Exclusive Q&A: Hideo Kojima talks Metal Gear Solid 4

GamePro editors Vicious Sid and Mr. Marbles recently had the pleasure of speaking with the most mysterious man in video games, Metal Gear Solid creator and director Hideo Kojima.

Kojima talked at length about his upcoming PlayStation 3 game Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, as well as his thoughts on the next-gen console war and the video game industry in general.

The following is a transcript based on our talks.

[power of Green]

Why is it so dam green/yellow?. The AOTS on G4 showed the trailer and it was two diferent colours. I can't stand it, it turns me off.

[BIadestarX]

I'm not implying anything, but I find interesting how impossible is that this games comes to the 360 as Sony fanboys are saying:
"GP: Is 1080p a goal for Metal Gear Solid 4? Do you think 1080p is an important feature to have?
Kojima: In that sense, the answer is simple: we're not really insistent on sticking to HD. We're not the ones who are saying we want HD. We want something really pretty on a very small screen. But 360 and PS3 don't allow that because HD is kind of a must-have...

(WHY THE HECK WOULD HE MENTION THE 360 WHEN ASKED ABOUT 1080P FOR MGS4 ON THE PS3)
GP: Is MGS4 still planned as an exclusive PS3 game? Do you have any interest in Xbox 360 development?
Kojima: Well, yes, I do have strong interest in creating something for the Xbox 360. In the US and Europe, it is selling, and I think it will sell a lot this year as well. I'm a fan of Gears of War as well, it's very interesting.
Frankly speaking, I want to create something on the PC. It's a multi-platform [format]. I've been regularly studying work on the PC anyways, and I want to provide something as a world-wide platform because of the consequences with timing on the PlayStation platforms, MGS4 is actually for the PS3 only so far.

(WHY SO FAR? HOW ABOUT SAYING YES AND THAT IT WILL STAY THAT WAY)
GP: If you ever made an Xbox 360, would you find it difficult to work with because it uses a standard DVD?
Kojima: It's not necessarily challenging or difficult, it's just a matter of how we do it. It might be a couple of discs, or possibly a new form of dual-layer.
"

[JIN KAZAMA]

maybe MGS5 will be for both platform, maybe MGS4 will be a timed exclusive, maybe MGS4 is just an exclusive. Who knows, if 360 gets it, its no skin off my back, it ownt lessen my experience with it.

[X_GAMER_X]

1- games cost money.
2- the devolopers wants money.
3-XBOX 360 is selling well.And it will sell more.Do you know what that means to him??(MONEY)
4-He is very intersted on 360
5-Storage is not a problem.
6-MGS is only for ps3 so FAR.
The man has spoken..Its just a matter of time.And the is not the first time he said so FAR.This is the sec time.Kojiima..If the game was just exclusive then way,way way he said SO FAR..He could just say its only for PS3 and that is.This is the sec time..

DO NOT LISTEN to fanboys.JUST WAIT..

[JIN KAZAMA]

The point is, its an exlcusive to the PS3. Quit speculating on things. Ure acting like he said its on the 360. So far its an exclusive, bottom line.

[shotty]

Its sound to me like they have Xbox 360 dev kits in house and that it will be a time exclusive with the ps3 obviously getting it first. It appears to me that he isn't all that interested in the ps3, saying how ken would get angry.

[zonetrooper5]

That interview was pretty cool and this game with motorstorm might make me buy a PS3.

[JIN KAZAMA]

buy it and enjoy it. I need some competition when I get motorstorm, cuz aint no one beating me in that.

[SimmoUK]

Yeah but the guy even admits that you need space for proper HD graphics, just because he doesn't want 1080p is not the point. He says that his game would have to be multi-disc on 360. He doesn't say anything bad about PS3 hardware just that it's difficult to develop on. Hard but powerful and with plenty of space and MGS4...

[Juevani]

the guy need 50 gb or more, if its coming to 360 it will be a game with 6 or more dvds?? I dont see it happening. plus the graphic on this game will be something for its own (not shinny or plasticich the way it is now, this on will look so real no other games graphics will even be near) 360 wont handle it a year from now.

