Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

[Jeremy Ricci]

I have two theories.

1). You play the game opening as Solid Snake, and he dies, you play as a "new clone. This is the least likely of my "theories"...and I think it won't happen, no chance in hell.

2) Kojima has been talking about how the Octo-Cam mimic's the octopus, who not only can change his color, but also his shape.

This got me thinking...what if you could use the mask to make different shapes? I mean, we've all seen in the beginning of the trailer where Snake looks "injured" then it all of the sudden fades away...what if the mask, through electric charge or whatever, allows you to mimic other faces of enemies or whatever, in order to "blend in" as another mode of stealth? I just was thinking that would be an absolutely amazing feature...I'd go insane.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Snake is still old, and will be that way in MGS4. The end of the recent trailer proves that. I doubt at all if the Octo-cam, if it can change shape, is making him appear old.

Yes, the injury on Snake's face, a dirt spot, clears up some how when his Octo-cam turns off. But, I don't think Snake is wearing a mask. If so, how can you explain how he can stick a roo in his mouth and blow out smoke through it? Plus, we never really see the dirt spot slowly disappear. He could have wiped his face to remove the dirt.

 

[Jeremy Ricci]

Snake is still old, and will be that way in MGS4. The end of the recent trailer proves that. I doubt at all if the Octo-cam, if it can change shape, is making him appear old.

Yes, the injury on Snake's face, a dirt spot, clears up some how when his Octo-cam turns off. But, I don't think Snake is wearing a mask. If so, how can you explain how he can stick a roo in his mouth and blow out smoke through it? Plus, we never really see the dirt spot slowly disappear. He could have wiped his face to remove the dirt.

I'm not talking about it making him appear old, I'm talking about at the end, it making him appear YOUNG.

And you DO see the dirt and wound disappear, haven't you watched the trailer closely? Maybe you need a better feed, it's very simple to spot in the early seconds of the trailer.

My point was maybe the octo-cam does more than just change color, Kojima made a point about it, and that is important enough for me to speculate...he is, after all, a man known for dropping subtle hints that state the obvious.

 

[Solid Lifters]

The only trailers I've seen are the one's posted on the day it was released. I never went back to view a better quality version of the demo until now. The original Konami link trailers still don't work. I wonder why. Anyway, I went to Gametrailers.com and they have a better quality version that what I've seen. I notice some things I haven't noticed before.

Yes, the wound and dirt do disappear from Old Snake's face; it's very clear to see. Second, I can see Metal Gear Mk. II also has Octo-cam. I couldn't see that before.

No, the Octo-cam wasn't making Old Snake appear young. It was a joke. Kojima was poking fun at those who hate Old Snake and would rather play as Young Snake. Notice, as I said before, Young Snake takes a drag of a roo, so how can Octo-cam, with the use of the mask, make his face and hair different and still allow him to open his mouth, drag on his roo, and then blow the smoke?

 

[Jeremy Ricci]

I'm not going to be as bold as to say "yes" or "no", as you shouldn't either, seeing as how Kojima has a history for this kind of thing (you know, giving us subtle details, but not all the details?). It's just a theory, let's just wait it out, that's what theories are, just something that may or may not be true until proven false, and right now, neither of us can do that

 

[Solid Lifters]

I'm not going to be as bold as to say "yes" or "no", as you shouldn't either, seeing as how Kojima has a history for this kind of thing (you know, giving us subtle details, but not all the details?). It's just a theory, let's just wait it out, that's what theories are, just something that may or may not be true until proven false, and right now, neither of us can do that

There is one thing I left out; the moment just before Young Snake is revealed. Notice the hair under the black mask? What color was it?

True, anything is possible with Kojima, but I think it's quite clear what the "Young Snake" part of the trailer was all about.

I also know that in some previous trailers for MGS3, there were some "truth" to the funny endings. Like when we thought Raiden or a relative of Raiden would be in MGS3 and it turns out to be a character that just looked like Raiden. Some thought, it was only a joke and meant that Raiden wouldn't be in the game, nor would that part of the "funny clip" would appear in the game. But it did.

