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Speak no evil: restrictions on Metal Gear Solid 4 reviews clarified |
Listed in: PS3 Tags: EGM, PSOne, Ryan Payton, Solid Snake
Apparently, there's been some controversy surrounding the restrictions that Kojima Productions imposed on Metal Gear Solid 4 reviews. Remember when EGM didn't want to review the game because of these limitations? Ryan Payton contacted Kotaku to clarify the dev team's stand on why they had to give a leash on these reviews.
The long and short of Payton's explanation is that basically all they were trying to do is to protect the gamer's experience and hope that spoilers aren't unintentionally leaked by the reviewer. So for Kojima Studios, imposing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) on these reviewers was the way to go.
Now the NDA was only for certain specific aspects of the game. Reviewers were asked to avoid spilling details about the technical side of things, listed by Ryan Payton as 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)
As for the cutscenes, reviewers are more than happy to comment on whether they're too long or short. We simply want reviewers to refrain from describing which scenes are long, thus spoiling some of the experience because players will know what to expect when a scene is unfolding.
I want to make it clear that, from today, reviewers are welcome to discuss the length of the cutscenes and install times, but we ask that they not get too specific about the cinematic times and what happens in later install sequences...
But as for the next three items, we are still asking reviewers to avoid these topics. We want the opening to be a huge surprise for gamers, and knowing how many environments there are in the game, obviously, is a spoiler. These restrictions will remain in place.
Finally, we've asked reviewers to not write about some of the product placement because of some contractual agreements we have with third parties.
Makes sense. Some technical details could, after all, end up spoiler certain key elements in the game.
Say, if someone reviewing MGS on the PSOne said "there's a boss in the game wherein you have to switch your controller into another port," that'd basically rob you off of some gaming experience right there (given of course that you haven't played MGS - good god, where've you been?). Well, the Psycho Mantis bit isn't so much as a story spoiler, but more a gaming experience spoiler.So if you think about it, the gag orders for MGS4 reviews are indeed for your protection. And in case you find yourself doing your own review and maybe posting it on your blog or whatnot, it might pay to also keep yourself in check when spilling some details.
To check out Ryan Payton's full email to Kotaku, click the Via link below.
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Comments
Anyway.... all in all I agree with it. I will not read a single review for a game I already know I want. They spoil too much.
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"but we ask that they not get too specific about the cinematic times and what happens in later install sequences..."
those ellipses intrigue me. it's kinda like he's hinting at something big in later install sequences. hmmm i wonder what. makes me giddy all of a sudden.
oh and psycho mantis boss fight FTW! ^_^V
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HARDEST BOSSFIGHT EVER
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"The game requires an eight minute install, as well as a number of two to three-minute installs between acts."
A so long cutscene in the end of metal gear is good and I will like it. But why they don't let me to install all at the beginning? Install in every act will be like a long psp load time.
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But if what you said comes true will be a new way to make hdd install.
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Can you imagine installing MGS4, playing through a few acts, then after having bought some new rockband songs the game fails to continue because the next act is bigger then the last act you were on?
Unless they implement some sort of designated buffer I don't see how that would work....
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Either way this theory seems bunk. What happens when you restore an old game save? This theory just doesn't work.
I bet they just divided up the install time.
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"In the new psycho mantis boss fight, they should make you switch the disk into a xbox, then run..."
impossible bossfight because if what you presuppose is true, gamers won't even make it past that xbox part! the moment they throw in the disk into the 360, it will RROD!!! hahahaha! i kiiiiiiiid i kiiiiiiiiiiid! :-p
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and yes ISOhaven you are exactly correct. if you dont want spoilers, just dont watch or read em. and to EGM, hey konami just wants to protect its product, who wouldnt want to specially if your product is burndened to the liberator of the console. try knowing both sides of the story first before you go anouncing anything publicly.
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but still a full install is a better option, and we dont care if its 10gb 30mins to 1 hour install as long as its a one time job. its very annoying to stay still and calm after a climatic sub boss battle, 3 minute chapter installs are not the best design. it should be all or nothing!
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