Hideo Kojima Working on New Title

271w ago - Metal Gear Solid 4 will bring an end to the Solid Snake line of Metal Gear games. But, just in case you've heard rumors to the otherwise, it won't bring an end to series creator Hideo Kojima.

Speaking with Japan's Nikkei BP website, Konami president Fumiaki Tanaka revealed that Kojima is working on the concept for a new game outside of the Metal Gear universe. Pressed further on this mystery title, or possibly titles, Tanaka said that he couldn't reveal anything at this point and that a formal announcement won't be coming this year. Instead, we can probably look forward to hearing something after Kojima has written the new title's scenario, which won't happen until after MGS4 has been released and Metal Gear Online has been given a major push.

In other Metal Gear Solid 4 news, Tanaka revealed to the site that Konami expects sales to be similar to past titles. While the sales focus is on the European and North American markets, the company is aiming for sales of one million in Japan alone. Nikkei pointed out to Tanaka that the PS3 hardware has yet to hit the two million mark in Japan, to which Tanaka noted that many users are waiting for MGS4 to buy a PS3. He also feels that because a number of major PS3 titles from other companies will be released before MGS4, the system's userbase total will rise.

Outside of Metal Gear, Tanaka shared a few insights into Konami's development plans as a whole. The company will be releasing remakes of more classic titles and tapping into more classic franchises in the future. Although Tanaka wouldn't get into specifics, he did suggest that download services like Wii Ware could play a role in this effort.

Tanaka made mention of all the major platforms in his discussion with Nikkei, but one in particular got praise: the PS3. In previous interviews, Tanaka has shared his opinion that Sony's online platform for the PS3 fits well with Konami. That stance hasn't changed, he said, noting that the open nature of Sony's online platform, in contrast to the regulations placed on the Wii and Xbox 360 online systems, gives Konami a lot of freedom.

What Konami will do with that freedom is up in the air right now, though. With Metal Gear Online, set to be bundled with Metal Gear Solid 4, Tanaka admitted that the company is still in the trial stages regarding a business model.