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Konami responds to MGS4 review limitations

Explanation by Metal Gear Solid 4 assistant producer Ryan Payton

Blake Snow (GamePro (online)) 06/06/2008 09:05:53

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Amid complaints that Konami forced early reviewers not to disclose install times and cut scene lengths, Metal Gear Solid 4 assistant producer Ryan Payton tells why.

According to Payton, review limitations of the reported non-disclosure agreement included install times, length of cut scenes (particularly the ending), number of environments, opening movie, product placement, and a half dozen story elements.

"The game requires an eight minute install, as well as a number of two to three-minute installs between acts," Payton told Kotaku in an email on Thursday. Regarding the length of cut scenes, the assistant producer said Konami didn't want to "ruin" the story experience, but immediately lifted the imposed limitation in a statement.

"I want to make it clear that, from today, reviewers are welcome to discuss the length of the cutscenes and install times," Payton assured. "But we ask that they not get too specific about the cinematic times and what happens in later install sequences."

Metal Gear Solid 4 arrives on PS3 on June 12.