Metal Gear Solid 4 Discussion

[Dukefrukem]

So can we now put this to rest:

Konami today released its financial results for the first half of its fiscal year, and the PlayStation 3 exclusive title had a definite impact. For the six months ended September 30, Konami posted net profits of nearly ¥12 billion ($122 million), up more than 90 percent year-over-year.

Konami also updated its sales figures for Metal Gear Solid 4, saying the game has now sold more than 4 million copies since its worldwide release in June. As with many games, the pace of Metal Gear Solid 4 sales dropped steeply after its initial launch window. More than 3 million of the game's sales came in its first two weeks on shelves.

Source (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6200752.html)

[LarsenNET]

GOTY contender for sure.

[OldJadedGamer]

Put what to rest? While the game sold well, it could have doubled those numbers if it was multiplatform. Fallout 3 sold more then this in one week, without a Japanese release and not having the benefit of being a pack in game with the console.

What exactly is being put to rest here? The idea that a huge budgeted title with unlimited resources from a company that takes 4-5 years to make and is held up as the best the system can offer will do decent sales numbers?

[Disgustipated]

Put what to rest? While the game sold well, it could have doubled those numbers if it was multiplatform. Fallout 3 sold more then this in one week, without a Japanese release and not having the benefit of being a pack in game with the console.

What exactly is being put to rest here? The idea that a huge budgeted title with unlimited resources from a company that takes 4-5 years to make and is held up as the best the system can offer will do decent sales numbers?

Wow, you just shut Frukem down. Not hard to do, but commendable.

[Norse]

I'm kinda surprised that over 3 mill. of the 4 were sold so close to release. As a system seller (and used in bundles) I thought it would keep on selling.

[Dukefrukem]

Put what to rest? While the game sold well, it could have doubled those numbers if it was multiplatform. Fallout 3 sold more then this in one week, without a Japanese release and not having the benefit of being a pack in game with the console.

What exactly is being put to rest here? The idea that a huge budgeted title with unlimited resources from a company that takes 4-5 years to make and is held up as the best the system can offer will do decent sales numbers?

I don't think it would have doubled the sales, (as evidence with the Devil May Cry sales) but it would have helped a bit. You think 4 million copies in 6 months is decent?

[OldJadedGamer]

I don't think it would have doubled the sales, (as evidence with the Devil May Cry sales) but it would have helped a bit. You think 4 million copies in 6 months is decent?

Again, this title was held up by Sony themselves as the best the machine can offer, it was packed in with the last console ever from Sony to have BC with the PS2, and the first ever console to ship with a rumble controller packed in... and not only that, is counting sales from Japan/US/EU. Three regions.

Compare that to other games like GTA4 that came out at the same time and sold 10 million without being released in Japan to add to it's numbers, a game like COD4 which has passed 10 million without Japan or being a pack-in, and recently with Fallout 3 that within a week already passed this number of sales.

So yes, in comparison to other games of the caliber of MGS4 the sales are decent. If you want to compare it to a game like say Rainbow Six 2 then yes, MGS4 is a benchmark of sales and should be held up to the heavens as a great selling game.

One has to remember the budget of MGS4 as well when looking at sales. No matter what why you slice it or dice it, MGS4 while doing good sales could have gone on to do great sales had it been multiplatform. There is no denying that.

[violent]

The game was phenomenal. How sales numbers could be of any significance beyond that is unknown to me.

[Mr. Murphy]

The game was phenomenal. How sales numbers could be of any significance beyond that is unknown to me.

I loved it, hell, I loved all the MGS games, but I've never understood their reasoning for not making it multiplatform. I mean, I've heard their excuses... but there were ways, and it should have been done. It's not as if they would have somehow lost sales by making the game available to a wider range of people.

[violent]

I loved it, hell, I loved all the MGS games, but I've never understood their reasoning for not making it multiplatform. I mean, I've heard their excuses... but there were ways, and it should have been done. It's not as if they would have somehow lost sales by making the game available to a wider range of people.

I like to think it's for reasons superseding that of profit. I think too many choices are made these days with monetary gain taking the head seat in the creation process. Not to say this is the situation with MGS4, I'm purely speculating. I do believe that releasing the game on the 360 would make a mint. The fallout of that though would be just how shitty gaming boards will be due to the kids fighting their imaginary war at the announcement. If you ask me, that's the real problem.

EDIT: On the actual subject of MGS on the 360, seeing as how 2 came out, I don't see why they would simply stop there. I do believe though in the "home" console philosophy though. Basically, an entire franchise should be available on any particular system, not simply iterations.

[Mr. Murphy]

I like to think it's for reasons superseding that of profit. I think too many choices are made these days with monetary gain taking the head seat in the creation process. Not to say this is the situation with MGS4, I'm purely speculating. I do believe that releasing the game on the 360 would make a mint. The fallout of that though would be just how shitty gaming boards will be due to the kids fighting their imaginary war at the announcement. If you ask me, that's the real problem.

Well, monetary reasons aside, is there really a downside to giving more people a chance to play what is an epoch title in video game history? I suppose 'fanboys on forums' is a downside (and a so-so band name) but other than that... I dunno. Maybe they just didn't think it was worth the trouble. I just know a lot of people with 360's and no PS3's and it's a shame they have to spend $400 on another system just to avoid missing out on a few key games.