[nice_cuppa]

smoke that sony pole.
swollow hard.
NOW WAIT.tm sony trademark

[DJ]

"Hey! The camera's in front of the dragon! Those screens of LAIR must be fake if it's not behind the dragon!"

I still get a kick out of that, Cuppa. =P

[UrbanJabroni]

Seriously, dude, when you start losing bubbles, and especially when you only have one left, maybe it is time to see if maybe you could change your behavior just a bit. There are plenty of hardcore fans for the 360 and PS3 that have all their bubbles...maybe just tone the rhetoric down a smidge.

[richie007bond]

Man you must be one of the most deluded sony fanboys there are,utter rubbish spews from your a@@hole(quote)not shinny or plasticich the way it is now, this on will look so real no other games graphics will even be near) 360 wont handle it a year from now).LMAO
Ive not laughed so much in a long time,leave the jokes to me pal and take ur head out from sonys a@@..

[Harry]

Heheheh.

Juevani. Can I buy this guy? he's so cute.

I imagine him to be some sort of talking gnome spouting off random stuff like '50GB are great' or '360 can't handle it'

[DJ]

but I don't see God of War or Twisted Metal on the 360 yet. =P I think Bladestar's reading too far into his words. He was talking about HD being a requirement this generation; 360 and PS3 are HD consoles. That's it. That's all he meant.

Octo-camo and the weapon variations seem really exciting. Being able to build up custom squads would be great too. Some people complain that the MGS series has too many in-game cinematics, and he's actually making shorter cinematic scenes for part 4. I actually loved the cinematics since they were so amazing, but whatever.

[BIadestarX]

What kind of stupid comparison this is? Stop insulting your own intelligence. Let me just point out a few differences between Kojima and Dave Jaffe. Dave Jaffe is a 1st party developer working directly for Sony, translation: Sony own his @$$. All developer talk about other consoles, are you saying that none of the 1st pary developer for microsoft every say anything about the wii or the PS3? Didnt microsoft talk so great of the wii and you don't see Halo or any 1st pary game on the wii. And My questions are valid, I am not saying that Metal Gear will be on the 360, but obviosly Kojima seems to be interested on the fact that making games for the 360 is profitable and obviously will not hesitate on excercise the responsability he has towards investors and employees to make money if the PS3 cannot turn more profits than the 360 can. He is a 3rd party developer you know.

[InMyOpinion]

Try comparing whos stealing whos exclusives instead. It all started with GTA IV. Then Assassins Creed, Fatal Inertia, Virtua Tennis 3, Virtua Fighter 5 etc etc. I don't see anything I would miss on the Ps3 really. Have you already forgotten about the exclusives comparisons that used to be posted frequently on this site? Your memory seems as brainwashed as the rest of your mind.

[THAMMER1]

Juevani is the cookie monster.

http://www.biosci.ki.se/use...

http://content.answers.com/...

[grifter024]

This game is going to be pretty cool when it comes out. Maybe it might come out for 360 hopefully. But If it doesnt its still going to be a pretty good game, I never really got into the mgs series but then again I only played msg2 so I cant say anything really...But after mgs2 I thought it was pretty good I dont know why everyone hates raiden...whatever.. Mgs looks to be coming along nicely cant wait to see ingame scenes see if it really is all its cracked up to be.. Lata

[achira]

this game will be fantastic! xbox fans will buy a ps3 for this game. thats nice ! ist exclusive anwd will stay exclusive! and dont forget some important things. japanase ppl are friendly. he says he likes gow, i mean he says it so to be friendly to the xbox360 section, there is no way he things actually so. we know all that he is a playstation fan. this "oh, i want to programm a game for the xbox360" is bs from his side.

[InMyOpinion]

Adolf Hitler was'nt too friendly. Does that mean all germans are like him? You make no sense.

Please go hang out on the Babelfish forums instead. At least til' you learn how to spell.

[Optimus Prime]

so now you are talking on behalf on peoples behalf if they like the ps3 or not. one word for you... loser.

