Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/OMGS4: Three million copies shipped worldwidehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/omgs4-three-million-copies-shipped-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/omgs4-three-million-copies-shipped-worldwide/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/26/omgs4-three-million-copies-shipped-worldwide/#commentsFiled under: ,


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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]]>Guns-of-the-PatriotsHideo-KojimaKojima-ProductionsKonamiMetal-Gear-SolidMetal-Gear-Solid-4MGS4StealthLudwig Kietzmann2008-06-26T13:00:00+00:00To Hideo Kojima stalkers: He's in London next weekhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/to-hideo-kojima-stalkers-hes-in-london-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/to-hideo-kojima-stalkers-hes-in-london-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/26/to-hideo-kojima-stalkers-hes-in-london-next-week/#commentsFiled under: ,


According to Eurogamer, Metal Gear heads Hideo Kojima and Yoji Shinkawa will be in London next week to scribble signatures across their latest work, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Kojima and co. will be at the HMV Oxford Street, London store as of noon, though fans are encouraged to prepare their stampede at 9AM. With the meeting occurring on June 2nd, there won't be any copies of the game available, though HMV will provide 300 game sleeves to those who drop five pounds on a pre-order. If you want to show Kojima how much you care, ask him to draw a little heart on your sleeve.

Not in London? Catch the man in New York on midnight, June 11th. He'll look marvelous in your collection.

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]]>Guns-of-the-PatriotsHideo-KojimaKonamiMetal-Gear-SolidMetal-Gear-Solid-4MGS4StealthYoji-ShinkawaLudwig Kietzmann2008-05-26T17:30:00+00:00Breaking: Metal Gear Solid 4 to have really long cutsceneshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/breaking-metal-gear-solid-4-to-have-really-long-cutscenes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/breaking-metal-gear-solid-4-to-have-really-long-cutscenes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/23/breaking-metal-gear-solid-4-to-have-really-long-cutscenes/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you haven't been getting along with Metal Gear Solid's blend of neck-snapping stealth and expository blabbering, the fourth (and sort of final) game in the series is unlikely to sway your opinion. CVG reports that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots features 90 minutes of cutscenes and... wait, hang on. It doesn't contain 90 minutes of cutscenes, but rather, alleged 90-minute cutscenes. If your interest or your attention span doesn't stretch that far, you'll probably have a better time watching a Slinky make its way down a short flight of stairs.

Removing the element of sensationalism, however, it should be noted that the article fails to mention where said lengthy cutscenes (which can now be paused) fall within the game. For all we know, they're at the end -- you know, when you're done playing. Even so, this revelation is unlikely to turn away longtime series fans. If anything, we suspect it'll have them even more interested. We certainly are!

In other "Why am I waiting so long?" news, alleged images of a Metal Gear Solid 4 store display box have surfaced online, showing a required 4.5GB installation. We've requested comment from Konami.

[Thanks, Hashbrown Hunter]

Read -- Loooong cutscenes
Read -- Biiiig installation

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]]>CodecCutsceneGuns-of-the-PatriotsHideo-KojimaKonamiMetal-Gear-Solid-4MGS4StealthLudwig Kietzmann2008-05-23T10:30:00+00:00New MGS4 screens sneak outhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/new-mgs4-screens-sneak-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/new-mgs4-screens-sneak-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/21/new-mgs4-screens-sneak-out/#commentsFiled under: ,


click to enlarge
Vamp and Raiden are getting uncomfortably close up there, but we're thankfully getting comfortably close to Metal Gear Solid 4's June 12 release. Konami isn't slowing down the hype machine, today releasing a batch of fresh shots from Solid Snake's last hurrah.

The screens are mainly of scenarios previously seen in trailers for the game, but do include what appears to be a new cutscene grab along with a somber shot of Snake standing amid headstones in a cemetery (which is actually the backdrop of the game's title screen). Not included: screen grabs of Konami's web page for limited-edition MGS4 PS3 orders sporting a "server outage" message.

