-not-anytime-soon/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/26/kojimas-project-ogre-will-be-different-but-not-anytime-soon/#comments There's an unusually high concentration of Metal Gear(?!) buzzing around the industry right now: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is upscaling its way through living rooms the world over, while Metal Gear Solid Rising's production continues, once again under the watchful eye of series progenitor Hideo Kojima. Metal Gear Solid 5 is even closer to being a thing now, but what about Kojima's other other baby, Project Ogre?

"I can't really say too much about that project yet, but it's a very subdued experience," Kojima said during an interview with Official PlayStation Magazine UK. "It's a little bit different to what I've done up until now. On the surface it will look similar, but once you get into it, it will be a different experience."

Announcements like this always get our blood pumping. Metal Gear set in medieval times? Zone of the Ogres? Whatever Project Ogre is, we at least know that it's a long way off: "The Ogre project is going to take a lot of time, so I want to produce some other things on the side, like I'm doing with Rising."

Oh! Dude. Policenaogres. Think about it, Kojima.

JoystiqKojima's 'Project Ogre' will be different, but not anytime soon originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimakojimakonamimetal-gearmetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-5metal-gear-solid-hd-collectionmetal-gear-solid-risingproject-ogreSat, 26 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima on MGS5: 'We'll probably have to make it at some point']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/kojima-on-mgs5-well-probably-have-to-make-it-at-some-point/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/kojima-on-mgs5-well-probably-have-to-make-it-at-some-point/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/kojima-on-mgs5-well-probably-have-to-make-it-at-some-point/#comments
Last week, we reported that an Official PlayStation Magazine article revealed concrete plans for Metal Gear Solid 5, with Hideo Kojima at the helm. New quotes have emerged from the magazine that make the news seem a bit less ... solid.

Rather than boldly announcing that MGS 5 is happening, Kojima told the magazine that "I think we'll probably have to make it at some point, but what that will be, we have no idea." And rather than taking on the director job right away Kojima is, as ever, trying to free himself from Metal Gear. "As far as my involvement in the project is concerned, [it] probably won't be as much as it was with MGS1 - maybe I can do just one stage!" he said. Kojima told OPM that if he has other Kojima Productions staff make a game from the start, he won't have to step in to preserve his vision.

So the announcement no longer specifies a definite Metal Gear Solid 5, and no longer confirms Kojima directing it. We'll just have to go back to assuming both of those things.

JoystiqKojima on MGS5: 'We'll probably have to make it at some point' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimakojima-productionskonamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-5Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Tactical Espionage Announcement: Kojima working on Metal Gear Solid 5]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/tactical-espionage-announcement-kojima-working-on-metal-gear-so/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/tactical-espionage-announcement-kojima-working-on-metal-gear-so/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/17/tactical-espionage-announcement-kojima-working-on-metal-gear-so/#commentsThough this may not be a surprise worthy of even a single exclamation point, it's welcome news to fans of cardboard camouflage, fateful fistfights, and delicious, convenient Calorie Mates.

There's going to be a Metal Gear Solid 5. And, despite his constant efforts to extricate himself from the series, Hideo Kojima is going to be in charge of it -- though it's currently unclear whether that will be in a higher-level production capacity or as director.

The news comes out of the latest Official PlayStation Magazine UK, which finds a place for Hideo right on the cover. In the issue, Kojima discusses Metal Gear Solid Rising, his plans for this newly announced (but highly expected) sequel, and a new project called "Project Ogre." Whatever it is, we're sure it's not a new Snatcher game.

JoystiqTactical Espionage Announcement: Kojima working on Metal Gear Solid 5 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimakojima-productionskonamimetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-5Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Deja Review: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/deja-review-metal-gear-solid-hd-collection/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/deja-review-metal-gear-solid-hd-collection/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/deja-review-metal-gear-solid-hd-collection/#commentsWe're of the firm opinion that your time is too precious, too valuable to be spent reading a full review for a game that was already reviewed many, many years ago. What's the point of applying a score to a game that's old enough to be enrolled in the sixth grade? That's why we invented Deja Review: A quick look at the new features and relative agelessness of remade, revived and re-released games.
If you've never played a Metal Gear Solid game before, the slogan "tactical espionage action" probably doesn't evoke memories of baffling sci-fi plots, ludicrous boss fights and the occasional bit of fourth wall humor. For the rest of us, Metal Gear Solid stands as one of the strangest and most iconic franchises of the last generation.

The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection wrangles together updated versions of Sons of Liberty and Snake Eater for the first time in high definition. Also included is a console version of the Playstation Portable title, Peace Walker. Add to that the original MSX2 versions of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2, all for ten dollars less than the price of a standard console game, and you've got a collection approaching Orange Box levels of value.

