MGS4 Rumored for Xbox 360
MGS4 Rumored for Xbox 360
Is Konami forcing Kojima's hand?
by Douglass C. Perry
December 18, 2006 - With Microsoft's one-year-old console gaining a steady install base in North America and Europe, Konami executives have switched their positions on an outright Metal Gear Solid 4-PlayStation 3 exclusive, telling Hideo Kojima to bring the game to Xbox 360, says Electronic Gaming Monthly in its December issue.
One year ago Konami's Hideo Kojima was quoted as saying that Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots was technically possible on Xbox 360. Now it's not only technically possible, it's perhaps financially feasible as well. EGM's rumor mill produced the short article and it's worth noting that no sources were supplied, no quotes were given, and no reasoning was provided behind the alleged move. It's pure rumor, one that Konami executives have refused to comment on or entertain in public since the game's announcement on PlayStation 3. When contacted today, Konami officials said "These are just rumors."
Still, the notion that MGS4 could come to Xbox 360 makes a little more sense today than it did four months ago. Back then, we couldn't see the state of disarray that Sony was in. Now, with Sony's rough launch, limited unit numbers and high price tag, perhaps Konami executives are seeing how fiscally prudent an Xbox 360 version would be. That doesn't mean it is happening. It's still just a rumor; but one worth mulling over.
The cons of such an argument are many. Sony and Konami are long-time partners. Metal Gear Solid 3 never came to Xbox, as MGS2 sold unimpressive numbers. But MGS4 is a technical showcase and a guaranteed system-mover for Sony. The series has been one of Sony's biggest weapons since MGS on PlayStation and even more so with MGS2 on PS2. Pundits and industry analysts say that Sony is working with Konami with both technical and financial means to keep the exclusive secure.
But so what? Contracts have limits. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas came to Xbox, and GTA4 is coming day and date to Xbox 360 with the PS3 version. Other Japanese publishers are considering the weight of Xbox 360 and are shifting their own once-Sony exclusives to Xbox 360, too. (We'll have more on that later.) The most likely scenario, if this rumor has any legs to it, is that Konami has signed a contract with Sony restricting its port to another system for some time; as soon as the contract is up, MGS 4 will ship on Xbox 360. Will that be three, six or 12 months? If MGS4 is due for fall release on PS3 (no official date has been released), then count on a minimum of six months. In other words, if the rumor proves true, count on a 2008 release.
What is the honest to goodness truth? More importantly, what do you think? Do you care? Is Sam Fisher enough of a military stealth powerhouse that Xbox 360 fans don't need MGS? Discuss it on our boards.
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Originally Posted by oLd_KaiNry
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