Gallery: Metal Gear Solid 4 (5-21-08)

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]]>kojima-productionskonamimetal-gear-solid-4mgs4stealthRandy Nelson2008-05-21T18:30:00+00:00Metal Gear Solid 4 not the last 'Metal Gear'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/metal-gear-solid-4-not-the-last-metal-gear/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/metal-gear-solid-4-not-the-last-metal-gear/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/19/metal-gear-solid-4-not-the-last-metal-gear/#commentsFiled under: ,


Though Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots may be the end of the line for Solid Snake, fans can rest assured that it won't be the last game they see with "Metal Gear" in the title. Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, associate producer Ryan Payton delivered the shocking revelation that a popular franchise would continue in the future. "I think there's been some misconceptions that this is the last 'Metal Gear,'"he said. "This is really just the last chapter of the saga of the Solid Snake story."

With Solid out of the way, what does the future hold for tactical espionage action? Metal Gear Meryl, the sneak-em-up with a softer touch? Or how about Metal Gear Soylent, the made-from-people masterpiece? Give us a clue, Ryan ... Ryan? RYAAAAAAAAAN!!

Be sure to check out the full article, which explains how Jade Raymond and Hideo Kojima's "mutual admiration for each other's work" landed Altair a cameo in Metal Gear Solid 4.

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]]>Hideo-KojimaKojima-ProductionsKonamiMetal-Gear-SolidMetal-Gear-Solid-4MGS4PS3Ryan-PaytonStealthLudwig Kietzmann2008-05-19T14:25:00+00:00The B[ack]log: Metal Gear?!http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/the-b-ack-log-metal-gear/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/the-b-ack-log-metal-gear/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/the-b-ack-log-metal-gear/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The B[ack]log finally returns with a special, three-part look at Metal Gear Solid:

It seems I've become the architect of my own failure. Instead of demolishing the skyscraper of untouched games in my living room, I recently and rather foolishly added three more stories to it. Three very involving, convoluted and relentlessly ridiculous stories, mind you, but ones that I've already been through once. With the release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots close enough for me to start using the word "impending," I thought it was time for a Metal Gear Solid replay.

A word of warning: While I've tried to steer clear of plot-related spoilers, we're talking about a game that's nearly ten years old. FYI, the Titanic sinks at the end.


One of the main criticisms of Metal Gear Solid and the franchise as a whole is that the use of cutscenes and dialogue sequences can be self-indulgent, if not downright excessive. When delivered by the acerbic wit of the internet, this complaint often manifests itself as, "I want to play a game, not watch a movie." My counter to that is, uh... Hmm. I guess don't have one. It's completely true. And while you do need a measure of patience in order to navigate all the chatty characters, surprise soliloquies and carefully choreographed action scenes, I don't believe any of it makes Metal Gear Solid any less of a game. Heck, the first ones to point this out are the characters themselves.

At the outset of Metal Gear Solid, you're tasked with infiltrating a nuclear weapons disposal facility (OR IS IT?) gripped by a frigid climate and a band of outlandish super villains. It's a one-man sneaking mission, and the "one man" is Snake, a soldier skilled at snapping unsuspecting necks and grinding mountains to dust with his vocal chords. Aiding him via radio transmission is a team of helpful specialists and a retired colonel who's really quite poor at filling you in on all the operational details.


Hey, I'd be hiding too if I didn't have A FACE.

Being the start of the game, however, he will dispense some helpful advice, such as which button to press in order to crawl. While plenty of games will bend over backwards to remove tutorial information from the context of the game's world, Metal Gear Solid's characters have no difficulty broaching the traditionally taboo topic of "buttons." Need to save your game? Call up Mei-Ling, a charming "data analyst" who saves your progress and dispenses a surprisingly relevant Chinese proverb at the same time. "Don't go chasing after too many items, Snake!" She may as well be talking directly to you.

The game's band of bizarre baddies -- "cartoon characters" by Snake's own admission -- also revel in reducing the fourth wall to a mound of shattered, two-way glass. Revolver Ocelot, named so for his Wild West flair and mastery of the firearm, wags his finger, warning you not to cheat. Don't even think about using auto-fire on your controller, because he'll know. More famous, perhaps, is the battle against Psycho Mantis, a telepathic creep who enjoys telling you what's on your mind, or rather, your memory card. He also commands you to put down your controller, only to move it across the floor with the power of his mind. You don't get that in movies or books!