And while what's included in this anthology is quite impressive, it's the elements that are missing in action that tend to stick out.

Continue reading Deja Review: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection

JoystiqDeja Review: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimakojimakonamimetal-gear-solid-3-snake-eatermetal-gear-solid-hd-collectionmetal-gear-solid-peace-walkermicrosoftplaystationps3xboxTue, 15 Nov 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Metal Gear Solid HD Collection slithers into Europe on Feb. 3, 2012 [update: US on Nov. 8]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/metal-gear-solid-hd-collection-slithers-into-europe-on-feb-3-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/metal-gear-solid-hd-collection-slithers-into-europe-on-feb-3-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/metal-gear-solid-hd-collection-slithers-into-europe-on-feb-3-2/#comments Konami has announced a European release date for the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, an enhanced assembly of Hideo Kojima's playful, odd and utterly Byzantine stealth saga. (Well, most of it.) It'll be in shops for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on February 3, 2012.

We've contacted Konami via uncompressed codec to confirm the HD collection's North American release date, which most retailers and rental outlets still list as November 8th, 2011. [Update: Konami has confirmed that date.] A Limited Edition packing a 450-page 250-page art book will also be available, as will this repeated reminder of what you're getting in the box: Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance, Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. The Subsistence edition of MGS3 also includes Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

The nested novelty of playing an MSX game inside a PS3 port of a PS2 game sounds too good to resist!

Continue reading Metal Gear Solid HD Collection slithers into Europe on Feb. 3, 2012 [update: US on Nov. 8]

JoystiqMetal Gear Solid HD Collection slithers into Europe on Feb. 3, 2012 [update: US on Nov. 8] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europehideo-kojimakojima-productionskonamimetal-gearmetal-gear-2-solid-snakemetal-gear-solid-2metal-gear-solid-2-substancemetal-gear-solid-3-snake-eatermetal-gear-solid-hd-collectionmetal-gear-solid-peace-walkermicrosoftplaystationps3q1-2012release-datexboxWed, 26 Oct 2011 12:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Hideo Kojima talks life, influences at USC presentation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/hideo-kojima-talks-life-influences-at-usc-presentation/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/hideo-kojima-talks-life-influences-at-usc-presentation/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/06/hideo-kojima-talks-life-influences-at-usc-presentation/#comments Hideo Kojima (and young Kojima) in a presentation at USC. Legendary game developer Hideo Kojima took the stage at the University of Southern California last night to talk about his life as a game developer, and give a few thoughts on the current state of gaming and game development. During an interview moderated by Geoff Keighley, the creator of Metal Gear Solid spoke honestly about his past as the son of two pharmaceutical executives, his current work/life balance, and what he thinks the future of gaming looks like.

Kojima told a few cute stories from his past -- he said that he started writing as a young man, and early on wrote a long story called "Survival Battle" that had everyone in its world fight at the age of 14, earning extra time in their lifespan for each victory. He said that in college, he was an economics major, and thus the "only oddball in my class that wanted to make movies or novels." His economics thesis even included a short story "to surprise my professor, and he was very surprised," said Kojima through a translator, "but it didn't help my grade much."

Kojima also talked about his gaming influences, starting with the original Famicom, and mentioned titles like Super Mario Brothers, Xevious, and the Japanese text adventure Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken as early influences on his work. "I felt great potential in the medium," Kojima said about discovering video games, adding that the interactivity was what really drew him in early on.

Continue reading Hideo Kojima talks life, influences at USC presentation

JoystiqHideo Kojima talks life, influences at USC presentation originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofox-enginegeoff-keighleyhideo-kojimainfluencesinterviewkojima-productionslifeplaystationpresentationps3pspsonyuniversity-of-southern-californiaThu, 06 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Watch' Sdatcher in English right here]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/watch-sdatcher-in-english-right-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/watch-sdatcher-in-english-right-here/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/26/watch-sdatcher-in-english-right-here/#comments

A group of heroic fans has begun the work of making Suda 51's Sdatcher, the Snatcher-inspired radio drama, available to Anglophone fans. A fan-subtitled version of the first installment has been posted to YouTube -- in English and Spanish -- allowing us to check in with Jean Jack Gibson, a "JUNKER" agent tasked with finding and destroying humanoid robots (Snatchers) who have infiltrated human society.

This first episode is a sort of futuristic police procedural, with Gibson and his robotic partner "Little John" (played by Hideo Kojima) chatting amiably and going for lunch in Neo Kobe's Chinatown as they conduct an investigation.

