Fri, Jun 06, 2008 | 06:46 BST
Konami responds over MGS4 review restrictions
MGS4 producer Ryan Payton’s sent an email to Kotaku explaining in a fair bit of detail the review restriction placed on US reviewers of the game.
From the note:
We asked reviewers to avoid the following topics:
-Install times
-Length of cutscenes (the ending in particular)
-Number of environments
-Opening “movie”
-Product placement
-(Plus a half dozen story-specific items)The game requires an eight minute install, as well as a number of two to three-minute installs between acts.
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…
Well worth reading. It does clarify a lot of the issues that blew up surrounding this last week.



14 comments
#1
Psychotext
05/06/08, 6:24 pm
Mmm… multi-installs. Because one isn’t enough. =)
#2
patlike
05/06/08, 6:47 pm
Not the best, is it?
#3
mortiferus
05/06/08, 6:54 pm
Installs between episodes… What where they thinking!!! How much data will be on the HD by the time the game is over? 10-12 Gigabytes? Sheesh…
#4
Nugent
05/06/08, 7:07 pm
Assuming that the leaked box is correct, the hard drive space can’t exceed what that listed (which was what, 5 gigs?). Otherwise it’d be false advertising. I’m hoping that there would be minigames or cutscenes or something to mask the installs.
TBH most of this stuff doesn’t sound like spoilers to me, but I guess it will depend on how the game plays out.
#5
Psychotext
05/06/08, 7:13 pm
I guess they either install a little at the start and then top it up or they install at the start and overwrite part of it for each act.
#6
dr-gray
05/06/08, 7:43 pm
Oh dear!
#7
lucidregalon
05/06/08, 9:40 pm
Blimey… I’ve never really had an issue with the installs on the PS3, I’ve been a Pc gamer long enough to be used to it. But installs through the game? Thats crazy!
#8
kasai
05/06/08, 11:33 pm
I honestly don’t think I could be bothered sitting through 2 to 3 minute installs just for the next part of the game. If it was 45 seconds to a minute then I would be fine with that even then its pushing it for me.
What a joke Sony I could forgive you for a one off install but installs through the whole dam game WTF.
#9
ecu
05/06/08, 11:39 pm
“I honestly don’t think I could be bothered sitting through 2 to 3 minute installs just for the next part of the game. If it was 45 seconds to a minute then I would be fine with that even then its pushing it for me.”
Please tell me you’re joking.
#10
morriss
05/06/08, 11:42 pm
I couldn’t give a monkeys myself. I think the whole ‘installs’ thing is laughable from the ground up, but I when it comes down to it, I won’t let it spoil my enjoyment of a game: especially one like MGS4.
#11
DrDamn
05/06/08, 11:54 pm
@Kasai
“I honestly don’t think I could be bothered sitting through 2 to 3 minute installs just for the next part of the game.”
What were you expecting a 2 to 3 minute install to provide? A free hand shandy? Isn’t the game the bit that you paid 40 odd quid for, you know the bit which takes hours to play through?
#12
kasai
05/06/08, 11:56 pm
“Please tell me you’re joking.”
No I’m not I find these installs a joke a one off install would of been fine with me. But all through the game just sucks. Still will get the game but I detest the use of these installs.
“What were you expecting a 2 to 3 minute install to provide? A free hand shandy? Isn’t the game the bit that you paid 40 odd quid for, you know the bit which takes hours to play through?”
I’m sorry if you seem to see it differently but thats how I see it.
#13
FireFly
06/06/08, 2:13 am
When they say opening movie, do they mean the opening will be a damn movie. Or just a cutscene.. hmm…guess I’ll find out when I get the game
#14
Blerk
06/06/08, 8:19 am
Blimey, you kids are impatient these days.