A NSFW recap of some of MGS' events.

With these sly nods to the player, Metal Gear Solid embraces its existence as a game, more so than many other titles. If the game itself can admit as much, then you shouldn't have trouble doing the same. True, it's not fully interactive all the time, but the game's slavish devotion to its characters and labyrinthine story only serves to make the gameplay more meaningful and memorable. Removed from the game's campy context (and make no mistake, there's a resounding failure of seriousness in MGS), you're just piloting a blob of polygons through a large box, with nary a care as to who dies and who gets betrayed. Similarly, taking control during crucial events -- sticking your hand through the fourth wall and meddling in another world , as it were -- makes every last plot twist that much more engaging.

Throughout the game, series mastermind Hideo Kojima gets away with a lot of narrative stunts, which simply wouldn't be accepted in most other mediums. A boss will suddenly burst into an expository flashback and explain his role in the game, or Snake will get roped into an earnest codec conversation at the least opportune of times (don't worry, the world stands still while he's yammering.) And let's not forget those moments when the game pulls out its anti-nuke message and beats you to a nodding pulp with it. It's a cheesy, unorthodox and downright odd way of delivering a narrative, but it works ... for the most part.

Even when it doesn't, I applaud the game for its stubborn refusal to shut up. It might not be representative of the medium in its purest form and you might not like having control wrestled away from you, but it's rare to find a game with such a strong voice. Ten years later, I still find that most other titles are a little too shy for my liking. Speak up, fellas!

Next week: I'll talk about the franchise's (GASP!) gameplay, with reference to Metal Gear Solid's craziest entry, Sons of Liberty. Be sure to check out GameTrailers' excellent Metal Gear retrospective in the meantime.


WE LOVE KATAMARI
TOMB RAIDER: ANNIVERSARY
ELITE BEAT AGENTS
DIRT
METAL GEAR SOLID


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, 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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]]>BacklogHideo-KojimaMetal-Gear-SolidMGSMGS4SNAAAAAAAAAKEStealthLudwig Kietzmann2008-05-16T18:30:00+00:00MGS4 'Gun Metal Gray' PS3 bundle exclusive to Konami websitehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/mgs4-gun-metal-gray-ps3-bundle-exclusive-to-konami-website/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/mgs4-gun-metal-gray-ps3-bundle-exclusive-to-konami-website/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/mgs4-gun-metal-gray-ps3-bundle-exclusive-to-konami-website/#commentsFiled under: ,


While we've known for some time that the "Gun Metal Gray" PlayStation 3 bundle -- featuring a shiny 40GB model, a matching DualShock 3 controller and a Limited Edition copy of geriatric sneakfest, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots -- would be available to Americans, we didn't know until now that it would only be available to Americans logging onto Konami's website. Online and inevitably scarce pre-orders for the $599.99 package will start on May 19th, so you'd better get clicking if you want Snake and Gray Box to face off in your living room.

No, we mean it. Judging by Konami's labyrinthine sign-up process for the Metal Gear Online Beta, you'll need at least several days to prepare a registration, obtain an ID, convert that into e-currency, trade it in for the microfilm, enter the password, steal the key code, write the secret URL on a postcard and summon Hideo Kojima in an arcane ritual.

Note: This bundle is different from the regular, $499 MGS4 bundle which includes an 80GB PS3 and a DualShock 3.

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]]>BundlesGunmetal-Gray-PS3Guns-of-the-PatriotsHideo-KojimaKonamiMetal-Gear-Solid-4Metal-Gear-Solid-4-Guns-of-the-PatriotsMGS4SnaaaaaaaaakeStealthLudwig Kietzmann2008-05-15T16:00:00+00:00Velvet Assassin to cut throats on Xbox 360, PC this fallhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/velvet-assassin-to-cut-throats-on-xbox-360-pc-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/velvet-assassin-to-cut-throats-on-xbox-360-pc-this-fall/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/14/velvet-assassin-to-cut-throats-on-xbox-360-pc-this-fall/#commentsFiled under: , ,


German developer Replay Studios and indie publisher Gamecock dropped a friendly reminder that both studios plan to drape us in tufted fabric and slit our throats this fall, when Velvet Assassin ships for both the Xbox 360 and PC. As a stealth-action game, the title will drop players into the boots of real-life World War II allied secret agent Violette Szab as she goes toe to toe with the German war machine.

