Metal Gear Online

Metal Gear Online
Developer(s)	Kojima Productions
Publisher(s)	Konami
Series	Metal Gear
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3
Genre(s)	Stealth-based game, Action
Mode(s)	Multiplayer online

For the original incarnation of Metal Gear Online, see [[:Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence]].

Metal Gear Online (commonly abbreviated MGO) is a forthcoming online multiplayer spinoff of the Metal Gear series produced by Konami. The game was officially unveiled in Kojima Productions' 20th Anniversary Part of the Metal Gear series. Like the previous incarnations of Metal Gear Online featured in the previously released Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence and Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, it will be included with Metal Gear Solid 4. However, it will be in the form of a starter pack which will be expanded through downloadable content via the PlayStation Network. Also, the game will eventually be released as a stand-alone product.

Gameplay

The game will feature 16-player online battles. Players can upgrade skills that their character can use such as hacking, CQC mastery, enhanced lock-on and more, all of which can be leveled up. The player can keep tabs on allies and enemies with nanomachines.

Players will have the ability to "hack" another player's character to steal information from their nanomachines, such as the locations of his/her allies (this is how the SOP(Sons of Patriots) system will be implemented).

New information has revealed that there will be 70+ weapon/attachment combinations in Metal Gear Solid 4, all of which may or may not be carried over into Metal Gear Online.

In certain online modes, a rule called "Drebin Points" can be enabled. When this is enabled, it allows players to collect points for various actions such as kills or headshots. Then, upon respawning or changing weapons, a player can get equipment not usually available in standard games.

Players will also be able to earn rankings for different accomplishments in game, which are presented as "animal ranks". For example, players who are adept at scanning the enemy team for SOP info will receive the Bee rank, while players who are masterful with the stun knife or sniper rifles will earn the Jaws (ie. shark) or Eagle ranks, respectively.

Gameplay types featured in Metal Gear Online include the standard Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch, as well as Capture Mission (analagous to CTF gametypes), Base Mission (a territory control gametype) and Sneaking Mission; the latter gametype involves two teams fighting each other in standard team deathmatch while also trying to avoid the player in control of Snake, whose mission is to collect three dog tags from enemy players before either team reaches the kill count.

Characters

In Metal Gear Online one of the playable characters is Old Snake. While controlling Old Snake, another player can control Metal Gear Mk. II.

Character customization is also featured, as evident by the beta, which includes clothing options and accessories.

Beta testing

An online beta test was first released in Japan from August 20, 2007 to September 3, 2007. The beta was only open to 3,000 players.

A new beta test was announced from April 21, 2008 to May 6, 2008 for Europe, and North America. Initially there were some problems with missing serial key numbers, however high levels of server traffic forced Konami to delay the start of the beta. The new testing period started on April 25, 2008 and ended on May 11, 2008. The beta test was not available in Germany due to age restrictions.

Distribution

In Session 058 of 'The Kojima Report' with Ryan Payton, it was confirmed that there will be a starter pack of Metal Gear Online included with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots. This will come with both the standard and limited editions of the game.

Other

It has been said that Metal Gear Online will be region locked and you will only be able to play people in your own region. [1]

External links

• KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS EVENT SITE 2007
• PlayStation Blog entry
• MGO teaser site