Kojima Productions Clarifies MGS4 Critic Restrictions

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

All these constant rumors surrounding Konami asking reviewers to avoid certain topics regarding Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots reached its boiling point recently. G4TV's Adam Sessler made it the subject of his Soapbox rant, and Kojima Productions' Ryan Payton was quick to respond. Thankfully, he has finally cleared this whole mess up.

First, Payton confirmed that Konami did ask reviewers to avoid the following:

• Install times
• Length of cutscenes (the ending in particular)
• Number of environments
• Opening "movie"
• Product placement
• (Plus a half dozen story-specific items)

Then, Payton tells us MGS4 requires on 8-minute install and several "two to three-minute installs between acts." In regards to those cut-scenes, which he earlier called a gross exaggeration, Payton said they just didn't want reviewers saying which cut-scenes were especially long, thereby spoiling some of the gameplay experience. He made it clear that critics "are more than happy to comment on whether they're too long or short." And from this day forth, he says reviewers can talk about the cut-scenes and install times all they want; just don't get "too specific about the cinematic times."

Concerning the rest of the list, Payton stands by those, especially that bit about the opening cinema. He says it will be a "huge surprise" for gamers, and he'd hate to have reviewers give it away. Also, he doesn't want us talking about product placement "because of some contractual agreements we have with third parties..." Okay, well, that's good enough for us. Seems some of this was blown a bit out of proportion, as we expected. Let's just all calm down and enjoy this one now, shall we?

Related Game(s): Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

6/5/2008 Ben Dutka

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