We can't help but wish we were seeing what was going on as we listen to this ... and that we were playing it. Thankfully, Akira Yamaoka's music does an admirable job of dropping us into the kind of cyberpunk future-'80s dreamed up in the original game.

Joystiq'Watch' Sdatcher in English right here originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fansubhideo-kojimakonamisdatchersuda-51suda-51s-sdatcherMon, 26 Sep 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Transfarring coming to US version MGS HD [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/transfarring-only-coming-to-japan-versions-of-mgs-hd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/transfarring-only-coming-to-japan-versions-of-mgs-hd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/transfarring-only-coming-to-japan-versions-of-mgs-hd/#comments Update: According to Konami's Twitter feed, Transfarring is coming to the US PS3 version of Metal Gear Solid HD Collection.

Original story: The coming PS3 HD edition of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker was supposed to include Hideo Kojima's cloud-saving gem, Transfarring, to share game saves between the PSP and PS3 -- notice the past tense "was supposed to." Transfarring will only be available in Japan when Peace Walker releases in November, according to Konami's information packet from TGS 2011.

Kojima had previously said Transfarring would be available for every Kojima Productions release in the future, although to be fair, he didn't say where it would be available. Even if Kojima only releases it for himself and he spends the remainder of his days Transfarring, alone, that's still technically available. It's also kind of rude.

We've contacted Konami for clarification.


[Thanks, Marc!]

Continue reading Transfarring coming to US version MGS HD [update]

JoystiqTransfarring coming to US version MGS HD [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimaKonamimetal-gear-solid-hd-collectionmetal-gear-solid-peace-walkermicrosoftplaystationps3pspsonytransfarringxboxFri, 16 Sep 2011 16:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD will have online co-op through PSN and Xbox Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-hd-will-have-online-co-op-through/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-hd-will-have-online-co-op-through/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/05/metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-hd-will-have-online-co-op-through/#comments The HD version of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker offers nice bonuses beyond sharper graphics and dual analog controls. Today, Hideo Kojima announced that Peace Walker will feature online co-op (or CO-OPS, as it's known in-game) on Xbox 360 and PS3 via infrastructure mode.

It is possible to play the PSP version online, but to do so requires Sony's "adhocParty" app, and a connection to a PS3 that is using a wired internet connection. This version will be as simple as it is with any other Xbox Live/PSN game. And, Kojima confirmed, it'll run in 60 frames per second even with 4 players.

While you grudgingly admit that you want to buy the games again, now in the HD collection, here's a little perspective: Peace Walker is being sold separately in Japan, but it's just one part of a bundle here.

JoystiqMetal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD will have online co-op through PSN and Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co-ophideo-kojimametal-gear-solid-hd-collectionmetal-gear-solid-peace-walkermicrosoftplaystationps3psnxboxxbox-liveMon, 05 Sep 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sdatcher radio drama begins, swag for sale at TGS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/sdatcher-radio-drama-begins-swag-for-sale-at-tgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/sdatcher-radio-drama-begins-swag-for-sale-at-tgs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/02/sdatcher-radio-drama-begins-swag-for-sale-at-tgs/#comments For those of you who can understand Japanese, or just like the way it sounds, the first act of Kojima Productions and Suda 51's "Sdatcher" radio drama has been posted. You can access it from the Snatcher-inspired website set up for the series.

And if you're the type of person who has been waiting for years for new Snatcher merchandise, and plans on attending Tokyo Game Show -- we're mostly referring to ourselves here -- Konami will be selling some exclusive Sdatcher stuff, including a postcard set and a clear file folder. We'll make sure to look and sound as American as we can, to send a clear message to Konami staff that there are Anglophones who are way into this stuff.

JoystiqSdatcher radio drama begins, swag for sale at TGS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimajapankojima-productionskonamisdatchersnatchersuda-51tgs-2011Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima shows off Fox Engine faces, the nightmares won't stop coming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/kojima-shows-off-fox-engine-faces-the-nightmares-wont-stop-com/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/kojima-shows-off-fox-engine-faces-the-nightmares-wont-stop-com/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/kojima-shows-off-fox-engine-faces-the-nightmares-wont-stop-com/#comments Hideo Kojima recently Tweeted a few images of -- AH! Oh, sorry. We've been just a little jumpy since we saw this recent Tweet from Hideo Kojima, which shows off the facial rendering system of his studio's new Fox Engine, without any calming context whatsoever. Alongside the images, Kojima mentioned that the man depicted is a "killed character." That's fortunate, because we don't really want anything with a face this horrifying to be alive.

