Konami is turning the release of Metal Gear Solid 4 into a huge event, with so many collaborative marketing schemes that you may think you're waiting for a movie release.
We've already shared with you confirmation of an Assassin's Creed costume. As depicted in that mysterious Assassin's Solid April Fool's Joke, the Altair costume from the Ubisoft title is officially set to appear in MGS4. You'll have to do something "special" to access it, but aside from that, we don't have the details.
Like the Assassin's Creed promotion, most of the collaborations involve real world items making the trip into the game. Of particular note is the in-game iPod. Using this, you'll be able to change the game's background music to music data that you find in the game world. You'll also be able to download new tracks via the web.
Other real world items set to appear in the game include Regain energy drinks, the Sony Ericsson W62S cell phone, and Triumph Motorcycles. Triumph is represented through two of its bikes: the Bonneville T100 and the Speed Triple. The cell phone is used by two in-game characters, Vamp and Naomi. Regain is represented as an in-game energy drink. But it's also taking something back from the tie-in, as, leading up to the game's 6/12 release, some convenience stores will stock special bottles that include a cell phone screen cleaning pad or a dog tag.
Konami is taking the cell phone thing one step further. Gambare Salaryman, a cell phone game that's distributed through Sony Ericsson's PlayNow portal, will feature Old Snake and other characters from MGS4.
Of all the collaborations, one does not seem to have an in-game counterpart. Uniqlo will release Metal Gear Solid UT Design T-shirts on 6/12. These shirts come in three varieties, each costing 1,500 yen.
Likewise, one collaboration involves an in-game original item making its break in the real world. The real-life version of the Ga-Ko Alarm Clock will be released on 7/31 at a price of 2,800 yen.
Konami will also be offering a few sister products to MGS4. Novelizations for Metal Gear Solid and Guns of the Patriots will hit on, respectively, May 25 and June 12. The MGS4 Original Soundtrack, featuring 47 tracks, will be released on May 28 at 3,045 yen. The Metal Gear Solid 2 Bande Dessinee digital comic will be released as a two disc DVD set on 6/12 costing 2,800 yen. We're not sure at the moment if this means that the PSP version has been canceled.
Be sure and browse the media section below for looks at all these Metal Gear product. Unless you hear otherwise, all the products and collaborations mentioned here are Japan only.
Although can't see myself playing it much when it comes out.
