Riddle from Kojima

[Julius Seeker]

Displayed on the Metal Gear website

[SineSwiper]

Heh, it's not a riddle. It's just marketing.

Or, the next MGS is going to be on the XBox. See the logo?

[Blotus]

Metal Gear is over. Finished. Concluded. Move on, Konami.

[bovine]

I'm pretty sure it means there are more hour long cutscenes coming.

[Zeus]

Metal Gear is over. Finished. Concluded. Move on, Konami.

After the awesomeness of MGS4 I hope they find a way to do a great 5th one. Sure the one storyline may have mostly ended in MGS4 but they can do much more if they want.

I say this one is either the port of MGS4 to the 360 or a remake for the 360 of one of the PS2 games. I would doubt they'd do an offshoot a la MGS Portable Ops on anything aside from the handhelds

And I'd be willing to give them a shot. The other games in the series were amazing (well, MGS2 was just good)

[Blotus]

You'd really rather another MGS game than something original out of Kojima Studios?

[SineSwiper]

I say this one is either the port of MGS4 to the 360

And let me tell you... I would the first one to rub in "I told you so" in front of all of your faces!

[Blotus]

Because you were the only person to suspect it was heading to 360 just like you were the only person to suspect FF13 might?

[Zeus]

You'd really rather another MGS game than something original out of Kojima Studios?

I don't see why it has to be one or the other

[Zeus]

I say this one is either the port of MGS4 to the 360

And let me tell you... I would the first one to rub in "I told you so" in front of all of your faces!

Even if it is and it comes out in Xmas of 2009 it certainly wouldn't have changed my desire to borrow/rent a PS3 to play it in June 2008. It also will be quite a feat if they pulled it off to the same quality. It's different than the MGS2 port. This time, the 360 hardware is actually inferior, just easy to program for. And if they had to cut stuff to fit on a Blu-Ray, what's gonna happen to the quality of the 360 one? We gonna get a 10-DVD title?

If they had announced the 360 title was coming in June it certainly wouldn't have changed anything. I still don't think it's actually gonna happen but it certainly does seem like one of the real possibilities.

[Blotus]

You'd really rather another MGS game than something original out of Kojima Studios?

I don't see why it has to be one or the other

Side-stepper! Allow me to rephrase: would you rather Kojima Studios spend the next three years it takes them to make a game making something original OR spend three years to make a MG prequel about characters whose fates have already been determined and further fleshes-out (convolutes!) the canon?

[Kupek]

And let me tell you... I would the first one to rub in "I told you so" in front of all of your faces!

For fuck's sake Sine, no one disagreed with you.

[Eric]

WTB new Zone of Enders game.

[Zeus]

You'd really rather another MGS game than something original out of Kojima Studios?

I don't see why it has to be one or the other

Side-stepper! Allow me to rephrase: would you rather Kojima Studios spend the next three years it takes them to make a game making something original OR spend three years to make a MG prequel about characters whose fates have already been determined and further fleshes-out (convolutes!) the canon?

Honestly? Another MGS as they seem to be refining the formula. Aside from MGS2, they've just gotten better. ZOE was the only other original thing they've released since and it ain't exactly anything to write home about IMO. As much as I like new, different stuff, when you can put out something of the quality of MGS4, keep doin' it.

But I do worry a little bit about it since Kojima ain't gonna be directly involved with the next one.

[SineSwiper]

WTB new Zone of Enders game.

No shit!

And Kupek, I do remember quite a few people disagreeing with me when I brought up the subject. People like Zeus, Seeker, and in part, you, Kupek.

[Blotus]

But I do worry a little bit about it since Kojima ain't gonna be directly involved with the next one.

We'll see about that.

[Kupek]

(Notice I'm not arguing it won't happen, just that there is a valid reason not to do it.)

We all know there is a good chance MGS4 will come to the 360. You act like you're the only one who thinks it will probably happen.

[bovine]

possible alternate theory = AC!D on XBLA

[Julius Seeker]

Actually, the green colour doesn't necessarilly = xbox, since it is the regular MGS font. The symbol it is pointing to is a power symbol with an exclamation mark: anyone with a Wii, take a look at the symbol on wiimote, and on the console itself. Now note the i/! symbols, they're fairly central to Nintendo and Metal Gear. If you have Brawl for the Wii, take a look at one of the characters, probably the most popular l character to use, and not Nintendo's.