Check out a pair of larger, even more soul-rattling images from the Fox facial system after the break, followed immediately by an image of our reaction to these scary-ass countenances.

Continue reading Kojima shows off Fox Engine faces, the nightmares won't stop coming

JoystiqKojima shows off Fox Engine faces, the nightmares won't stop coming originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fox-enginehideo-kojimametal-gear-solid-hd-collectionmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxFri, 19 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hideo Kojima tweets 'ZOE 3DS' logo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/hideo-kojima-tweets-zoe-3ds-logo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/hideo-kojima-tweets-zoe-3ds-logo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/16/hideo-kojima-tweets-zoe-3ds-logo/#comments Prolific Twitter user and occasional game designer Hideo Kojima posted the above picture last night on his Twitter account, saying only, "Found this at Omori-kun's desk. What's this?" Yes, the Jehuty figure is pretty breathtaking, but something even more interesting can be found behind it: a "Z.O.E. 3DS" logo, with the "3DS" a subtle alteration of the mirrored ZOE logo. Part of another logo can be seen to the left, revealing "...bis: 2" That is perhaps a reference to Anubis, the Japanese name for Zone of the Enders 2.

This ZOE logo could be anything: a ported Zone of the Enders game for 3DS (like Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater); a new sequel (as in "Zone of the Enders 3" in the west and "Anubis: 2" in Japan); or a canceled project that never made it past the "really cool logo" stage. Furthermore, Kojima could just be messing with his followers.

JoystiqHideo Kojima tweets 'ZOE 3DS' logo originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsanubisdshideo-kojimajapankonaminintendozoe-3dszone-of-the-endersTue, 16 Aug 2011 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Metal Gear Solid 3D's photo camouflage system photographed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/metal-gear-solid-3ds-photo-camouflage-system-photographed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/metal-gear-solid-3ds-photo-camouflage-system-photographed/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/metal-gear-solid-3ds-photo-camouflage-system-photographed/#comments Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater has one advantage over its console counterparts: a fun new camouflage system that lets you dress Snake in camo based on pictures taken with the 3DS camera. Hideo Kojima grabbed some shopping bags to use as examples, posting two pictures on Twitter.

If the new 3DS port includes an added mission that takes place behind the counter of a Tower Records, Kojima's going to have no problem. Alternately, if you live in either a jungle or a decommissioned Soviet weapons facility, you'll basically be playing in easy mode.

Gallery: Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater (Photo camo)

JoystiqMetal Gear Solid 3D's photo camouflage system photographed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscamouflagedshideo-kojimakonamimetal-gear-solid-3d-snake-eaternintendoFri, 12 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MGS HD collection includes MGS3 'Subsistence' worldwide, MGS1 code in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/mgs-hd-collection-includes-mgs3-subsistence-worldwide-mgs1-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/mgs-hd-collection-includes-mgs3-subsistence-worldwide-mgs1-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/12/mgs-hd-collection-includes-mgs3-subsistence-worldwide-mgs1-co/#comments Hideo Kojima, comfortable in his natural habitat (Twitter) provided details of two regional versions of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. In Japan, the collection does not include Peace Walker, but does have a download code for the first Metal Gear Solid. The "overseas version" (meaning the one we get) doesn't include the download, but incorporates the HD version of Peace Walker.

In both regional variants, the HD version of Metal Gear Solid 3 is based on the "Subsistence" re-release, which means it has optional, user-controllable camera angles. That version also comes with the emulated MSX versions of Metal Gear 1 and 2, adding two more games to the collection!

Kojima also said that the Metal Gear Solid 2 HD release would be based on "subsistence," by which he must have meant "Substance." He wasn't clear on whether the basis was the PS2 or Xbox version -- a distinction that seems minor until you learn that the PS2 version had a skateboarding minigame that we need in HD. Finally, Kojima tweeted an image of the trophy icons for MGS2 and 3, which you can see after the break.

Continue reading MGS HD collection includes MGS3 'Subsistence' worldwide, MGS1 code in Japan

JoystiqMGS HD collection includes MGS3 'Subsistence' worldwide, MGS1 code in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimametal-gear-solid-2-substanceMetal-Gear-Solid-3-Subsistencemetal-gear-solid-hd-collectionmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxFri, 12 Aug 2011 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA['Sdatcher' radio drama will be distributed for free, sold on CD later]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/sdatcher-radio-drama-will-be-distributed-for-free-sold-on-cd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/sdatcher-radio-drama-will-be-distributed-for-free-sold-on-cd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/08/sdatcher-radio-drama-will-be-distributed-for-free-sold-on-cd/#comments In a tweet, Hideo Kojima announced that the Snatcher-universe radio drama, "Suda 51's Sdatcher," will be released as a free download. A CD will be sold later to pay the voice actors, including many Metal Gear series cast members. There's still no official release date for the drama, but it was planned to be concurrent with Hideradio podcast number 300 -- they're on 298 right now. Kojima subsequently tweeted the character art of Jean Jack Gibson above.

