XboxFamily, the source of recent rumors- unfounded and true- has posted an interesting article that if not true, was no doubt a good idea for the New Years traffic counter.

The site reports that "This is not a rumor, This is straight from a Konami distribution representative's mouth. The game is already in production and has been since early 2007." Why is it that all of a sudden, major game announcements are apparently being leaked to such small outlets? Very odd.

It is reported -again- that this is not a rumor, and it is confirmed that the Xbox 360 will see Solid Snake's last installment exactly 12-14 months after its PS3 debut. I guess Sony secured a full year's exclusivity then, no?…

The writer of the piece states that he contacted Microsoft/GamerScoreBlog's John Porcaro, and received a rather lengthy response ( dodging the question entirely, of course). That response follows:

"Thanks for the heads up [name removed]. For anything that resembles any shift in strategy, or product announcement, or even news of something happening with a third party, we're always going to stick with "we haven't announced anything about " Every day we see rumors, most false, but some true, and we can't confirm/deny everything out there for any number of reasons.

Publishing rumors doesn't rub us the wrong way. If it weren't for sites publishing rumors, there wouldn't be much for most sites to talk about J. There really only are a few things that will rub us the wrong way: publishing content given under NDA, getting/publishing confidential information from people who are under NDA, invading/hacking systems where confidential information is housed without permission to gather information, making false/racial/sexual/inappropriate personal attacks, deliberately publishing false/misleading information, you get the idea.

As for retailers/employees/partners intentionally leaking information, we pay rather close attention to how/when those occur. If it happens that one site happens to get regular access to confidential information, I end up getting bombarded with questions from around the company about the relationship we have with the site, with what kind of access we're giving the site, etc. Not pleasant for my team, especially because we're doing everything we can to help community, not limit their access in any way.

I appreciate the note. I certainly will share everything I can, and I'll often rattle enough cages to get to an acceptable answer. In this case, there's really nothing we can say other than the obligatory "no comment."

Ah, how I love "no comment". It's no secret at all that this rumor was probably the second biggest one of 2007- next to the hardware speculations, but time and time again it has been proven false- numerous times by Hideo Kojima himself. Could a second team at Konami be at work on the title? Absolutely. If true, is that what is probably happening? Doubtful- this project is the last one of the series, not likely to be handed off to a second development team.

I think everyone can agree that if this is true, and it's waiting to be announced, Konami may just have a reason to after they see what happens with Devil May Cry 4 from Capcom come February. 2008- not 12 hours in and we already have the biggest rumor of the year making a return. I'll call it now, provided the evidence given is truthful: MGS4 to release alongside HDDVD-equipped Xbox 360 2.0- confirmed. Cross the fingers, folks.~

[Update]- Interesting, and not so surprising twist on the story. TheGamerReviews claim to have spoken to Konami directly about the rumor, and when the company learned of the claim, they were about as in-the-know about it as the site that broke the news, it seems. Konami issued a statement of "For the record, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is a PlayStation 3 exclusive and there are no plans to develop an Xbox 360 version of the game."

Vedlegion

Guess what, Konami isnt capcom, they are not Rockstar, They are not Valve, Ne are they any other company besides Konami and its inner groups such as Konami Productions.

Just wanted to point that out there.

MenoJazz

rexor0717

Enigma_20XX

Super

superdynamite

superdynamite

superdynamite

sonybru

By time MGS4 is released there will be even more PS3's out there so I don't think Konami need to go multiplatform with this title to recoup their dev costs.

This will sell a LOT of PS3's too.

MS are just continuing their F.U.D. campaign to try and make people uncertain about buying a PS3.

Mister_G

Sugaray

Sugaray

OT79

WarlockSoL

I remember back when cartridge releases accompanied CD releases... now THAT was a large size difference. yet it got done anyway.

DimensionWarped

lootenplunder

LucasKane

Smadubaku

I'd take issue however with the 'platform X is shit' suggestion you appear to have thrown my way. I've nothing against the 360 and my kids have worn out 2 dozen AAs in their Wiimotes.

I'd also stand by my view that the present 360 lineup wouldn't be able to cope with a 'like-for-like' port of MGS4. It looks like the game will fill most of a 50gb Blu-Ray and will take a sizeable chunk of HDD to reduce loading times. To get anywhere near this on a 360:

1) 1080p or uncompressed audio (or possibly
both) would have to
2) Four (or five) DVD9s would be required - or a huge amount of HDD space, the latter of which would immediately exclude a hell of a lot of 360 SKUs

This, together with the danger that (judging by the success of the last last port) 360 owners don't appear to have much time for MGS4, the investment required by Konami in rebuilding the game from scratch would represent somewhat of a gamble.