Beyond the biographical backdrop and historically-inspired setting, there isn't much known about the game. However, the publisher notes that Velvet Assassin will include "lush, surreal visuals" and "a ground-breaking stealth combat system," both interesting qualities ... though we hope the devs know how difficult blood is to get out of velvet without sending it to dry cleaning.

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]]>gamecockreplay-studiosreplaystudiosstealthvelvet-assassinvelvetassassinJason Dobson2008-05-14T06:00:00+00:00Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Metal Arms now available on Xbox Originalshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/splinter-cell-chaos-theory-metal-arms-now-available-on-xbox-or/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/splinter-cell-chaos-theory-metal-arms-now-available-on-xbox-or/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/21/splinter-cell-chaos-theory-metal-arms-now-available-on-xbox-or/#commentsFiled under: ,


We know you're keen to see what super spy Sam Fisher was up to before he started digging Linkin Park CDs into his wrists, so we wholeheartedly suggest you check out what many consider to be his best espionage entry, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. And if you absolutely can't find it on Xbox for less than 15 bucks, know that it's now available on the Xbox Originals download service.

If you'd rather not choke terrorists or contemplate why nobody can see a man with a Christmas tree on his head, Metal Arms: Glitch in the System should provide your "shoot first, shoot some more and then forget what you were going to ask" fix. Other fixes include (but are not limited to) "robots," "gun-toting robots" and "gun-toting robots shooting gun-toting robots." It's $15 (1,200 MS Points) for this one too.

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]]>Chaos-TheoryMetal-ArmsSplinter-CellSplinterCellStealthUbisoftXbox-OriginalsLudwig Kietzmann2008-04-21T21:30:00+00:00Tenchu dev K2 acquired by Capcomhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/tenchu-dev-k2-acquired-by-capcom/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/tenchu-dev-k2-acquired-by-capcom/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/tenchu-dev-k2-acquired-by-capcom/#commentsFiled under: ,


Capcom is certainly in the mood to spend money. On the heels of knotting up the rights to MotoGP for the next half-decade, the company has forked over enough cash to purchase Japanese dev K2, a studio known for such titles as Valhalla Knights as well as last year's abysmal Tenchu Z.

The purchase was made via an exchange of stock that's expected to be completed on May 1. Capcom failed to elaborate on its plans for the studio, however, noting only that the acquisition was made in order to make "its game development activities more efficient and speedy," leaving us wondering if Capcom plans to revisit the flailing Tenchu stealth action series at all or is simply adding cogs to its development machine.

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]]>acquireacquisitionbreakingnewscapcomJapank2stealthJason Dobson2008-03-31T09:05:00+00:00EIEIO 08: Velvet Assassin actually dressed in leatherhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/eieio-08-velvet-assassin-actually-dressed-in-leather/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/eieio-08-velvet-assassin-actually-dressed-in-leather/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/12/eieio-08-velvet-assassin-actually-dressed-in-leather/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click to embiggen

It's true. The game's title character may be velvet in some way, but the luxurious fabric does not figure into Violette Summers' ensemble. Instead, she alternates between skin-tight leather and a diaphanous, lingerie-like hospital gown. It's definitely more of a video game in that respect than a solemn tribute to Violette Szabo.

Why the hospital gown? The events of Velvet Assassin are framed as flashbacks remembered by a dying Summers, who is lying in a hospital bed as the game starts. She recounts her former missions behind enemy lines. This method of storytelling actually ties into the gameplay in a rather bizarre way.