Kojima also said that he's heard the music Akira Yamaoka is making for the drama, which was to be '70s progressive rock and '80s electro pop. Per Andriasang's translation, Kojima likes it but questioned its reception by the masses. And when you bring in Suda 51 to make a podcast radio drama based on an adventure game from 1988, you don't want anything to get in the way of that built-in mass appeal.

Joystiq'Sdatcher' radio drama will be distributed for free, sold on CD later originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akira-yamaokahideo-kojimajapankonamiradio-dramasdatchersnatchersuda-51suda51Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima on Snatcher: 'If anyone else would like to develop it, I would love it.']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/16/kojima-on-snatcher-if-anyone-else-would-like-to-develop-it-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/16/kojima-on-snatcher-if-anyone-else-would-like-to-develop-it-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/16/kojima-on-snatcher-if-anyone-else-would-like-to-develop-it-i/#comments During an interview with PlayStation Blog, Metal Gear mogul and transfarring technorati Hideo Kojima dropped a crucial truth-bomb about the future of Snatcher, his cyberpunk cult-classic.

With L.A. Noire's brain-bustingly successful existence as an adventure game, and with Deus Ex: Human Revolution bringing cyberpunk back into the limelight, Kojima was asked whether or not he thinks the world is ready for another Snatcher. "I would love to do something like Snatcher," he said, "but I do not have the time or the means to do so. But if anyone else would like to develop it, I would love it."

It's sad to hear that the series' progenitor won't be returning to Neo Kobe City anytime soon, but at least die-hard Snatcher fans (Snatchies, we call ourselves) can look forward to a radio drama based on the game. What do you think? Should Snatcher be handed off to another developer, or left as-is?

View Poll

JoystiqKojima on Snatcher: 'If anyone else would like to develop it, I would love it.' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deus-ex-human-revolutionHideo-KojimaKojimaLA-NoireMetal-GearpcPollSega-CDSnatchertransfarringSat, 16 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima announces Snatcher-inspired radio drama, for real this time]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/kojima-announces-snatcher-inspired-radio-drama-for-real-this-ti/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/kojima-announces-snatcher-inspired-radio-drama-for-real-this-ti/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/kojima-announces-snatcher-inspired-radio-drama-for-real-this-ti/#comments This week, Hideo Kojima teased a surprise announcement coming on the latest edition of his Hideradio podcast. The real surprise is that it's something he already announced in 2007: a radio drama inspired by his 1988 cyberpunk adventure game Snatcher, scripted by Suda 51. It's called "Sdatcher" as a pun on Suda's name. This is the long-awaited Kojima/Suda "Project S."

The drama will include music by Akira Yamaoka, and will be released to coincide with the 300th episode of Hideradio -- this one is #296, and they are released biweekly, on Fridays. So ... two months or so? Of course, we'll then have to wait for some kind of translation, official or otherwise.

We take back what we said earlier. The real real surprise with this announcement is that Kojima actually announced something that isn't Metal Gear.

JoystiqKojima announces Snatcher-inspired radio drama, for real this time originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>akira-yamaokahideo-kojimaradio-dramasdatchersnatchersuda-51Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima likens game industry's challenges to Charlie Chaplin]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/kojima-likens-game-industrys-challenges-to-charlie-chaplin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/kojima-likens-game-industrys-challenges-to-charlie-chaplin/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/04/kojima-likens-game-industrys-challenges-to-charlie-chaplin/#comments Somehow, between helping run Konami Digital Entertainment and accepting a lifetime achievement award at Gamelab, Metal Gear mastermind Hideo Kojima found the time to sit down with Gamesindustry.biz and talk shop. Specifically, the impact that new technologies are having on the way games are being made.

When asked about cultural expression in games, Kojima said that developers now have "more capability for expression" than ever, likening the situation to a similar story-telling crossroad that challenged silent-film giant Charlie Chaplin. "He didn't need words to express himself in his movies but suddenly he had to include words in order to stay relevant. With this increased capability of expression through games, I think it's a matter of learning how to use it."