With that, what does "Young Snake" mean exactly? Agreed, you or I don't know. But, it's still a joke at the end of the trailer, and I guarantee it wont be what it seems. (A playable "Young Snake" character.) But, would YS appear in the game in any capacity? Maybe. It does seem to be a lot of substance just for a joke.

Perhaps, a mask option for the Octo-cam? But then, what about the roo smoke and YS opening his mouth? How could a mask "mimic" all that?

 

[Dave A]

Kojima has said in the past the MGS1-3 were a trilogy and the next games will be another trilogy, it could well be that there is a young snake in the game. A new clone perhaps, or maybe Naiomi finds a way to reverse snakes rapid aging. I still think it's more likely that Snake will die in MGS4, as sad as that is it'd make for a much better story than having the aging reversed. I also think that just introducing a new clone of Snake is a bit of a cop-out, it kind of means you don't have to be worried about Snakes death there's an new Snake right here, looks the same, talks the same, smokes the same ect.

I don't think it's the octo-cam, however I do think that that young snake will have some thing to do with the game, but probably not in any way we've coverd so far.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Kojima has said in the past the MGS1-3 were a trilogy and the next games will be another trilogy, it could well be that there is a young snake in the game. A new clone perhaps, or maybe Naiomi finds a way to reverse snakes rapid aging. I still think it's more likely that Snake will die in MGS4, as sad as that is it'd make for a much better story than having the aging reversed. I also think that just introducing a new clone of Snake is a bit of a cop-out, it kind of means you don't have to be worried about Snakes death there's an new Snake right here, looks the same, talks the same, smokes the same ect.

I don't think it's the octo-cam, however I do think that that young snake will have some thing to do with the game, but probably not in any way we've coverd so far.

I agree, that YS will be in the game, but not as a playable character. Remember, this game will be the conclusion of the MGS story. A story that has a lot of loose ends. So, I think a YS will appear in the game, but only as a part of the story, and nothing more.

 

[RedWolfRacer]

Well...as for Young Snake vs. Old Snake...why the missing bandanna? Is that significant in some way?

 

[DuckRacer]

I've been wondering this... why have the graphics been getting worse?

From TGS 05:



From TGS 06:



I mean, I suppose the character models are up to par, but everything else looks like total crap now.

 

[KENJIusa]

The second pic has been saved with worse quality, in fact the size of first pic is twice at the second one (227KB vs 110KB) you'll need to see both of them in 1920*1080 to appreciate the detail

Moreover, this is Kojima's game, I have 100% faith in him:tup:

 

[Jeremy Ricci]

Duck - If you want to use selective images, we can do that, but the game hasn't gotten progressively worse.

The fact that you chose 1 image where no texture is "close" to the camera, and another where it is, clearly indicates that it's merely selection.

The fact is, the game is running in 1080p, and sacrifices have to be made. That combined with the on screen action, and destruction, and other little details, all come together and use a lot of processing power. It'll take even Team Kojima some time to really unlock the power of the PS3, and I don't expect to see that done for another 2 years at the earliest.

 

[Solid Lifters]

This first pic was a still from a FMV. The second pic is in game. That could be the difference, too. But, both look fantastic to me.

 

[Jeremy Ricci]

This first pic was a still from a FMV. The second pic is in game. That could be the difference, too. But, both look fantastic to me.

Neither of them is FMV, and never was it FMV. Kojima has never used FMV.

Fact of the matter is, the upgrade from 720p to 1080p (which is actually still a beta) had to have some "toned down" textures, but again, the selective shot makes it look worse than it is.

example:

Notice how the textures aren't as bad. The main difference between the two is the cinematic filter.

 

[DuckRacer]

Hmm, good points.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Neither of them is FMV, and never was it FMV. Kojima has never used FMV.

Yes, I know that, but thinking more in the generic sense of FMV.

The clip of Raiden is from a video, all though the in game engine is used, it has more details to it than actual game play shots.

 

[Jeremy Ricci]

Yes, I know that, but thinking more in the generic sense of FMV.

The clip of Raiden is from a video, all though the in game engine is used, it has more details to it than actual game play shots.