[Grown Folks Talk]

even kojima is a liar to you. he has already stated that he plans to make games for all 3 platforms. just not the same game on multiple platforms. he wants to maximize each console to the fullest. he's a grown man and can speak for himself. he doesn't need you to follow behind him and tell everybody that he's lying to be polite.

[zonetrooper5]

I will buy the PS3 with Motorstorm and MGS4 but i need a price drop first as its expensive in the UK.

[CAPS LOCK]

and i will probably buy resistance and heavenly sword.
but if the price is still the same i will buy the ps3 next year with metal gear and final fantasy and maybe killzone...425 is alot, the 360 is 280 pounds and the wii is 180, thats 460 togehter i mean if people figure that out then i highly doubt allot of ps3 sales in the uk. but if they reduce the price to 300 with a game, i gurantee you that the ps3 will sell more and it would be out of stock for a loong time.

[zonetrooper5]

Its seems as though Dusty and the team are clearing out the pending news. I hope that they get the new updated site out soon.

[Hey Zeus]

This game would be very difficult to do on the 360, due to the amount of space required, so he really unsure if he can do it on the 360, plus it's been built for the PS3, if it were gonna be on the 360 it would have been anounced by now, keep dreaming losers lol hahahahahahaha!

[nice_cuppa]

it would just be on multiple discs which as i can change a disc after 10 hours i dont catre about.
sorry but that is it.
blu-ray is slower but you dont need to change disc.
dvd9 is faster but on very big (bigger than oblivion) or games with lots of cut scenes you will have to change discs.

its not a movie. i tend to play more than one game in a session anyway so changing discs means nothing.

plus with the better gpu and more texture memmory we might get some colour in the 360 version.

blammo !

[Texas GMR]

Seeing that around 50% of the people who have the 360 never owned the original. Chances are they owned the Playstation. It seems to me that there would be a huge MSG4 fanbase on the 360. The more of the game he sells, the better the next will be. It's a great move.
I've never played any of the series before, but I'm interested in trying it out. I'm a potential costumer that he wouldn't get otherwise.

[zonetrooper5]

MGS4 is the last the series i think.

[coxyefc]

oh ffs get a grip. "xbox fans will buy a ps3 for this game". dont you mean "gaming fans" will buy a ps3 for this game? I hope this game is going to be a stunner, not because i like sony better than xbox etc, because its for the good of gaming and gives the consumer more gaming choice.

[Liarlair]

As what I know,every exclusive game have it own story behind the screen,but,markat and money often not the case.
Those are always some dirty reason.
Money maybe their final goal,however it still dont mean we are going to see a Wii version.(Sell alot better and kick 360 ass world wide.)

[coxyefc]

Yeah lets kick 360's ass world wide. jesus christ.

[SimmoUK]

Dreamcast was a good console i've got to admit that still got it really smart looking as well...

[SimmoUK]

If you lke PS3 you get abuse for it all the time, which is kinda strange being PS1 and PS2 were the most succesful consoles, sorry for still having faith the third time around ;)

[coxyefc]

I do understand, the PS3 will be a great console, i know that you know that, deep down fanboys of all kind will know that aswell but its not a war is it? its all about taste, like in music and films, the xbox 360 is a great console aswell and that gets abuse from people. i loved ps1 and ps2 by the way, classic consoles.

[ApocalypseShadow]

is powerful.

is difficult to program for.he probally wants to kick ken kutaragi in the nads.

has a lot of space for content,but he believes more is needed.more than dvd-9 for high def.

likes wii and 360.

ps3 will host mgs4 and is being made using the multiple spes.i don't think you can strip all that out to put it on 360 without compromising the game.a good interview.

people say why he didn't mention any gameplay details.why should he?i don't want to know everything about the game(or any game) before playing it.

[GaMr-]

Someone without Selective vision that actually read the article. sometimes I think all that floats around in some people's heads are little green X's.

[power of Green]

PS3's GOD!. It's like a cult. Jesus Christ.