Gallery: Velvet Assassin


You can administer morphine to the dreaming Summers, which causes the onscreen Summers to appear in hospital garb, the screen to glow in an ethereal white (with floating blood cells, even), and all the enemies to slow down, making them easier to kill. Maybe the pain alters Violette's perception of events, and the relief brought on by the morphine allows her to remember her successes (since she obviously lived through whatever encounter it was). It is possible to overdose on morphine if you use too much too quickly, which results in an unconscious dream-Violette and an invitation for Nazis to shoot you. This is where the concept gets confusing and a little too meta -- Violette is already unconscious (she's dreaming this, remember), and morphine makes her dream of being unconscious too?

click to embiggen

When you get close to an enemy, you can activate a contextual kill-move which plays out in a short cutscene. In the demo, Violette had a knife, so we basically saw her stab people in the back from a few different angles. Replay expects there to be between 50 and 60 kill moves in the final game.

For the most part, Velvet Assassin is like Splinter Cell set in World War II, which is actually more interesting that that somewhat dismissive categorization makes it sound. The demo mission tasked Violette with infiltrating a prison compound to deliver a cyanide capsule to a captured British soldier before any information could be tortured out of him. Violette went from the dank cell block into the opulent warden's office, looking through a secret peephole the warden used to watch the torture, being careful to stay in the shadows the whole time. Real-world-inspired environments like those make the stealth gameplay more interesting.

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]]>eieiogamecockreplay-studiossabotagestealthvelvet-assassinJC Fletcher2008-03-12T23:10:00+00:00Gamecock's WWII stealth shooter 'Sabotage' becomes 'Velvet Assassin'http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/01/gamecocks-wwii-stealth-shooter-sabotage-becomes-velvet-assas/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/01/gamecocks-wwii-stealth-shooter-sabotage-becomes-velvet-assas/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/01/gamecocks-wwii-stealth-shooter-sabotage-becomes-velvet-assas/#commentsFiled under: ,


We doubt that many of you had even heard of Sabotage, an up-and-coming Gamecock joint based on the incredible true story of World War II hero (for the Allies, at least) and secret agent extraordinaire Violette Szabo, but we think it's worth mentioning when a game upgrades from a title as generic as "Sabotage" to something unique; something that sounds purchase-worthy. That's why we're totally behind developer Replay Studios' decision to remoniker the stealth action shooter Velvet Assassin.

Lucky Austintonians will get a chance to check out the newly eponymed game at Gamecock's E.I.E.I.O expo this coming Thursday -- the rest of us will have to wait for Velvet Assassin's Fall 2008 release to digitally fill Violette Summers' sneaky leather shoes.

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]]>GamecockGamecockMediaGroupReplay-StudiosReplayStudiosSabotagespystealthVelvet-AssassinviolettevioletteszaboWWIIGriffin McElroy2008-03-01T18:30:00+00:00Rumor: Comprehensive MGS collection coming to PS2http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/rumor-comprehensive-mgs-collection-coming-to-ps2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/rumor-comprehensive-mgs-collection-coming-to-ps2/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/28/rumor-comprehensive-mgs-collection-coming-to-ps2/#commentsFiled under: ,

PS2 owners who are disappointed about their system's dwindling upcoming release list may have at least one more high profile "new" release to look forward to. We put "new" in quotes because this release would actually be a collection of some of the best old games on the system at a great price.

CheapAssGamer has some evidence that Konami is planning to bring Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection to the PS2 on March 18. According to a Play-Asia info page and two purported scans of a fact sheet, the game will include all three Metal Gear Solid games, including the Substance and Subsistence directors cuts of the latter two, all for $29.99. Try beating that with a stick.

While we're sure the four gamers who haven't played these games would be happy with the opportunity to play catch up, we're a little bummed that they couldn't somehow squeeze the Gamecube-exclusive Twin Snakes version of the original Metal Gear Solid into the package. Still, even if you've only missed one or two of these releases, you might want to put this one on your early-year-purchases list.

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]]>Konamimetal-gear-solidMGSMGS2MGS3snake-eatersons-of-libertystealthsubsistencesubstanceKyle Orland2008-01-28T18:30:00+00:00Metal Gear Solid 4 delayed until Q2 2008http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/31/metal-gear-solid-4-delayed-until-q2-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/31/metal-gear-solid-4-delayed-until-q2-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/31/metal-gear-solid-4-delayed-until-q2-2008/#commentsFiled under: ,


Geriatric neck-snapping spy news now, with Konami of Japan announcing a delay in Solid Snake's arrival on the PlayStation 3. The press release coldly increments the previously expected Q1 release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots to Q2 2008, sparing little thought as to the taste of bitter tears and follicle-wrenching pain we had to endure whilst reading it. There's some consolation to be found in the assurance that the delay will allow "further improvements to the quality of the game and provide even greater enjoyment for more customers worldwide."