[Zeus]

WTB new Zone of Enders game.

No shit!

And Kupek, I do remember quite a few people disagreeing with me when I brought up the subject. People like Zeus, Seeker, and in part, you, Kupek.

I still don't think it's gonna happen but it is certainly a real possibility. Stance hasn't changed much. You just seem to think it's inevitable and that I vehemtly disagree with

[Kupek]

Other possibilities are DSi and iPhone.

[Julius Seeker]

iPhone is an incredibly strong possibility; that's all I can say right now.

[Zeus]

Other possibilities are DSi and iPhone.

Konami is very much into the portables. Would make sense to see another one.

Now that I think about it, a port of MGS3 at this time would be silly unless it's a downloadable game. I'll go with a portable one as probably the biggest possibility right now. iPhone though? I would think the PSP or DSi (maybe that's what the "i" part is in the riddle? The ! representing Metal Gear? Just like Seek was alluding to in his post above) is a much stronger possibility.

[Kupek]

As bovine pointed out, Konami spelled Metal Gear Acid as "METAL GEAR AC!D", so...

Good job, Kojima. You've gotten me to talk about the future of a series I haven't played in seven years.

[bovine]

iphone + ac!d = cutscenes?

[SineSwiper]

Actually, the green colour doesn't necessarilly = xbox, since it is the regular MGS font. The symbol it is pointing to is a power symbol with an exclamation mark: anyone with a Wii, take a look at the symbol on wiimote, and on the console itself. Now note the i/! symbols, they're fairly central to Nintendo and Metal Gear. If you have Brawl for the Wii, take a look at one of the characters, probably the most popular l character to use, and not Nintendo's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_Association

[Zeus]

Good job, Kojima. You've gotten me to talk about the future of a series I haven't played in seven years.

You have a PS2, no? Do yourself a favour and get the collection for your holiday break....then borrow a PS3 and MGS4. Other than the second, they're all awesome games, some of the best of their generations. The second was merely very good but just not as good as the others. And you need to play #2 to fully appreciate the awesomeness of #4. It really tied up the entire series quite well

[Zeus]

Actually, the green colour doesn't necessarilly = xbox, since it is the regular MGS font. The symbol it is pointing to is a power symbol with an exclamation mark: anyone with a Wii, take a look at the symbol on wiimote, and on the console itself. Now note the i/! symbols, they're fairly central to Nintendo and Metal Gear. If you have Brawl for the Wii, take a look at one of the characters, probably the most popular l character to use, and not Nintendo's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_Association

I've tried these kinds of links, they don't work. You gotta be more blunt

[Kupek]

I'm making my way through DQ8 right now. MGS3 is a good suggestion for a next game, though.

[Zeus]

I'm making my way through DQ8 right now. MGS3 is a good suggestion for a next game, though.

Followed closely by MGS4 :-)

[RentCavalier]

I'm making my way through DQ8 right now. MGS3 is a good suggestion for a next game, though.

How far are you in DQ8? You've been playing it for awhile now.

[Kupek]

About 20 hours in. I just glanced at a FAQ, and I'm about 40% done with the main story. I don't play games much these days.

[bovine]

out of all the things it could have been, it was the lamest of them all.

[Tessian]

out of all the things it could have been, it was the lamest of them all.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... today is a good day to not be a fan of this franchise... good god. THAT qualifies as a big announcement??

Next Announcement: MGS for your Ti-88 Calculator! MGS the "Make-Your-Own-Adventure" book!

[Julius Seeker]

Metal Gear Solid Touch, for iPhone.

It was either going to be that or Wii by the puzzle given. People here who wanted it to be Xbox 360 were seeing what they wanted to see but ignoring the obvious; which I outlined in an earlier post.

The iPhone is a serious competitor now with over 2 million downloads from the app store per day (and rising); it's one place where small developers have already been making great profits; especially since you can get a game on there and cut out all the middle men, it's developer right to the store, and they only take a 30% cut, developer gets 70%.

[Imakeholesinu]

If it was coming to the 360 they should have had 3 red rings around it.