Personally, I think MS should have backed HD-DVD game support earlier when they had the chance (at least for the Elite but probably for the Premium too). This would have rendered my points above pretty much redundant.

Sony appear to have taken a longer-term view in terms of functionality (and reliability), which looks like it might pay off over the next 12 months. True, there were too many PS3 SKUs last year, but there's nowt between them in terms of Game support (ignoring BC of course).

I know that an internal HD-DVD is now being talked about for the fabled 'Ultimate' version of the 360, but that'll just upset everyone who has to spend yet more cash bringing their machine up to date - way to alienate most of your user base, MS!

stussygalore

There is no current evidence to suggest MGS4 is going to be on 360, but the majority thinks it is? Mind-boggling.

Jasonlydon

Well as a developer with experience of both platforms, I think that's nonsense. If Konami wanted MGS4 on Xbox 360 they could certainly make it happen without the "serious compromises" you suggest.

I personally don't understand why videogame enthusiasts such as those who frequent Kotaku daily would care about platform advocacy or any of that schoolyard nonsense. Instead of just shouting at each other and calling each other fanboys, let's state the obvious once and for all:

- There really isn't much between Xbox 360 and PS3 at all. Anyone who says otherwise is speaking outside of their sphere of knowledge.
- Buy whichever platform has the games you want to play, if you can afford it.
- If you are a videogames enthusiast, adopting any kind of "platform X is shit" position is ludicrous. They ALL have decent games worth playing and if you're a fan of videogames you owe it to yourself to own all the consoles (if you can afford it).
- All the official sources have stated, many times now, that Metal Gear Solid 4 is a PS3 exclusive title. We know that. It's been confirmed. It's a fact. Let's all look forward to playing it on PS3. If you want to play it in 2008, buy a PS3.
- Nothing about the aforementioned exclusivity procludes the possibility of an Xbox 360 port at a later date. Neither does it prevent Konami from having a number of people investigating the possibility right now. It's entirely possible, and if you are a PS3 owner and Metal Gear Solid fan you certainly shouldn't be disappointed by the merest hypothetical suggestion that more people will get to play MGS4. More commercial success for the game ensures more money for future sequels. It is in the interests of the industry and gamers alike to see good games be successful.
- Unless you have a runaway hit on your hands, for most independent videogame developers it makes no commercial sense at all to be exclusive to one platform. Expect many titles currently exclusive to Xbox 360 to appear on PS3 in the future, and vice versa.

kiigan

It just couldn't handle it without some serious compromises in content and quality, so it'd end up a mere shadow of the PS3 version. Is that really what the XBoxers want?

Konami have spoken, by the way...

[www.kotaku.com.au]

stussygalore

Given the way the industry is now, platform exclusivity seems almost suicidal for any company.

inphanta

TelL hIm aBoUt tHe cIrClEs

Darien_Shields

cakeordeath

ExxonAmadeus

GorbyGipper wins the topic. The rest of you disapoint me.

Robbotron

giovonti

giovonti

giovonti

There should be a new poll!

Will Metal Gear Solid 4 Be GOTY 2008?

1. Yes.

2. Hell Yeah!

3. Quite Possibly.

4. Maybe...

5. NOOOOOOOOOOO, CUZ ITZ ON TEH PS3!!!!1!111

6. Nope.

Because you know, in the end, no matter what happens, this game is going to kick ass.

Saint Anima

StolenName

rocsflight

Throw in how little PS3 titles are selling, and it makes porting to PC or 360 even more tempting (or required), I'd imagine.

For those of you who are really upset by these rumors one way or another, maybe you should take a step back and re-evaluate life.

It seems like some people would rather see this title become vaporware than be released on "the enemy console." It's just foolish.

Devil May Cry 4...multiplatform. PS3 owners still seem excited enough at the prospect of playing it. Should Metal Gear be any different?

GorbyGipper

3 words: Microsoft Game Studios

Detha

Enigma_20XX

neoyaku

Phester

smeee

Weasel3689

agustin2489

ckranger11

That would make releasing it on the 360 an even worse idea that means they probably would have to spend way more money porting it then selling it!

mgs 4 will definitely reach its 1 mil goal in a day! Metal gear is the most acclaimed series of all time and that's a fact! Don't forget that mgs4 would be one of the reason people will be getting a ps3 for.

cssblur

Why do some want to deprive Xbox 360-only owners of what is supposed to be a good game?