Konami further promises that pushing Metal Gear Solid 4 into the April-June arrival window will ensure it "meets everyone's expectations." We certainly hope so, as our expectations have been sitting at the airport with nothing to do for years now but read interviews with Ryan Payton.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

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]]>BreakingNewsHideo-KojimaHideoKojimaKonamiMetal-Gear-SolidMetal-Gear-Solid-4MetalGearSolidMGSMGS4StealthLudwig Kietzmann2007-10-31T07:30:00+00:00Metal Gear Online beta starts in Japan this Augusthttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/24/metal-gear-solid-online-beta-starts-in-japan-this-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/24/metal-gear-solid-online-beta-starts-in-japan-this-august/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/24/metal-gear-solid-online-beta-starts-in-japan-this-august/#commentsFiled under: , ,


From the Tokyo-based Metal Gear Solid 20th Anniversary event that spawned a new PSP graphic novel and a cell phone outing for Snake, comes word that 3,000 players will be selected to participate in a beta program for Metal Gear Online. The game, which allows up to 16 players to engage in sneaky neck-snapping shenanigans, will be tested from August 20th until September 3rd.

Players hoping to be included in the beta can apply at the Kojima Productions website as of today -- entries close on August 6th. If you find yourself quite geographically removed from the East, you'd best hope Konami announces a similar program for the rest of the world or, at the very least, a release window for Metal Gear Online.

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]]>BetaKonamiMetalGearOnlineMetalGearSolidMGOStealthLudwig Kietzmann2007-07-24T07:40:00+00:00Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops expansion announcedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-expansion-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-expansion-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-expansion-announced/#commentsFiled under:

If you're the sort who enjoys snapping unsuspecting necks during the train commute to work, you'd be pleased to learn that the PSP's Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops is due for an expansion -- it should distract your future victims long enough to let you indulge in your disgusting and bizarre habit of killing complete strangers. Announced during the PlayStation Premier event in Tokyo, IGN reports that Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops + will primarily revolve around online play with new characters (including old wrinkly Snake) and stages. The only addition to the single-player aspect comes in the form of a mode called "Infinity Mission."

Japan will receive the expansion on September 20th at a price of ¥2,400 yen, along with a ¥4,300 bundle featuring Portable Ops. Keep an eye out for it (and commuting serial killers).

[Via PSP Fanboy]

[Update: A trailer for you to enjoy!]

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]]>BreakingNewsKonamiMetalGearPortableOpsStealthLudwig Kietzmann2007-07-17T10:27:00+00:00Vampire Rain goes gold, hits stores on July 3rdhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/vampire-rain-goes-gold-hits-stores-on-july-3rd/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/vampire-rain-goes-gold-hits-stores-on-july-3rd/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/07/vampire-rain-goes-gold-hits-stores-on-july-3rd/#commentsFiled under: ,


Microsoft has announced that the Xbox 360 will soon be assaulted by moist plasma dependents in the form of Vampire Rain, which has gone gold and will commence its unrestrained display of sucking on July 3rd. Developed by Japan's Artoon (you'll see more of their work in Blue Dragon this August), the game has been summarized by internet pundits in much the same way it was originally pitched in a board meeting: Splinter Cell with vampires and, err, somewhat lower production values.

Those hoping to judge the game for themselves and play the demo can call on any of their Xbox Live friends who happen to have accounts in Japan, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand or Singapore. The absence of a US demo at this stage seems a little suspicious, if only because international impressions indicate that Vampire Rain falls mainly on the plain side of things. That's not something you want people to know when you dangle a $60 game in front of them, now is it?