I honestly only think the textures will not look as good should the game ship in 1080p (which is likely).

Still, I can't help but not care, as long as they improve some animations. I mean, the game is stunning, I love it, but for gods sakes, I really hope the next year is dedicated to animations and story.

 

[Solid Lifters]

I honestly only think the textures will not look as good should the game ship in 1080p (which is likely).

Still, I can't help but not care, as long as they improve some animations. I mean, the game is stunning, I love it, but for gods sakes, I really hope the next year is dedicated to animations and story.

Actually, I'm not so sure that the animations need that much improvement. The problem is, we watched horrible video quality clips, and the animations do look better if the whole presentations graphic quality was equal to or near game quality graphics.

 

[Jeremy Ricci]

Actually, I'm not so sure that the animations need that much improvement. The problem is, we watched horrible video quality clips, and the animations do look better if the whole presentations graphic quality was equal to or near game quality graphics.

Uhh....the walking animations for the soldiers were identicle to MGS3...they need improved, lol. Maybe watch the last trailer again? They all move the same, like robots, no variety at all.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Uhh....the walking animations for the soldiers were identicle to MGS3...they need improved, lol. Maybe watch the last trailer again? They all move the same, like robots, no variety at all.

Yeah, that does need to be changed. It'll come soon. I'm not worried.

Although, some of Snake's movements were new, and some where old.

 

[Jeremy Ricci]

Snake looked and moved very well, just that the soldiers (and really only the real ones, the civilian people moved very well too) anyway, the soldiers looked...poor, but hopefully that will change. Either way, they won't make me hate the game, it'll still be amazing.

 

[Tenacious D]

I'm not sure that you can say anything about a game which may be another year in development. I'd wait until five or so months before release to worry about any details. The fact that it looks as good as it does now portends only good things to me.

 

[DuckRacer]

New MGS4 details.

Hideo Kojima Reveals New MGS4 Information
by Chris Gregory

Hideo Kojima, head of Konami's Kojima Productions and in charge of the game design of Metal Gear Solid 4, has divulged some interesting information in an interview with the Official Playstation Magazine.

In his interview, he states that players have the option to be aligned with either nation A or B, but can also align with neither and make enemies of both. For instance, depending on your allegiance, you can stroll right past the cyborg Gekkos if you are of a friendly nation -- or be mercilessly attacked if you are spotted as an enemy.

On the battlefield, a player has the freedom to shoot any soldier in the field, much like a first person shooter. He also mentioned that, while in previous Metal Gear Solids you had to hide yourself and the bodies of enemies you have killed, this is no longer necessary, as he has the revolutionary 'OctoCam' camouflage system.

Kojima emphasized that in one of the newer trailers, Snake appears much younger in parts. He reiterates that this scene was put in the trailer to create a stir amongst the community.

He later discusses that the motion sensitivity function of the Sixaxis controller will play a significant roll in the game. Though he does express disappointment at not having rumble, "the controls in MGS3 got a little complex, so you'll have a little more direct control in MGS4. That said, I miss the rumble and even now I hope it will come back."

The story is set in the Middle East, South America, and Eastern Japan and should be released in late 2007.

http://www.ps3land.com/article-1023.php

 

[Solid Lifters]

Meh, no new info. But that's a good thing. I don't wanna' know any more details about the game, really. Kojima should just concentrate on getting the game finished ASAP other than figuring out what to release to the media and public.

Like I said, YS was only meant as a joke. There's still a chance we'll be able to play as a YS with the Octo-cam mask, or something.

 

[Solid Lifters]

BUMP

Here's more info about Kojima and rumble feature among other items. Plus, and good interview with David Hayter.



http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/ps3/kojima-i-miss-the-rumble-217200.php


Interview with David Hayter

Spy Hard (PS3)
David Hayter, the voice of Snake, discusses his role in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.
By Paul Semel | Nov. 22, 2006

As professional celebrity interviewers, we're used to jumping through hoops when we want to chat up the famous and the infamous alike. But nothing compares to the tiny, flaming loops we had to leap through to interview David Hayter, the voice of Snake in the Metal Gear Solid games, including the new Portable Ops for PSP. Conducted via email, not only did we have to submit our questions to Konami and Kojima Productions for approval, but Hayter's answers went through the same vetting process on the way back to us as well. Which is why, even though we asked, there's nothing in the following interview about Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots, Snake's appearance in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Brawl, or the in-the-works Metal Gear Solid movie. They even nixed our Splinter Cell question: Have you ever played Splinter Cell, or do you feel that would be like dating your ex-girlfriend's best friend? Though, oddly, they did leave our Family Guy inquiry intact. How we made it through that flaming hoop unscathed we'll never know.

