News

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Konami's Solid Earnings
MGS4, Pro Evo Soccer boost Konami's revenue.

February 5, 2009

While other companies might be suffering from declines in their profit margins, Konami seems to have been weathering the recent economic storm rather well. In fact, the company released its consolidated results for the last nine months of 2008 today and posted significant increases in revenue and income thanks to its Digital Entertainment portion of the company (a.k.a. games division). Konami attributed this performance to strong sales of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Online and Pro Evolution Soccer 2009, which propelled it to a profit of 234,011 million yen, or a five percent increase over the previous year's results. Thanks to its performance, the Digital Entertainment division posted a 10.6 percent increase over the other Konami divisions.

According to the financial statement, "The METAL GEAR series is exhibiting its strength as a brand, steadily increasing the number sold year-to-date to more than 4.5 million units as of the end of this consolidated third quarter." Metal Gear Online also gained more than one million accounts during this period. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 showed its strength as a brand as well, moving 7.41 million units. Finally, the statement mentioned that its music franchises DanceDanceRevolution and Karaoke Revolution American Idol Encore 2 performed well, while Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia had brisk sales.

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Hideo Kojima selects fifteen influential films
January 20th, 2009

–Jan 20, 2009, 19:05, Tokyo–Media retailer Tsutaya kicked off a campaign today in celebration of Metal Gear Solid 4 and Hideo Kojima. The retailer has set up a corner showing off the fifteen films that Kojima lists has having influenced the MGS series .

For those without access to Tsutaya shops, the online arm of the retailer is taking part as well and has opened a special campaign site.

According to the site, Kojima selected the following titles as having had an influence on the award-winning series:

The Guns of Navarone
The Great Escape
Goldfinger
2001: A Space Odyssey
Planet of the Apes
The Deer Hunter
Dawn of the Dead
Full Metal Jacket
Predator
Die Hard
Heat
Black Hawk Down
Children of Men
The Bourne series
Casino Royale

At the Tsutaya page, Kojima offers short comments for these movies. He says that the 007 series had the most influence on Metal Gear’s birth. Black Hawk Down was used as a reference for the lighting, color and atmosphere in the opening Middle Eastern section of MGS4. Regarding 2001, he notes that Snake and Otacon’s real names, David and HAL, come from the Kurbick classic. Die Hard offered hints for the conversion to 3D with the original Metal Gear Solid. Regarding The Deer Hunter, he says that while many believe Snake’s bandana comes from Rambo, it’s actually from Robert De Niro’s character in this movie.

The online site is also holding a present campaign. Interested parties can fill out their name and address information at the site to win a special MGS4-themed head-phone set, MGS4 t-shirts, and MGS4 character stickers.

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A Next Metal Gear Is...
December 5th, 2008

It appears a new flash site has gone up on Konami’s K.P.’s website. The site is nothing more than the Konami logo fading into the above image with text that reads "A Next Metal Gear Is…" with the symbols referring to..? Kotaku speculates Since there is an "i" and an upside down "i." Does that first "i" refer to the "iPhone?" Apple’s products appear throughout the last Metal Gear Solid. Better yet, the "i" could refer to the "DSi" or even the "Wii" they think.

One more significant point is the fact the the url for this new site contains "mgst" which could refer to really anything but more likely to what the game is actually called. Update : Metal Gear Solid Touch has been confirmed!!!

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New Old Snake and BB corps for Kisekae Changer
October 21st, 2008

Konami has announced that it’s adding Old Snake and BB Corps to its Japanese cell phone wallpaper service Kisekae Changer. One download will run users ¥525 (US$5.16).

The publicity for MGS4 really must one of the longest PR campaigns (if not longest) for a released title. Guess that’s not a bad thing for those who are really into Metal Gear Solid 4, no?

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KONAMI ANNOUNCES METAL GEAR™ ONLINE’S SECOND EXPANSION PACK: MEME Expansion

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced the second Metal Gear Online expansion pack - MEME Expansion — will be available for download later this year. Soon to be available through the Metal Gear Online shop, MEME Expansion will contain a vast amount of new content including new maps, special characters, new skills, tournament lobby and more.

Please find below further details on the new content in the expansion pack:

3 New Maps

Silo Sunset - One of the most popular stages in the handheld Metal Gear Solid® Portable Ops has been renewed for the world of Metal Gear Online.
Forest Firefight - Taken from Metal Gear Solid 3, this dense jungle gives players a new tense atmosphere with plenty of camouflage options.
Winter Warehouse - An original stage created for Metal Gear Online, players will have to search for suitable cover, in and around, this dilapidated factory blanketed in snow.
2 New Special Characters

Liquid Ocelot and Mei Ling
Additional Rules and Settings - These can be selected without purchasing the second expansion pack
Avatar Parts - Players can adorn their avatar with new accessories.

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Metal Gear Solid® 4: Guns of the Patriots Database
The entire Metal Gear saga is now at your fingertips!

Information on characters, weapons and plot elements from Metal Gear (1987) to Metal Gear Solid® 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008), accessible from three different perspectives: an encyclopedia, a relationship map, and a timeline. This digital supplement is a must-have for every Metal Gear fan!