[Maldread]

...What`s up with the young Snake in the tralier ? ( I know we wouldn`t get an answer... but come on ) either way, the game sounds great ( Hope you can look like the "old" Snake which means young Snake by the way ) and can`t wait for it or a new tralier to surface.

[FKN Unbelievable]

Same Sh1t Different Toilet. This will be on 360 quicker than you think.

[DR GRIM]

I DONT THINK HE GOING TO WASH ALL THAT TIME MAKEING A PORT HE NOT DON WITH PS3 BUT I DO THING HE GOING TO MAKE A NEW MGS FOR WII AND
360

AND STOP BEING A FANBOY OK

[TheMART]

and you

start fixing you caps lock

What is wrong with ya people typing in capitals all the time. Do you need to be heard because you aren't in normal life?

[gnothe1]

im not calling you out or anything!! but what makes the Ps3 version of COD3 PLAY better than the xbox360 version!!the xbox has better frame rates an a better online,(im not sure)but do the PS3 version even have the new map packs. so what makes the Ps3 version better!!then you say that RFOM is better than ALL FPS that the 360 has to offer!! thats a matter of opinion,an if you check the ratings it dont even rate better than all other xbox FPS!!but I will agree with you about the Wii, I have one an I just cant spend more than a half hour on it!! but my kids love it!!

[coxyefc]

the playstation joypad is awful for first person shooters, its good for everything else, like Metal Gear Solid although you would think Sony would have redesigned the joypad like Microsoft and Nintendo have done for their consoles. In my view, the 360 joypad is the best this next generation, its so comfortable.

[DJ]

over the new 360 controller. It's got smoother curves than its predecessor, which is great, but the L and R buttons are way too skinny and high up. Most of the time I forget they're even there. Maybe if they were half an inch thicker...and I dunno why they took out pressure sensitivity 'cause that Xbox/PS2 feature was really cool.

[power of Green]

Duel! shock!/DualShock does have an god Awful button layout and up untill now!; have Sony only improved the anolog quality/sensativity, PS3's version of the (DS)/(Sixaxiss) also has cheap piss poor trigger's?, it's a good controller for traditional PlayStation Rail system gameplay but just doesn't match the precision needed for advanced next-gen gameplay that it's competition offers.

You have to reach back with your thumbs to get to the joy stickz that are too close to eachother in the first place, makes for poor respose times and good controll(but good for old/5th & 6th generation Tomb Raider like gameplay).

Controlling the Acceleration(drive 1 to 300 MPH in some cases) and breaking(slam or pump breaks) in games(TDU ect) that's next-gen, Holding down on the gas untill you hit top speed is not.

Same goes with popping off one bullet in shooters with automatic weapons vs not being able to do that.

I have the worse cramps after using (SA)/(DS)of what ever you want to call them. 360's pad is the best in my opinion although MS needs to fix the piss poor D-pad, it seems to be not finsished/responsive enough.

[Raist]

the dual shock 2 was the first to introduce the analog face buttons.

[Harry]

My Wii controller is fine. Nice and comfy

[power of Green]

Who care's, it has a poor layout and most of the older gamesplayed like sh*t with the stick compared to Xbox, Example: Racers like Forza vs GT.

I read that Sony has adressed the anolog issue although i can't tell, it still feels like poor in my hands.

[KingZuca]

from someone who has played extensively on the dual shock since its inception, i think its an excellent controller.

game developers have taken pretty good measures to make their games comfortable to play. as for what you said about racing games, a lot of ps2 racers actualy allow you to drive, brake, and go in reverse all with the right analog stick. that pretty much eliminates that complaint right there.

i don't know what games you are playing that require you to "reach back" for the analog stick. but to my knowledge it's always been an either or, where you either use the D-pad, or the analog stick. rare occasions does it appear that you are required to alternate between the two.

and the analog sticks in my opinion are only too close if you have hands the size of waffle irons, or you tend to sweat profusely and slip up constantly, in which case i would advise you (and when i say you i dont really mean you green v, i mean in general ) should maybe purchase a fan, or stop playing like your life depended on it.

as for the shooters part. i have been playing socom since the first one ever came out. and have never had trouble letting off only one shot.

i think it was pretty ingenious of sony to keep the overall feel of the new controller the same, although i will agree the new triggers take some getting used to. i also like the xbox 360 controller, i think they came a long way from having sedan sized controllers with so many buttons they ran out of letters for them (white, black buttons.... wtf, worst buttons ever made).

but anyways there is a reason they dont change the control scheme; because a lot of people like it.