Me? I don't give a crap. MGS was never my thing.

ckranger11

MobileMilitia

so using that excuse, how is mgs4 any more of a mistake to keep exclusive than gears of war, halo 3 or mass effect? this is one of the huge games that people are waiting for before they get a ps3 (just look at the famitsu most wanted charts), konami know it wont have any problem shipping 1m copies of this game.

lordofsword

pixelsword

BPMΣ

EVENTUALLY!

Frank

jackal27

rojo

Samicham85

Then again, that was Capcom, and this is Konami...

Etheo

dv8godd

Soldier_CLE

Soldier_CLE

dv8godd

gatormatt

Zombie Bear

If and when he uses it, do you think he will say something along the lines of "Hulk... SMASH!?!@!"

Oddly, I always wanted to have a moment in the office, where I could say that... >:p

Soldier_CLE

If you are able to pay for a gaming system and it's peripherals and games at 60 bucks a pop (some now plus for the limited editions), then why complain? I'm all for exclusives because it keeps things competitive and prevents a monopoly. You see, in the 1980s, we were subjected to that, and it brought less competition, less say to the developers and overall shoddy practices, like the advent of the 10PIN chip in the North American NES.

As long as there are multiple systems with different strengths, there will always be developers that can explore different games and genres that cater to gamers of all types.

Fanfare for games makes about as much sense as fanfare for politics. Think about it.

Soldier_CLE

dv8godd

Qbanboi

Dingo Devious

batdrox

Cormier6083

does witz yet have the hammer? there's so very much purging to be done here....look at how many trolls there are, on this page alone.

TheIrishNinja

A timed one.

Marlor

Soldier_CLE

Detha

So really there's no way of telling.

Detha

FP Shindokie

mgs4 is ps3 exclusive

mgs4:sustenance is not

Grumpz®

Also i saw some people complaining about how is this news? Uh.. its a FUCKING blog. They aren't some big end news game site like ign or 1up. They can post polls if they want to sheesh. You don't have to come in here and post about it and then wonder why you can't comment later. It doesn't matter if i say since people are still going to do it.

FP Shindokie

u_nick

On record, I will say that the best gaming system I ever owned was never natively a game system, it was a computer. That is not to say that I don't go shilling out thousands of dollars on gaming systems, peripherals, games and of course, faulty equipment.

Trolling? or Cynicism? I just call it like I see it, buddy...

Soldier_CLE

TheIrishNinja

so yes...kind of.

TheIrishNinja

Soldier_CLE

michaelb1

Oyn

Soldrak

Soldrak

OT79

Soldrak

Your stated reasons are arguably the most logical arguement that I have currently deduced. There are too many complications that come up with what would arguably be a huge risk for bringing out an attempt to make MGS4-RRoD Version come to fruition.

The only reason why I believe the XBox came out with MGS2 is because at the time, the XBox had a superior hardware scheme to the PS2, which is why you can explain certain enhancements to the graphics in that version. Even though the PS3 doesn't (currently) have a graphics scaling chip, it is intended for play on 1080p, which for most of us, means that we will be playing the game at it's best intended resolution. Add the way that the game will intended to play on the DualShock 3, and you have yourself what is for all intensive purposes, a PS3 exclusive.

What makes me not believe that this game wouldn't come to the RRoD270 is that aside from the game storage, and the method of data transfer, the method of graphics processing and other doo-dad doo-dad jargon speak is the overall feel of the game. From my own experiences playing MGS2 on both the PS2 and XBox, I can say that it just felt different, with the Dualshock 2 controller being more natural for the gameplay. The XBox version is what I'd imagine it'd play like if it were ported to the Sega DreamCast. The XBox port had nice things added to it, but I still found the original system to have the better overall experience.

By this thesis, I'd also imagine that if Halo(Insert a number) would ever be released to Sony or Nintendo, that the same effect would occur. Oh sure, you might be amused for the first few minutes, but then you realize that things are a tad awkward to your familiar control scheme. It just wouldn't be the same. (Think about when you played Mario Bros. on an emulator with your keyboard for an idea of what I mean...)

Soldier_CLE

davahsa

hageshiku

tk.

Smadubaku

Balmut

l337fox

Oh really, than why does it seem as graphics get better on the Xbox360, the amount of action on screen goes down. Like Gears of War, bioshock and Mass Effect.

When the amount of action on screen goes up, the graphics quality goes down like Halo3.

Thats obviously CPU limitation and same thing happens on the PC. processing power is much more important for smooth gaming than a graphics card.

Viet0ne

Viet0ne

Huxle

For one, who says the game wont sell well on the PS3. If it only sells 1 million, thats $60 per game and thats already 60 million which is more than enough to cover the costs of development. Granted it going to sell well over 1 million and therefore will easily make more than enough profit.