[Lox]

If it was coming to the 360 they should have had 3 red rings around it.

That'd have been way too obvious! haha

[Kupek]

I actually think it's a bigger deal for Apple than for Konami.

[Zeus]

I actually think it's a bigger deal for Apple than for Konami.

I agree

[Julius Seeker]

I would say definitely bigger than Konami. It's going to get Konami money and recognition among App Store users. It's more like a drop in the bucket for Apple's App Store; the thing is HUGE now (as I said, 2 million downloads per day, and already over 10,000 apps available).

[Lox]

Except from what I've read, the iPhone app store is full of shovelware and crap. It's much like the DS library in that there are a few shining gems, but the rest is junk that just clutters it up and inflates the number of available games. If the iPhone wants to stay relevant, they need big name games like this. That's why I'd consider it a bigger deal for Apple, also.

[Kupek]

I say it's bigger for Apple because it indicates they're serious about trying to make the iPhone a legit gaming platform. That a franchise like MGS is coming to it sends a signal to the rest of the industry.

[Zeus]

Except from what I've read, the iPhone app store is full of shovelware and crap. It's much like the DS library in that there are a few shining gems, but the rest is junk that just clutters it up and inflates the number of available games. If the iPhone wants to stay relevant, they need big name games like this. That's why I'd consider it a bigger deal for Apple, also.

Hey, now, the DS has a shitton of good to excellent games. It has been consistently the best platform for good games across multiple genres for 3 years. Yes, there's lots of utter crap that you wouldn't even want to use as toilet paper but it's not nearly in proportion to the iPhone stuff. Does the iPhone even have a must-have game on it?

And there reason there's so many apps on the iPhone store is 'cause it's basically open source. Anyone can get anything published on it, there's very little regulation and nothing like what Nintendo or Sony has for their portables. And I'm very curious of the breakdown these 2M downloads and how many are actually games, how many are free apps, etc.

[Tessian]

Except from what I've read, the iPhone app store is full of shovelware and crap. It's much like the DS library in that there are a few shining gems, but the rest is junk that just clutters it up and inflates the number of available games. If the iPhone wants to stay relevant, they need big name games like this. That's why I'd consider it a bigger deal for Apple, also.

You meant the Wii, right? I always considered the Wii to have a LOT more shovelware than DS

[bovine]

Except from what I've read, the iPhone app store is full of shovelware and crap. It's much like the DS library in that there are a few shining gems, but the rest is junk that just clutters it up and inflates the number of available games. If the iPhone wants to stay relevant, they need big name games like this. That's why I'd consider it a bigger deal for Apple, also.

You meant the Wii, right? I always considered the Wii to have a LOT more shovelware than DS

I think they're both pretty close. All those shitty ubisoft babiez games came out on the ds first (or possibly the gba).

[SineSwiper]

I say it's bigger for Apple because it indicates they're serious about trying to make the iPhone a legit gaming platform. That a franchise like MGS is coming to it sends a signal to the rest of the industry.

They can try, just like the PSP. And just like the PSP, they will ultimately fail.

The only way this can be consider "good news" in the long run is if it was for the Android. The phone industry desperately needs to conform to an open-source OS standard. Java was supposed to something like that type of platform, but it just doesn't work as well as it should.

If portable gaming is going to migrate to cell phones, it needs to move to more than one platform without conversion. I don't want to be stuck with fucking Apple phones. I want a choice.

[Zeus]

The PSP failed as a gaming platform? Not really, man. It may not touch the DSs numbers but it's doing well enough for itself to be getting some great titles

[Julius Seeker]

You can't really compare the app store to the PSP. The app store is more like a PC software store; or in real world terms, a mall where locals can buy things that they want or can use. Gaming industry success was inevitable on the iPhone considering its popularity.

Anyway, I'm going to bet right now that the iPhone Metal Gear will blow the PSP version out of the water in terms of sales.

As for the mobile market, the main reason it has not been very successful is because it's a pain in the ass to develop for. For J2ME the most popular phone in North America for gaming is the RAZR v3, in Europe it is the Nokia N70, these phones blow; if you ask anyone in mobile what devices usually return the most problems it is going to be those two. Then there are hundreds of other phones with different resolutions, different hardware specs, and different interfaces, all of which have to be taken into consideration when doing a port; and there are often a lot of ports involved (not to mention BREW ports for verizon's vcast).