GameSpy: How did you first land the role of Snake?
David Hayter: I had been an actor in Los Angeles for about eight years when I auditioned for the role in a little house in Hollywood. The game (and all the subsequent games) was directed by Kris Zimmerman, who had been a casting director on Captain Planet, in which I had appeared five years earlier. That's how I got called in.
GameSpy: How long did it take you to nail his voice?
Hayter: I actually auditioned with a much less gravelly version of the voice (closer to my own voice), but by the time we got to recording (maybe a week later), it had developed into what it is now. Once we put it down on the track, we all knew that was the voice. I had a gut feeling it was going to make a significant impact. But I didn't really have any idea it would become my defining role as an actor.
GameSpy: So how often do your friends try to get you to do his voice on their answering machines?
Hayter: Most of my friends know me as a screenwriter, and my side-job as Snake doesn't really occur to them. However, I do record it for fans on rare occasions.


GameSpy: A few years ago I interviewed Kevin Conroy, who was the voice of Batman in the Warner Brothers cartoons, and he told me that he has a gentleman's agreement with Warner that he won't do the Batman voice without asking them if it's okay. Has anyone ever asked you not to do Snake's voice for anything but a Metal Gear Solid game?
Hayter: Konami has never asked me not to do anything with the voice, but we have had a long, successful relationship, and I try to honor that by limiting what I do with it. It also gives Snake's voice more impact if it is limited to the gaming experience.
GameSpy: I've heard you're actually a fan of the games. How many of them have you beaten? Do you have a favorite, and if so, why that one?
Hayter: I've beaten all of them, with the exception of the two Acid games. My favorite to date has to be Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. It is the best written, most dramatic, and one of the most beautiful games I have ever seen. The sniper sequence between Snake and The End is a Zen Gamer's dream.
GameSpy: When they had them on Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, did you go back and play the older ones as well?
Hayter: I have gone back and played the first Metal Gear Solid a few times for nostalgia's sake. I love that one, too. I have a lot of friends in it.

GameSpy: Speaking of Metal Gear Solid 3, when you first played it, were you as taken aback as we were when you realized that the woman who did the voice of The Boss was the same woman who does the voice of Diane Simmons on Family Guy?
Hayter: I wasn't taken aback then, as I just found out about it now, from you. Now that I know, I'm incredibly taken aback. I can barely reach my keyboard. Thanks a lot.
GameSpy: Now the next one you're doing is Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. How did the script for that game compare to the others?
Hayter: Amazing. Portable Ops is the first Metal Gear for PSP that recreates the gameplay of the first big three. Konami had new translators and producers on it, and they even let me throw in a little translation polish along the way (just a little). It's a very compelling story. It unveils a lot more of Snake's (Naked Snake's) history, and because it is somewhat shorter, it moves at a tight, breakneck pace. I can't wait to play it.
GameSpy: Did the fact that the game is being done for a portable system mean that the script, and thus your involvement in the game, was a lot less than usual?
Hayter: It was less, but as I say, that just makes the story and the scenes tighter. It will still satisfy as a complete and full Metal Gear experience.
GameSpy: Being a screenwriter yourself, and a good one at that [Hayter co-wrote the screenplays for the first two X-Men movies, as well as the upcoming Watchmen adaptation], have there been any instances where you've offered suggestions on the script of an MGS game, and if so, has anything come of it?
Hayter: The thing is, by the time we do the English voice recording, the Japanese version of the game is already finished. So we try to keep to a fairly direct translation of the Japanese version. As I said, I occasionally make suggestions, but I view my role in Metal Gear Solid as that of an actor. If Konami ever wants me to become more involved in the scripting process, I would be flattered, but these games are the brainchildren of Hideo Kojima, and he does a remarkable job. His voice as a writer is singular and brilliant. I wouldn't want to mess with that.