Anyone who says it would be cheap to port the game is wrong. You cant port a game, designed with the Cell in mind, Designed with Blu-ray in mind and designed for systems that has a hard drive in place as a standard and still expect the game to be ported easily.

The costs would be well near the cost of the PS3 game because of the fact that over 5000 lines of script and thousands more audio tracks would have to be re-encoded to a reduced bit-rate to fit on multiple DVDs, when the game is completed, they will have to allocate certain data on certain DVDs because replication would be a total nightmare, why have audio for certain things on a DVD that a part of the game wont use.

So, would it be worth it for Kojima to do a remake of a game that will be in fact, an inferior version no matter what, that people wont buy because of the said fact. Get over it, if you want MGS4, the only place where your going to get the game the way it was meant is the PS3.

Viet0ne

This also goes for Square-Enix as well. If they don't want a year or two to make a profit on the game, they NEED the 360.

otakuman5000

Harteex

Smadubaku

Q80

dv8godd

tk.

tk.

Smadubaku

WHY ARE SO MANY KOTAKU WRITERS XBOX FANBOYS

SHUT UP

YOU GUYS GOT IT WRONG. YOU'RE JUST GONA KEEP BRINING IT UP EVERY TIME YOU SEE SOME STUPID RUMOR

PINK UNICORN

Metal Gear Solid 4: Sub-par Port for Xbox 360

Having the three current-gens, I really don't want to see a sub-par version for the RRoD 270, as I am compelled to believe Kojima when he says that it is using ALL of the Blu-Ray's storage capacity. Even if MS changed their position about an HD-DVD gaming plaform, it still would take a few discs to match one Blu-Ray disc in terms of capacity.

Now, to appease the RRoDers out there, I would believe that Konami would throw together some sidestory that would be inferior to the MGS4 release. And no, I doubt it'd feature the new and improved Raiden. Lisa Campbell's sidestory, maybe..?

Soldier_CLE

Metal Gear has always been a bigger seller outside of Japan. It was never that popular in Japan. Putting it on 360 makes a hell of a lot more sense. It would be idiotic not to.

NoBullet

Wubbytoes

Sorry. Family Guy joke.

Smadubaku

Cause nothing is impossible for Pirates \o_ har har har

=(

WaRchiLd

Anyway, ya the wording is wierd. But I voted right, i think. MGS4 will most likely be on Xbox 360. But I am thinking it is on a wait and see status. But seeing how they just denounced the new year rumor, dont expect to hear an Xbox 360 announcement at any trade shows that may or may not be coming up.

Justcrim

Candlejack

Smadubaku

ManjiKengo

D00mM4r1n3

I'll play it on the system it comes to first. Not interested in waiting a year for it. I'm a fan of the series, so I'm going to play it instead of bitching about the platforms.

There's no longer any "exclusives" to third party developers. There's "timed exclusives." All developers preparing for a timed exclusive find it in their best interests and contractual obligations to make comments like "there are currently no plans to develop x game on x console." That's common sense. When people immediately found code within Bioshock that referred to a PS3 version of Bioshock, there was a reason for that. It doesn't mean they're going to come out and admit to it. They will announce it when the terms of the contract with MS are up. I think it's funny that poeple demand that they should be made aware by a developer if they plan to port to another console when a cpntract is up. Guess what? They aren't going to say anything.

So aside from hardware limitations, any third party that owns the IP would be stupid to agree to anything that isn't timed unless they're being paid a pretty huge chunk of change.

However, there are some major developers out there that believe in prolonging a hardware battle, giving all consoles a little love, and are intentionally creating truly exclusive content for the three consoles. Square is one of them. They don't want to see a clear console winner. They've come out and said as much and it's clear from what they have done. Maybe Konami is feeling the same way...

Smadubaku

artofwar420

Na, I think it will eventually come to the 360 and I have all 3 consoles as well as hate MGS as a whole. I dont even want it on the PS3. I just cant see konami making it only for one console, but hey, its entirely possible.

RuneX

If Konami feels like merging with some other Japanese company in their fiscal year, then sure, make Metal Gear a PS3 exclusive.

Phoenicks

kingme

devilhunterx

You mean "Substance"? "Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence" was never ported to another system. It stayed on PS2. Sony is most likely willing to pay Konami big bucks to keep MGS4 a perpetual PS3 exclusive as they expect the game to be a system seller.

MGS4 is an investment for Sony. Sony's games division is in too deep to pull out now, and is willing to dip further into the red in the short-term by paying through the nose for an exclusive in order to expand their install base and rocket into the black in future years.