Lox - The app store is only a few months old. The SDK's were only released this year. More robust titles are on the way (There's a Sim City title coming that will probably be interesting).

Kupek - To say that Metal Gear is making other developers take notice that owould imply that other developers already hadn't noticed the potential.


Anyway, I applaud the fact that iPhone is taking off the way it is; it's the top phone in North America, and will eventually be the top phone on the planet. There's only one build that developers have to worry about, and the app store set-up is in such a way that developers are making large profits; it is the easiest method I can think of where small developers are able to get notice and actually sell their product at the same time as being a place where large developers are making money; in the first 20 days of the app store's existence, Monkey Ball sold 300,000 copies at 10 bucks (that's 2.1 million directly to Sega) - a guy on his spare time created Trism which made him $250,000 in the first two months, more money than he had made in his lifetime before that. Whether you like apple or not, you have to respect what they have done here.

[Tessian]

Thanks Seek, I always love reading posts with you talking completely out of your ass... I swear at this point you must have taught it to type on its own. You take one article, one piece of information, and run 50 miles in a random direction with it acting like this is FACT that you know cause you're an expert.

Can an ass get carpal tunnel?

[SineSwiper]

Actually, I thought it was one of the most sane posts he's written in a while. That said:

Then there are hundreds of other phones with different resolutions, different hardware specs, and different interfaces, all of which have to be taken into consideration when doing a port; and there are often a lot of ports involved (not to mention BREW ports for verizon's vcast).

Wow. You mean like, oh, I dunno, PC gaming? In terms of the ports, that's why I was talking about Android. We need an open and universal OS for everybody to develop for. It's bad enough that we have 7-10 different cell phone providers, each with their own separate and incompatible networks, selling many different phones, with their own separate and incompatible OSs.

This is how it should work: you buy a phone, ANY FUCKING PHONE, and it works on ANY FUCKING NETWORK! They might have different layouts, or different ways of spanning the keyboard, or different input devices, but it's all on the same underlying OS, so when you download an app, ANY FUCKING APP, it works for your phone or any other.

We shouldn't have to buy expensive phones every year. It seems like the upgrade prices for cell phones/plans are getting worse than upgrades for a gaming PC.

Anyway, I applaud the fact that iPhone is taking off the way it is; it's the top phone in North America, and will eventually be the top phone on the planet. There's only one build that developers have to worry about, and the app store set-up is in such a way that developers are making large profits; it is the easiest method I can think of where small developers are able to get notice and actually sell their product at the same time as being a place where large developers are making money

Again, it's just one phone and one platform for people to build. Apple is trying to do what Apple does best: pretend that they invented the idea and try to monopolize the market. (Funny how MS and Apple are so similar.) Blackberry had downloadable applications for years before the iPhone.

I love my Blackberry Curve. You obviously love your iPhone. However, I should be able to use the same apps you have. Fine, some apps need the "shaking" ability to work, and so be it. However, it's an OS issue, not an input issue. iPhone apps are incompatible with Blackberry phones, and visa-versa.

And before we get into console comparisons, remember that smart phones are quickly becoming vastly multi-functional devices. They are, for all practical purposes, mini-computers. And unlike consoles, there are MANY phones to choose from, each with their own style and flavors of inputs. Until recently, their independant and isolated nature wasn't really a problem. Now, with the apps and add-ons, and potential for gaming, internet, wifi, GPS, etc., being able to talk to each other in the same language is a big deal. Blackberry hasn't really solved much with its own monopoly, but until the Curve or Storm, it was mostly isolated to business functionality.

However, the iPhone worries me. No smart phone has a bigger market share than the iPhone. I see it everywhere. Apple's original goal has always been to try to monopolize the computer market. Since Microsoft took that away from them many years ago, they have finally found something that gives them a major foothold into monopolizing a market. And that fucking scares me.

If standards don't come into play soon, you will only be left with one phone to buy. (Hell, it's already happening within AT&T. Ask a AT&T rep, and they'll tell you that the phone selection is either a bunch of crap or the iPhone.)