This enhanced ability to express ideas also causes problems for Japanese directors, according to Kojima. "There was no cultural barrier to the rest of the world because the technology meant that you couldn't tell whether it was Japan or anywhere else. Now it is possible, so it becomes more difficult." He maintains that "creating something is about turning impossible things into possible things," and that as technology continues to improve, game design could potentially lose its luster.

"If it gets to the point were I'm able to create anything I want," he says, "I'll probably stop making videogames."

JoystiqKojima likens game industry's challenges to Charlie Chaplin originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jul 2011 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GamelabGamelab-2011hideo-kojimaKojima-StudiosMon, 04 Jul 2011 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima highlights the gap between western and Japanese development styles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/25/kojima-highlights-the-gap-between-western-and-japanese-developme/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/25/kojima-highlights-the-gap-between-western-and-japanese-developme/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/25/kojima-highlights-the-gap-between-western-and-japanese-developme/#comments Metal Gear mastermind Hideo Kojima dropped some truth-bombs this week during an interview with Famitsu, as translated by 1UP. Speaking on the importance of world-wide success in the international market, he claimed that acceptance in foreign lands may not be as important as it once was, and that there is more to international success than a development team's nationality. According to Kojima, the key to global success is separation: if a development house wants western success, they should build a western team separate from their existing Japanese teams, complete with their own offices and culture-specific pay-scales.

He also cites cultural differences as a major roadblock for international success, explaining, "Japanese people might say 'Why space aliens?', but Americans will counter with 'What's with these games featuring these feminine-looking boys fighting in Japan with these huge swords?' It's no wonder the target audience for a lot of games is getting so compartmentalized."

Kojima hopes that Fox Engine, Kojima Productions' forthcoming multi-platform development environment, will help his studio develop new titles in a fashion similar to western developers. As long as he keeps putting snakes in boxes, we don't care what development style Kojima uses.

JoystiqKojima highlights the gap between western and Japanese development styles originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fox-enginehideo-kojimatransfarringSat, 25 Jun 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima using 'Transfarring' cloud data for all future games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/kojima-using-transfarring-cloud-data-for-all-future-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/kojima-using-transfarring-cloud-data-for-all-future-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/14/kojima-using-transfarring-cloud-data-for-all-future-games/#comments
Hideo Kojima said during a recent Kojima Productions podcast that the cloud data sharing system he created from dragonscales, Old Snake's mustache trimmings and cardboard boxes -- "Transfarring" -- will be available for every title his studio releases in the future. That means all of its games going forward, including the Metal Gear Solid and Zone of the Enders re-releases, Metal Gear Solid Rising and the new Fox Engine game, will all presumably provide some connection between the PS3 and PS Vita.

Does this mean a version of Metal Gear Solid Rising for the PS Vita? We'll have to wait and see. More importantly, perhaps, we're wondering how long it will take for someone to tell Kojima that cloud saving has been around for a while -- just so he can stop using that very silly name.

JoystiqKojima using 'Transfarring' cloud data for all future games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 22:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudcloud-saveshideo-kojimaKojima-Productionskonamimetal-gear-solid-hd-collectionplaystationplaystation-vitaps-vitaps3pspsonytransfarringtransfervitaTue, 14 Jun 2011 22:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima announces multiplatform 'Fox Engine,' powering upcoming project]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/kojima-announces-multiplatform-fox-engine-powering-upcoming-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/kojima-announces-multiplatform-fox-engine-powering-upcoming-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/02/kojima-announces-multiplatform-fox-engine-powering-upcoming-p/#comments Though we're still waiting to hear more on Kojima Productions' sword-swinging action title, Metal Gear Solid: Rising, the series' progenitor gave some hints about his next project in today's pre-E3 presentation. Kojima explained that he's working on a heretofore unannounced title that will run on the "Fox Engine," a new multiplatform development tool which Kojima Productions is creating in-house. A teaser image for the engine shows a PC mouse, a DualShock 3 and a 360 controller, seemingly indicating its compatibility with the three device's respective counterparts.

Kojima explained the engine, which Konami started developing shortly after completing Metal Gear Solid 4, is designed to ease the company's fairly laborious porting process between consoles, freeing Kojima's team to make even more games. We'll keep an eye out for more details on the Fox Engine at E3 next week!

JoystiqKojima announces multiplatform 'Fox Engine,' powering upcoming project originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 20:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fox-enginehideo-kojimaKojima-Productionskonamimicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 02 Jun 2011 20:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Metal Gear Solid 3D's interface snapped by Kojima]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/01/metal-gear-solid-3ds-interface-snapped-by-kojima/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/01/metal-gear-solid-3ds-interface-snapped-by-kojima/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/01/metal-gear-solid-3ds-interface-snapped-by-kojima/#comments Hideo Kojima gave a glimpse of the playable Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D demo for E3 by way of his Japanese Twitter account today. He noted that he finally crossed a suspension bridge using the "gyro controls." Last year's E3 demo of MGS 3D was little more than an interactive movie.