MrSmiff

But besides can MGS4 fit an a single DVD or would Konami do multi disc?
Also according to Wikipedia as of Sept 30 about 5.59 PS3s have been SOLD. I am totally sure that MGS4 will pull off a million sales. Considering it's popularity the game will probably propel the PS3 upwards.

ColdHeat

Then MGS2: Substance rolled in on PS2, Xbox and PC.

Now, this may happen on 360 for MGS4.

You never know.

Yami

robinhood1013

In other news, most gamers patrolling the internet are idiots.

PapaBear434

HALO 3 is coming to the PS3!!!!

robinhood1013

batdrox

Cell based Nanogears will then be attacking Microsoft and Xbox 360 from the inside out! ...I can't wait to see Xbox 360 users vomiting and killing each other! ;)

Monarky

Samicham85

chaos242

you are right!!
Did you see the MGS saga 20th anniversary translated video if not check it out [www.youtube.com]
then let me know who you think the narrator could be ^_^

king0v10GU

Strangelove

WeZz

RaepGoblin

HigglyPiggly

Solidius

BtB by March Sony would have sold around 10 million -11 million PS3's World wide when MGS4 is released in June it would have increased by a fair margin. PS3 is selling like hotcakes in Japan and PS3 install base is almost equal to the 360 install base in EU. Not only that the PS3 is still slowly catching up to the 360 in America. These are the things Konami is actually looking at.

king0v10GU

Hylian

Konami will break and eventually put it on the 360 so it'll sell in America.

Absent Blue

I think it's possible that it might show up one day on the 360 (although it would probably have a different subtitle).
I don't really care that much if it does/does not though.

Harteex

The only thing I hate MORE than this undying rumor is MGS itself.

Here's the deal- as I see it. If you LOVE MGS so damn much, you probably own a PS3. In the same way that if you love Halo- you already own a 360. So- the fight comes down to the 'rub it in the face of the other guy' factor. Is MGS4 coming to 360? "I sure hope so- so I can say "I told you so" to all my other 13 yr. old friends!".

If you want the game SO badly- you can buy a PS3. If you don't want the game, but just want to rub it in the face of somebody else... oh dear god- grow up. AND lastly, if you want MGS4 BUT don't want a Sony machine...

you'll likely get your chance when MGS4: Sabotage comes out in 2010 when Kojima realizes that the PS3 market didn't get him his damn money back for MGS4 SOP.

And to this question: Why wouldn't MGS fit on a 360?? The entire game is monochromatic with terribly stiff animation... my only guess would be the 849 hours of 5.1 preaching Snake does to... other snake. That might do it...

GameChad

天

d43

mossberg

Kotaku will be available on Weblogs Inc. !!!
Not Gawker Media exclusive!!! LIARS!!!
OMG I READ GIZMODO FOR THIS TFSU n00blet!!

EL_RIEL

batdrox

Proto_Man

Deltakiral

Trowble (XBL/PSN)

XAnthonyX

correction:

Konami: MGS4 is exclusive
Kojima: MGS4 is exclusive
Sony: MGS4 is exclusive
**Microsoft (Peter Moore): MGS 4 is exclusive

there ya go

Sparx

McBonk

BUT I HOPE IT WILL REMAIN EXCLUSIVE!!! whats the point of owning a ps3.. :( .. i mean i love Gran Turismo. but but.. i wanna rub MGS4 on the xbox fanboys..

BTW i have the PSWii60 combo, so no PS fanboy.. nintendo fanboy yeah!

EL_RIEL

An MGS4 port for 360 means nothing more to me than that I'm probably going to buy it twice.

Boo hoo everyone, more poeple could potentially enjoy a great game.

Robbotron

the PS3 is selling at the same rate as the 360 - in half the time, it's sold half as many units, and this was mostly at a higher price and with fewer games that both it or the 360 has had from this summer and into 2008. by next winter it's extremely unlikely that the PS3 wont have sold around 15m units. that's exactly where the 360 was when exclusives like halo 3 and mass effect were released. so how exactly is konami any different in releasing a game exclusively for the ps3 when it's actually likely to have more users by its release than the 360 does now?

there has never once been a remotely believable rumour about mgs4 leaving the ps3 - just lies, made up stories, misquotes, etc, the only solid facts we have are konami saying again and again that it 100% is a PS3 exclusive and always will be.

lordofsword

el bryanto

The internet: OMG TEH MGS IZ MULTIPLATFRMZZZZZ.

Really, guys. Enough.

~

Hiroken