14 DAY TRIAL // Any gamer who owns an Xbox 360 would surely like to have the option of trying out the God of War saga on their platform. Unfortunately, Sony holds the rights to the franchise and uses it as an exclusive for the PlayStation 3, hoping that it would boost sales. Microsoft does the same with Gears of War and with Halo. And these are not the only franchises that are or were platform exclusive. Now, one man sees a near future where things might be very different.
Hideo Kojima, who is currently putting the finishing touches on Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, has stated as part of a news conference that “In the near future, we'll have games that don't depend on any platform. Gamers should be able to take the experience with them in their living rooms, on the go, when they travel - wherever they are and whenever they want to play. It should be the same software and the same experience.”
Present at the same venue, Hiroshi Kawano, the president of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, replied that the prediction made by Kojima might be a bit bold and that “We hope he continues to develop for platforms, but we deeply respect his sense of taking on a challenge.”
Apparently, Hideo Kojima has decided to put the latest MGS game on the PlayStation Portable handheld to make his team think about the restrictions that might come when they are asked to create gaming experiences that can be delivered through the Internet on any platform. It's not clear whether the next project from the developer will head this way or whether it will also be set in the Metal Gear universe.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker will be launched on April 28 in Japan and on June 8 in North America, where a bundle with a PSP is available.