I feel like their might have been some pride and loyalty involved in the decision. While that kind of thing is laughable in American economics, it's more common in the Japanese corporation structure. Who knows.

[violent]

Well, monetary reasons aside, is there really a downside to giving more people a chance to play what is an epoch title in video game history? I suppose 'fanboys on forums' is a downside (and a so-so band name) but other than that... I dunno. Maybe they just didn't think it was worth the trouble. I just know a lot of people with 360's and no PS3's and it's a shame they have to spend $400 on another system just to avoid missing out on a few key games.

I feel like their might have been some pride and loyalty involved in the decision. While that kind of thing is laughable in American economics, it's more common in the Japanese corporation structure. Who knows.

I can only conjure up three possibly reasons for a lack of port:

Loyalty
Hardware Limitations
Exclusivity Buyout


Any other possible reason for turning down the extra revenue is beyond me.

[Mr. Murphy]

I can only conjure up three possibly reasons for a lack of port:

Loyalty
Hardware Limitations
Exclusivity Buyout


Any other possible reason for turning down the extra revenue is beyond me.

Hell, hardware limitations as a reason is even questionable. Other than the size of the disc, which could have been dealt with using a two disc system, I haven't really seen one system do anything the other one couldn't. Then again, I don't know programming and architecture, so what do I know.

Tthey should definitely make all of the series available on any console that has one of them. That's just a tease.

[violent]

Hell, hardware limitations as a reason is even questionable. Other than the size of the disc, which could have been dealt with using a two disc system, I haven't really seen one system do anything the other one couldn't. Then again, I don't know programming and architecture, so what do I know.

Tthey should definitely make all of the series available on any console that has one of them. That's just a tease.

I don't understand the subtleties of game programming either, less what is specific to this game. I'm simply generalizing on the few things I could come up with to prevent exposure of a good product.

Regarding availability of the series, the smartest thing in my opinion would be to start with the release of the original Metal Gear Solid on PSN and XBLA.

[Dukefrukem]

Regarding availability of the series, the smartest thing in my opinion would be to start with the release of the original Metal Gear Solid on PSN and XBLA.

That would be awesome!

[Mr. Murphy]

That would be awesome!

Yeah, I'd buy it just to have it on the hard drive, and they could always freshen it up for hi-def like they did with Prince of Persia. What an easy way to sell a game to millions of people who already own it.

[Dukefrukem]

Yeah, I'd buy it just to have it on the hard drive, and they could always freshen it up for hi-def like they did with Prince of Persia. What an easy way to sell a game to millions of people who already own it.

Playing that tiny part in MGS4 brought back some awesome memories. They should seriously take all MGS1 games and add them to the PSN. At least all the big sellers.

[LarsenNET]

You can get the "Essentials" (MGS1-3) for $30 or less. It will play on a backward compatible PS3. I know because I just played through all of them on my PS3. I'm going to guess if they release them for download each one would cost $15-$20.

[Dukefrukem]

You can get the "Essentials" (MGS1-3) for $30 or less. It will play on a backward compatible PS3. I know because I just played through all of them on my PS3. I'm going to guess if they release them for download each one would cost $15-$20.

Why wouldn't MGS1 cost the same as other PS1 games on the PSN?

[Mr. Murphy]

You can get the "Essentials" (MGS1-3) for $30 or less. It will play on a backward compatible PS3. I know because I just played through all of them on my PS3. I'm going to guess if they release them for download each one would cost $15-$20.

That's what I did, that 3 pack was such an awesome deal. I still have my original copies, but it was a great opportunity to get Substance, Subsistance and a fresh copy of GS1 at a steal.

[LarsenNET]

Why wouldn't MGS1 cost the same as other PS1 games on the PSN?

I was thinking more of XBLA with some enhancements and if they did that they could also release it on the PSN for the same price with trophy support. If it's just going to be a straight download it may be the same but it's also 2 discs. I don't know if they charge more for that or not.

[violent]

I was thinking more of XBLA with some enhancements and if they did that they could also release it on the PSN for the same price with trophy support. If it's just going to be a straight download it may be the same but it's also 2 discs. I don't know if they charge more for that or not.

I actually hope they don't do that. A simple 1:1 version would be preferred.

[LarsenNET]

I actually hope they don't do that. A simple 1:1 version would be preferred.

I know what you mean but I played though it not long ago and graphically it was really jarring on a 50" TV. After playing Act 4 of MGS4, it would be awesome if they re-did the whole game with that engine. I know it would never happen because it would be way to expensive.

[violent]

I know what you mean but I played though it not long ago and graphically it was really jarring on a 50" TV. After playing Act 4 of MGS4, it would be awesome if they re-did the whole game with that engine. I know it would never happen because it would be way to expensive.

I've actually been hoping for remakes of all games on the new engine. The 1:1 thing was only specific to the download possibility.

[Dukefrukem]

I've actually been hoping for remakes of all games on the new engine.

We can always dream.

[Variable Gear]

We can always dream.
Dreaming is fine, but try not to turn into the FFVII remake for PS3 crowd.