[Zinswin]

That's another reason I decided on the XBox over the PS. I DO have huge hands. I loved the DUKE and the DualShock feels so... tiny. The 360 controller is just a tad a bit small, but it's the best fit for me.

[zonetrooper5]

The gamecube controller was an excellent controller and when you held it, it would fit into your hands like it was actually built for your hands.

[Zinswin]

LOVE that moustache, by the way. Snake looks like Burt Reynolds or something. Wish he still had the mullet, though... the best styles of the 70's and 80's COMBINED! Behold the power of Snake!

[Xtrm L1481L1TY]

Let’s put this baby to rest!!!

http://www.moviecodec.com/t...

Warning: This is devastating to PS3 Fanboys.

...

[DJ]

Activision rushed their PS3 titles.
Creating a PS3 title from scratch within 8 or 9 months is not easy. That's why titles like Fear were thankfully pushed back till February.

[Xtrm L1481L1TY]

You obviously didn't scroll down. There's plenty more comparisons with links to back it up. So you can make excuses all day but I've got hard evidence to back my sh*t up.

[KingZuca]

i know you did not just bring up a crappy article about comparing port crap titles. of course those titles are going to look better, xbox 360 is easier to work with then PS3, so obviously when a developer is trying to port these games over to a system they have little to no experience with, the original is going to look better.

and as for Resistance and Gears comparisons, c'mon, you gotta be kidding me. you are comparing a launch title to a 2nd gen game. when has that ever been looked upon as fair comparison? i guess that says a lot for resistance, good job. and for those of you who DO feel like its fair comparison, fine. how about we compare resistance to sayy, Call of Duty... (crickets in the background), exactly.

or how about this; in the upcoming year, what are you going to compare Metal Gear Solid 4 with? how about Heavenly Sword? DMC4? Ninja Gaiden Sigma (LOL)? Tekken? Stranglehold? Lair? Motorstorm? both Final Fantasies? you gonna compare them to what? ... ... halo 3? thats it? lol.

can't wait til these games come out, then maybe we can get some real conversations goin on in here, and some fair comparisons. and maybe people will realise all the envious pouting thats going on in here.

[Zinswin]

I absolutely despise it when people try to use the 1st gen vs. 2nd gen title argument. When HALO: Combat Evolved hit stores ALONG WITH A BAND spankin' NEW XBOX it looked as good or better than any PS2 title out there. And the PS2 was on what, 3rd or 4th gen? Give me a break.

Hands down, 360 and PS3 titles will always look about the same. I'm guessing that 360 titles will look on average a bit better, though some PS3 titles will look better when it's made by people who really know how to program for it. I'm guessing that NG Sigma is going to make people cream.

I really can't wait to see what MG4 looks like. Time to put up or shut up... my bet is on the shuttin' up.

[Texas GMR]

I have longer fingers than most so the Duke was my favorite controller. But I've had no problems switching to the new 360 contoller. I find it more comfortable then I had imagined.
Xtrm - I know it's a slow Sunday night, but lets not go through the whole "who has the best graphics" debate.
Can't wait for more news tomorrow!

[nice_cuppa]

i have added a bit of logic up at 13.
hope i get through.
blammo.

info for those who dont know.
i get hd videos of xbox360 games free with 360 mags on dvd.
blu ray is just more space.
it is not needed for hd.
you can just use more discs.
this is only a problem if changing a disc after 10 hour play is too much for you.
oh and with multiple discs comes faster loading.

[solid snake uc]

so we can play two character ?
both character's story will change?

[MissAubrey]

without all the crazyness I would like to see him do a more realistic kind of game.