GameSpy: Have the MGS scripts influenced how you write at all?
Hayter: They have certainly taught me a lot about the use of ambiguity, the idea that when you are presenting a common theme -- i.e. the dangers of nuclear proliferation, or the alienation of professional soldiers -- you can accomplish this very effectively by showing all sides, positive, negative, and amorally indifferent, of the issue. Let your disparate characters play out all sides of an issue, and let the audience come to their own conclusions. MGS does this incredibly well.
GameSpy: So have you ever had the chance to meet Akio Otsuka, who does Snake's voice in the Japanese versions of the games?
Hayter: I have not had the pleasure of meeting him, though I have enjoyed his portrayal in many E3 trailers.
GameSpy: Is his voice as iconic to the role in Japan as yours is here?
Hayter: I have no idea. I would imagine so, since the games are very popular there. Plus, it is very comforting for fans to come back to the same voices each time.
GameSpy: So besides the Metal Gear Solid games, what other games do you like to play?
Hayter: I am in the middle of The Battle For Middle-earth right now, which I am enjoying a lot. And I survived six months working on a movie in England by playing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in my hotel room, pretending I was back in Los Angeles. Ah, the sweet, sweet mayhem.
GameSpy: Finally, Snake is always so serious. When you're doing your voice sessions, have you ever just gone off and done something goofy in his voice? Like say something like, "Attention K-Mart shoppers: Metal Gears are now on sale in aisle four. Limit one per customer."
Hayter: It is impossible to play a character this serious and not break into hilarity along the way. I am sure there are many gay-themed conversations between Snake and Otacon out there somewhere.

 

[godzilla_GTR]

lol thanks for that, nice read.

 

[Solid Lifters]

New details revealed...

The run down: more MGS4 info from Kojima
Some of you guys might be busy on your Portable Ops mission with Naked Snake. For the die-hard MGS fans out there, it goes without saying that you better make sure you're playing it well, through and through - y'know squeeze all of it for what its worth. Because Hideo Kojima already hinted that both Portable Ops and Guns of the Patriots are going to be interconnected.

Anyways, Big Man Kojima just spilled a couple more beans on MGS4 recently. For one thing, it seems that he's confirmed the previously expected "end of 2007" release for North America. Well, that much we sort of knew already. However, the info below is just like a slab of meat wagging before our very faces. What a tease!

Now before we reveal anything, we just have to say that it took us some time to figure out the Google Translate of GameFront's coverage on "Metal Gear Solvent 4," so please, bear with us for a while. You know how tricky some online translations can get. Besides, some of these have already been known or hinted at before, so it doesn't really take a genius to figure them out:

The injections, which Snake gives itself, are to take a very important role in the play...
At the weapons numerous modifications can be made, and the player will be surprised, as many are it. A stage of development are garnet throwers, sight, mufflers, laser target acquisition and light/lamp. It is also possible that one implements several changes at the same time at a weapon.
The opponents are not always only behind Snake ago.
With the camouflage system Octocam will not be only possible it to change color and surface however the form.
There are prototype weapons, which one can use. In addition there are invented weapons from Kojima.
Raiden will not be playable, because Kojima does not want to make the same error as in Metal Gear Solvent 2.
Metal Gear solvent portable Ops stands in connection with Metal Gear Solvent 4; Kojima does not want to betray however, in what respect.
An emotional side will have the enemies: If they are scared, they will spend less time to look for Snake.

 

[Jeremy Ricci]

With the camouflage system Octocam will not be only possible it to change color and surface however the form

I remember saying this at TGS and people saying that it was foolish of me to think so...*laughs*

 

[Solid Lifters]

Could a MGS4 demo be coming soon? It thought it odd that a GTHD demo was released, for free, so far away from GT5 launch. Now, check out this commercial from Japan.

 

[Jeremy Ricci]

I'd go absolutely insane if an MGS4 demo came out.