The image shows off the game's interface on the lower screen, with weapon selection also accessible through the bottom screen.

Kojima, who recently received a promotion in the Konami hierarchy, previously stated that there is something big planned for Metal Gear Solid's 25th anniversary next year, though he's not planning on delivering any announcements at E3 himself.

JoystiqMetal Gear Solid 3D's interface snapped by Kojima originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3DSdshideo-kojimaKonamimetal-gear-solid-snake-eater-3dMGS-3DnintendoWed, 01 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima: something big planned for 25th Metal Gear anniversary next year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/kojima-something-big-planned-for-25th-metal-gear-anniversary-ne/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/kojima-something-big-planned-for-25th-metal-gear-anniversary-ne/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/27/kojima-something-big-planned-for-25th-metal-gear-anniversary-ne/#comments Kojima Productions head honcho Hideo Kojima took to his company's official podcast to address some rumors surrounding his ongoing projects. Rather than elaborating on fans' questions (and potentially spoil Konami's long-term marketing plans), Kojima simply delivered either "Yes" or "No" answers (summed up by Andriasang).

First up: He won't be making any big splashes at next month's E3, (that's a "no"), but he did confirm that there are big plans afoot for next year's 25th anniversary of Metal Gear.

Before you get too excited, he also shot down the dream of a Metal Gear Solid 4 port to NGP, and offered another "No" when asked if MGS5 would be announced next month. As for the 3DS port of Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater, "yes," it'll arrive by year's end.

Finally, he noted that we won't see Metal Gear Solid Rising's multiplayer anytime soon, never mind at Microsoft's E3 presser (where he will not appear). Now we're hoping that Kojima's big surprise for next year is reversing all of this year's "No" answers.

[Image source: Mega64 (screencap)]

JoystiqKojima: something big planned for 25th Metal Gear anniversary next year originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 27 May 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dse3-2011hideo-kojimakojima-productionsmetal-gear-solid-5metal-gear-solid-risingmetal-gear-solid-snake-eater-3dmicrosoftngpplaystationplaystation-vitapodcastps3vitaxboxFri, 27 May 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Hideo Kojima becomes VP of Konami Digital Entertainment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/hideo-kojima-becomes-vp-of-konami-digital-entertainment/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/hideo-kojima-becomes-vp-of-konami-digital-entertainment/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/30/hideo-kojima-becomes-vp-of-konami-digital-entertainment/#comments Kojima Productions head and, of course, Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima has been promoted to a vice president and corporate officer role for Konami Digital Entertainment (the game development and publishing division of Konami Corporation), effective April 1 -- while maintaining his more prestigious title of "Hideo Kojima." The other Konami producer whose games actually sell, Pro Evolution Soccer's Shinji Enomoto, has been promoted to the same position, as well.

The new appointments come as part of a wave of executive shuffling, likely predicated by Konami's absorption of Hudson Soft. In fact, Konami's Kazuhiko Uehara is taking over the presidency of Hudson during this round of corporate musical chairs.

[Image source: Mega64 (screencap)]

JoystiqHideo Kojima becomes VP of Konami Digital Entertainment originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>corporatehideo-kojimahudsonkonamipromotionshinji-enomotovice-presidentWed, 30 Mar 2011 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima finds vintage Metal Gear design documents]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/20/kojima-finds-vintage-metal-gear-design-documents/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/20/kojima-finds-vintage-metal-gear-design-documents/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/20/kojima-finds-vintage-metal-gear-design-documents/#commentsHere's proof that there's a method to Hideo Kojima's madness -- even if it looks like more madness. The game designer tweeted some pictures of Metal Gear design documents he happened to find while cleaning his shelves. Above is a hand-drawn level map, featuring tons of notes; he also tweeted Codec conversation scripts, with each katakana character hand-written into a grid to fit in the screen (and memory) space.

Kojima also showed off the cover to his design document for "Metal Gear Intruder," which he submitted to Konami in 1986. The proposal was rejected, an occurrence that Kojima probably finds quaintly nostalgic now.