[Via Microsoft press release]

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]]>ArtoonMicrosoftSplinter CellSplinterCellStealthVampire RainVampireRainLudwig Kietzmann2007-06-07T12:43:00+00:00D'oh! MGS: Portable Ops pulled, missing UK rating on UMDhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/doh-mgs-portable-ops-pulled-missing-uk-rating-on-umd/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/doh-mgs-portable-ops-pulled-missing-uk-rating-on-umd/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/07/doh-mgs-portable-ops-pulled-missing-uk-rating-on-umd/#commentsFiled under:


Originally scheduled to go on sale last Friday, the European release of portable neck-breaking simulator Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops has been delayed due to a rather unfortunate oversight: the omission of the BBFC stamp (think ESRB rating, but with an accent) from the UMD. Apparently, the box proudly displays the appropriate stamp, but the disc packaged inside went out stampless. Retailers were forced to return all copies of the game while (we imagine) the bean counters at Konami snuck up behind the forgetful graphic designer, broke their neck, and shoved 'em in a locker.

[Via PSP Fanboy]

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]]>BBFCMetalGearSolidportableopsretailstealthChristopher Grant2007-05-07T12:21:00+00:00Splinter Cell conViction featured in Finnish gaming maghttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/splinter-cell-conviction-featured-in-finnish-gaming-mag/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/splinter-cell-conviction-featured-in-finnish-gaming-mag/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/03/splinter-cell-conviction-featured-in-finnish-gaming-mag/#commentsFiled under: ,

pelaaja
See what they've done with the "V"? Clever ... sorta. Finnish gaming mag Pelaaja ("Player") has the scoop on Xbox 360's console-exclusive, Splinter Cell V -- er, Splinter Cell Conviction (the title remains unchanged since it was leaked last September).

GamersReports has compiled the first Conviction gameplay details, allegedly translated from the Pelaaja article. Apparently, dear old Sam will be forced out into daylight and, taking a cue from his Ubi-cousin Altaïr, will stick to the crowd instead of the shadows. An internal threat within Third Echelon has supposedly forced Sam to defect from the agency (like, for realz this time) as he attempts to save coworker Anna Grímsdóttir. Two HUD gimmicks will form the backbone of the gameplay: the "hero instinct" gives Sam the ability to track his enemies Predator-style (in infrared); while the "danger meter" acts sorta like Spidey-sense, minus the tingle (then again, Ubisoft could utilize rumble).

Close quarters combat is said to be a lot more "Bourne" this time around, as Sam has apparently shaken off his stiffness through yoga (Downward Dog FTW!), in addition to the training he's received from the alien peacekeeper and pesky webslinger. Coupled with an upgraded physics engine that lets Sam use numerous environmental objects (not just soda cans) to his advantage, Fisher oughtta make short work of that "dynamic" AI. No mention of what's in store for multiplayer -- but we sorta have this hunch...

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]]>360convictionfinlandfinnishpelaajasplinter cellsplinter cell convictionsplinter celll vSplinterCellSplinterCellConvictionSplinterCelllVstealthubisoftxbox 360Xbox360James Ransom-Wiley2007-05-03T12:57:00+00:00Euro Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops gets extras [update 1]http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/pal-metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-gets-extras/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/pal-metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-gets-extras/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/12/pal-metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-gets-extras/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

mgsopsHow's it go? Good things come to those who wait? In April, when Konami releases the European version of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, the wait will be rewarded with new content. Here's a breakdown of the extras (via NeoGAF):
  • New "Boss Battle" mode allows players to unlock additional (unconfirmed) characters for recruitment
  • At least 12 new characters will reportedly be added
  • Existing characters will get expanded careers, which now focus on key attributes
  • Two new multiplayer maps will be added
It's possible that a patch could be released to update the Japanese and US versions of Portable Ops; but if not, PSP's region freedom ensures that diehards will be able to enjoy the new content no matter where their locations. Would you buy this game twice?

Update: changed "PAL" qualifiers to "European."

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]]>KonamiMeatl GearMeatlGearMetal Gear SolidMetal Gear Solid Portable OpsMetalGearSolidMetalGearSolidPortableOpsMGSMGSOPSPortable OpsPortableOpsPSPStealthJames Ransom-Wiley2007-01-12T14:45:00+00:00