Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Product Details Revealed!

Hi all! Since Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is such a huge release, with so many different promotions and packages, we thought we’d take some time to clarify the rumors and speculation going on out there, as well as break some news about what we’ll be offering.

In case you have not heard, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots hits stores June 12th, 2008 and is rated “M” by the ESRB. This is for all the different configurations of the product, detailed below, which includes: the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Standard Edition, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle, and the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle. We’ll get to details on each of these below.

First, the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” free pre-order bonus offer DVD with MGO Beta Unique Product Voucher Code insert…

This is a special offer, made through participating retailers and store locations, for customers that pre-order either the MGS4 Standard Edition or the MGS4 Limited Edition. We’ve been receiving reports over the last couple of weeks that store locations have been making the item available as soon as they’ve gotten the shipments in. As of this writing, participating retailers and their respective store locations should be getting their shipments and making them available. Unfortunately, we don’t have any more granular information beyond that, so you really have to check with your retailer/store location of choice, see if they are participating, and find out when and if they will have stock available. Also, please bear in mind, quantities are very limited, so you will have to do a bit of “legwork” to secure your copy while supplies last.

The “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD contains extensive original video content, which primarily focuses on the interconnected history of the “Snakes”: Big Boss (Naked Snake), Liquid Snake, Solidus Snake, and of course, Solid Snake. Additionally, the DVD contains a compilation of the MGS4 trailers to date and a special Prologue video to MGS4.

An insert in the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD case is your ticket to the Metal Gear Online Beta, containing the Unique Product Voucher Code (UPVC) and instructions on redeeming the UPVC to download the Beta client via the PlayStation Store when the download becomes available. The download of the MGO Beta will be available from April 17th 2008 to May 5th 2008 and the game play will be available from April 21st 2008 to May 5th 2008.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have heard a lot of questions from customers who have attained the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD, particularly about redeeming their UPVC via the PlayStation Store right now. Let’s make this clear: you CAN NOT redeem the UPVC for the MGO Beta download until April 17th, you will get an error until then. Do not attempt to redeem your UPVC for the MGO Beta right now, it won’t work! You will be able to do so April 17th!

Second, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Standard Edition …

Yes, the image above represents the final box art for the MGS4 SE. Mr. Kojima and his team specifically designed the packaging art to convey his artistic vision for MGS4 – for all you MGS fans, this has been the status quo since the beginning of the franchise. If you have put in the extra effort to pre-order with a participating retailer/store location, while supplies last, you can also obtain the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD with MGO Beta Unique Product Voucher Code insert (detailed above). This product, of course, includes the full game of MGS4 as well as the Metal Gear Online “Starter Pack”. What is an MGO “Starter Pack”? We’ll get to that in just a little bit below, suffice to say, it is a full and complete multiplayer component of MGS4. Additionally, exclusively available through GameStop, customers reserving the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Standard Edition will receive an exclusive MGS4 Art Book at time of purchase. This offer is good while supplies last, see stores for details. The MSRP of the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Standard Edition is $59.99 USD.

Third, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition…

Yes, we just revealed another never before seen final box in this article, this time for the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition, which will be available exclusively through GameStop. The MGS4 LE contains everything the SE offers (above, yes, with the potential to get the “Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2” DVD with MGO Beta Unique Product Voucher Code insert), as well as a collectible box with exclusive artwork by famed Kojima Productions illustrator Yoji Shinkawa, an additional Blu-ray disc containing two unique and never-before-seen Metal Gear Solid “Making of…” documentaries, and the MGS4 Soundtrack. Additionally, customers reserving the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition will receive an exclusive MGS4 Art Book at time of purchase. This offer is good while supplies last, see stores for details. The MSRP of the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition is $84.99 USD.

Fourth, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle…                          

Again, hot off the presses, a never before seen box! Of note, for the first time ever, the PS3 will be packaged in a white box as opposed to the typical black one, and of course, is also branded with MGS4 goodness! Inside you will find the 80GB PLAYSTATION 3 package (yes, the 80GB PS3 has been resurrected for this bundle), and will include a PS3 DualShock 3 controller – yes, the PS3 controller that rumbles, and the MGS4 SE (detailed above).

Fifth, the “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots” Limited Edition PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle …

Sorry, no box reveal this time (we have to keep some surprises :-) )! We are confirming that there will be a North America offering of this VERY, VERY Limited Edition bundle! This is the “gunmetal grey” PS3 – the one seen selling out in a matter of moments in Japan at the KonamiStyle web store. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting product!

Lastly, sixth, we’d like to shed some light on “Metal Gear Online” and the MGO “Starter Pack” that comes with MGS4 …

From what we’ve seen here at Konami, there has been some confusion as to what exactly a “Starter Pack” is, so let’s put that to rest right now.

The MGO “Starter Pack” that comes with MGS4 (all configurations, detailed above) is a full-fledged, fully-featured multiplayer component of MGS4. It is not a “demo” or “teaser” in any way, as some have speculated. It comes packed with maps, weapons/items, an in-depth character creator – where your character can be personalized, and most importantly, customized – with special abilities that can be “leveled” and improved through experience, the SOP system, and much more. There will also be an extremely deep community experience through a specialized portal that will feature stats, communication, and other never before seen features – which we’ll dig into at a later date…

So, you may be wondering why we call it a “Starter Pack”, well, the answer is very simple: because it’s just the beginning. We have a huge slate of downloadable content planned for the game which encompasses new maps, weapons/items, and much more. Eurogamer has a fantastic preview up, which is a great primer on MGO, and details some of the unique features that show why it’s not just another shooter…

But, of course, if you’re one of the lucky few, you’ll be able to get your hands on the MGO Beta in just a couple of weeks (April 21st 2008 – May 5th 2008), and see for yourself!

Also, please don’t forget to check out the latest KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS REPORT from Ryan Payton at Kojima Productions in Japan!

And with that, we end this particular article. We’ll be watching the comments, so please let us know your thoughts, and specifically what you’d like to hear (we’ll do our best to address your burning questions, but please bear in mind, we’re really busy working on MGS4 among a lot of other great Konami games, so please understand we will not be able to get to everyone’s questions)!

Check back here on the PS Blog next Monday, April 14th 2008, as we have a very special surprise in store for you! See you next Monday!