JoystiqKojima finds vintage Metal Gear design documents originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimakonamimetal-gearretroThu, 20 Jan 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima Productions recruiting more Metal Gear staff]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/kojima-productions-recruiting-more-metal-gear-staff/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/kojima-productions-recruiting-more-metal-gear-staff/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/kojima-productions-recruiting-more-metal-gear-staff/#comments Otacon: Snake! I was looking at Konami's website and saw that Kojima Productions is hiring staff to make the "next generation" of Metal Gear Solid.
Snake: Metal Gear!
Otacon: Right, Snake, people to work on the next generation of Metal Gear Solid games.
Snake: Next-generation special forces?!
Otacon: Well, I guess you could call them that. Konami is hiring designers, programmers and artists.
Snake: They're building an army!
Otacon: They could just need some additional staff to work on Metal Gear Solid: Rising, Snake. You remember, the one starring Raiden.
Snake: Raiden!
Otacon: ...
Snake: Otacon?!
Otacon: What is it, Snake?
Snake: Tell the story again about the time I drove a ... Metal Gear!
Codec: *click*

JoystiqKojima Productions recruiting more Metal Gear staff originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimaKojima-Productionskonamimetal-gearmetal-gear-solidmetal-gear-solid-risingmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxThu, 13 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Developers celebrate Super Mario Bros.' 25th anniversary]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/developers-celebrate-super-mario-bros-25th-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/developers-celebrate-super-mario-bros-25th-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/developers-celebrate-super-mario-bros-25th-anniversary/#commentsIn case the red consoles didn't sufficiently alert you, 2010 is the 25th anniversary of the release of Super Mario Bros. for Famicom and NES. To commemorate the occasion, Famitsu spoke to a group of prominent developers about the impact Shigeru Miyamoto's masterpiece had on them and the industry.

"The reason I entered the industry," Capcom's Keiji Inafune said, "was because I encountered Mario and learned how interesting games can be. Thank you, Mr. Shigeru Miyamoto." Super Monkey Ball and Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi expressed a similar sentiment, saying "It's the game that made me enter the game industry." Bethesda's Todd Howard said that Super Mario Bros. was the beginning of "the genre where the hero always follows the correct path."

Our favorite quote is from Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii. "Also, I can't say much," he said, "but there was also 'Kintamario.'" Yes, yes there was.

JoystiqDevelopers celebrate Super Mario Bros.' 25th anniversary originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsfamitsuhideo-kojimanintendosuper-mario-brosSuper-Mario-Bros-NEStodd-howardToshihiro-Nagoshiwiiyuji-horiiFri, 22 Oct 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kojima reveals how Snatcher almost stank]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/kojima-reveals-how-snatcher-almost-stank/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/kojima-reveals-how-snatcher-almost-stank/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/kojima-reveals-how-snatcher-almost-stank/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Metal Gear Solid's "codec frequency on the box" gag wasn't the first time Hideo Kojima thought about integrating a game's packaging with the contents of the game. Kojima tweeted the story (and Andriasang translated) of how he originally thought to cover the disk for the PC-8801 version of the cyberpunk adventure game Snatcher with a paint that smelled like blood.

The idea was that as you played, the disk would get warm, and eventually your computer would "release the smell of the crime scene." Or, to think of it another way, the scent of blood would gently waft out of your computer, freaking you the hell out. He now calls it the "Dead Smell Project." In a more sensible plan, Kojima also wanted to use the heat of the computer to hide a message on the disk, only visible when it was warm.

[Image: JunkerHQ]

JoystiqKojima reveals how Snatcher almost stank originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hideo-kojimakonamipcpc-8801retrosnatcherstenchesMon, 04 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hideo Kojima wants to show a game of his own at TGS 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/hideo-kojima-wants-to-show-a-game-of-his-own-at-tgs-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/hideo-kojima-wants-to-show-a-game-of-his-own-at-tgs-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/hideo-kojima-wants-to-show-a-game-of-his-own-at-tgs-2011/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While a new Kojima Productions game was on display at TGS 2010 -- Castlevania: Lords of Shadow -- Hideo Kojima's direct involvement seems limited to providing the voice for a mischievous chupacabra. In a tweet, the game director expressed his interest in showing a true Hideo Kojima game at next year's event.

Kojima said "I think it would be nice if next year I can do not just editing, but introduce my own new game (game design, script and direction)." During the Metal Gear Solid cosplay event at TGS, he also jokingly said "It's 5! Shall we make 5! With this, I won't have to quit Konami. I'll be there for 3 more years." This was in response to a prompt to "say something shocking," however, and not "say something true." A grain of salt is advised.

JoystiqHideo Kojima wants to show a game of his own at TGS 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Castlevania-Lords-of-Shadowhideo-kojimakojima-productionskonamiLords-of-Shadowtgs-2010tgs-2011Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST