Screen Grabs: Metal Gear Solid 4 gets iPod and Sony Ericsson product placement
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Though we're breaking slightly from our typical Screen Grabs format (movies, TV), we could never live with ourselves if we didn't share these shocking gadget appearances from Metal Gear Solid 4. That's right, despite being on some kind of deadly spy mission, Solid Snake will find time to bro down with a fifth-generation iPod (above), while some lovely cohort of his dials up for pizza on a Sony Ericsson W62S clamshell. More pics after the break.
[Via iLounge / CellPassion]
[Via iLounge / CellPassion]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
duffman @ May 15th 2008 3:03PM
/shameless product placement.
Funke, Tobias Dr. @ May 15th 2008 7:41PM
More like modern reality placement.
The iPod itself is iconic, everywhere, and instantly recognizeable as an "mp3" player. In short, Jonathan Ive's design keeps paying dividends for Apple. Thank god it's not a Zune. If it was, there'd be no doubt that Konami was getting paid.
Alex Kirby @ May 16th 2008 6:12AM
The idea is to make it more like a movie, where there is alot of product placement. Plus with costs so high...
gabe @ May 15th 2008 3:04PM
nice graphics
Vault @ May 15th 2008 3:05PM
As soon as I find the iPod item I'm going to drop it. =)
Richie @ May 16th 2008 12:54AM
It's just SHAMEFUL that Konami is such money grubbers they put advertisement in a game and if Sony wasn't so CHEAP and would at least give them some money they wouldn't have to do this crap. What will I see next? Mcdonald's or maybe BK? Why not just throw in brayer paper towels and Nissian cars. I'm glad I'm not into MGS games because if I was I would be VERY upset over this. I now have to be marketed in a game I spend $60 DOLLARS FOR. What's next? unskipable commercials?
Kurian @ May 16th 2008 11:16AM
Everything said and done, I hope I can exchange this for Drebin points.
Pochi @ May 16th 2008 2:21PM
Then shoot it.
radia @ May 15th 2008 3:09PM
The only music in war is the sound of your heartbeat, letting you know you're still alive. Of course, that's only if you can hear it over the cacophony of gunfire and the other horrors that prevail in this battle-wrought concert hall.
primetime4 @ May 15th 2008 3:48PM
War has changed...
r3loaded @ May 16th 2008 3:27AM
If you watch Farenheit 9/11, the soldier in Iraq explains how they can connect their iPods to their tank's sound system.
"We don't need no water, let the mofos burn...."
Cal @ May 15th 2008 3:13PM
I just found the third reason I won't be getting this... (first being I don't have a PS3, and second that I didn't like the previous MGSs)
Cal @ May 15th 2008 3:14PM
Also, I wonder if playing tunes too loud attracts attention?
Joe @ May 15th 2008 3:18PM
You're saying that the presence of an iPod in the game would be a deal-breaker?
That's a whole lotta hate. If you had an iPod, you could be listening to "Whole Lotta Love" instead.
sgt_easton @ May 15th 2008 5:31PM
I'm with you on all three reasons.
Jonathan-DBOSS @ May 15th 2008 6:54PM
I couldn't disagree with you more.
will @ May 16th 2008 11:10AM
You don't have a PS3 and you didn't like the previous games in the series.. yet you MUST let us all know that this is ANOTHER reason you won't get the game.. "PRODUCT PLACEMENT IN A GAME I DON'T HAVE THE SYSTEM FOR AND DIDN'T EVEN LIKE THE FIRST ONES OMG HATEHATEHATE"
nobody gives a shit.
Cal @ May 16th 2008 1:29PM
The comments section is for adding your comments on the article, and to be honest the only 'HATEHATEHATE' I see here is yours. As for the 'nobody gives a shit' aside from showing your amazing grammatical skills, it also shows that you do in fact give a shit as you've felt compelled to post here crying about it, and blowing it way out of proportion.
Or to put it in your language:
You don't give a shit about the comments of others despite reading the comments section.. yet you MUST let us all know that you STILL don't give a shit about other peoples comments.. "OMG HE DOESN'T LIKE ONE OF THE PRODUCTS IN THE GAME AND MADE A SLIGHTLY JOKEY COMMENT ABOUT IT NOW I MUST CRY OMG HATEHATEHATE"
Yeah you're right, you obviously don't give a shit.
riggs @ May 15th 2008 3:13PM
No sony player? :confused:
Jack Storm @ May 15th 2008 3:20PM
haha if they themselves dont use them why should we??
Solid Snake @ May 15th 2008 3:18PM
Guys, here are my thoughts on this issue -
On the battlefield, you have to be ready to use anything you have at your disposal to survive, be it a pack of cigarettes that you smuggled to the sneak point in your stomach, or an iPod that you liberated from a well-to-do terrorist. There are no brand names on the battlefield.
Alex @ May 15th 2008 4:20PM
I thought it could be a way of implementing custom soundtracks. The only in'game difference would be wires coming out of Snake's ears.
Tamer Brad @ May 15th 2008 3:18PM
LOL MICROSLOTH, WELL PLAYED
Shaun @ May 15th 2008 3:23PM
MGS4 had quality feel before all this popped up, It was supposed to be a great game, then they ruined it with the assassins creed costume, and all this ipod/phone rubbish. All the quality is diluted.
Zak @ May 15th 2008 3:46PM
All the quality is diluted because of a single screenshot of a single iPod (note: not iPhone)? You have some serious hate for Apple and you should probably see a therapist about that.
fred @ May 15th 2008 4:17PM
You should talk, Zak.
Nohone @ May 15th 2008 5:03PM
@Zak:
Microsoft announces in game ads, and the PS3 group derides them for being evil. Never mind that Sony has announced the same thing.
The 360 has ads on their blades. The ads are always for a new game, movie, gamer pics, special promotions such as double experience point weekends, etc. and the products are often free, but never "Check out the new washer and dryer from Maytag" or something not directly related to games. And the PS3 group says that Microsoft are a bunch of money-grubbing whores. I just fired up my PS3 and went to the PS Store. I had to wait for the latest FW to install, which is funny because somebody on Engadget a few days ago criticized the 360 for requiring an update to get on XBL, you need to do it for the PS3 as well. Once the 20 minute install was done, the first thing you see is an ad for "Haze 4 player coop demo", "Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack" for only $9.99, and the GT5 demo/beta.
You read over and over again that the 360 is in the red. They put aside $1B for 360 repairs; which is not exactly how accounting works. That Microsoft is hiding losses by moving groups around so that it can tally a profit; somebody said here on Engadget that Media Center was moved into the media group to recoup losses (Media Center is not a stand alone selling product so it can only be a loss, not a profit gain). And the 360 is an "epic failure", but when Sony, in their recent fiscal statements announce a 124.5 Billion Yen (1.18 billion USD) loss, that is a great sign that the PS3 is taking over.
In the latest 360 numbers announcement, MS was criticized for being too arrogant, that they were making up numbers, and all out lying to make themselves look better. But Sony saying that people will get an extra job to buy a console that does not have many games is not arrogant?
The "latest and greatest" game for the PS3 has in game advertising - and that is what it is, advertising an iPod (otherwise they would have used generic models). Why is it OK when the PS fanboys mock Micosoft for something, and it is turned around on them - and the people do not like it have mental problems? And why is it a hate for Apple, and not for the bashing that 360 users take when Sony does the same exact thing?
Note that I am not saying you did any of these personally except for in this one case.
Zak @ May 15th 2008 5:38PM
Fred - I'm sorry, what do you have a problem with again? Was it me pointing out how somebody saying an iPod in a game dilutes the entire quality of the game is stupid? Because if you have a problem with me saying that, then you obviously don't see why the OP's post was massively stupid. Unless you'd care to explain how an iPod in a game dilutes the quality of the entire game. Go ahead, defend the OP, since obviously you think I'm in the wrong here.
nohone - That was very long, but you missed the point. Read what the OP said again. He's not complaining about the advertising, he's complaining specifically that it's an iPod. He's obviously fine with the fact that there's a Sony Ericsson phone also being advertised. He just doesn't like iPods, as evidenced by his "iPod/iPhone crap" comment.
Shaun @ May 16th 2008 12:09AM
The point I was trying to make was that MGS4 is a very good game, a very high quality game. Snake's last game, so they shouldn't do anything that will take the attention away from the game itself. It should be pure MGS. Like you buy a nice expensive BMW, you wouldn't like if it it came with a McDonalds bumper sticker. That does not mean you hate McDonalds.
Shaun @ May 16th 2008 12:13AM
I said say iPod/Phone not Iphone, just phone, the sony erricson phone. I don't have a problem with Apple, I have an Ipod, I like it.
Jimbo @ May 15th 2008 3:24PM
Soldiers in Iraq have iPods. There is really nothing wrong with this. Remember that a critical element in MGS4 is that Solid can get stressed from the toils of battle.
MGS3 had a feature where you could dial into radio stations that would sooth you and raise your stamina. It's obvious that this is what the iPod is for: relaxing your mind after a terrible gun battle. You also get lady-magazines to look at for the same purpose. It's really quite amazing how well thought out this is. War is something that taxes your mind and body alike, and you have to find a way to cope. The entire series is about how harsh the entire enterprise is.
Anyway, anyone who claims an iPod is a ridiculous feature in this game should reconsider. It's a very well thought out feature, and it's a fun part of our culture (I don't like apple products, but iPodsare a huge cultural thing). It's going to be fun to come back to this game 20 years from now, and I think that won't be true for a lot of other games (I still play MGS and MGS2, but I never play the old GTA3 or Gran Turismo once I have the new version.)
Ab4dd0n @ May 15th 2008 3:26PM
If every person on earth has an iPod, and MGS is set on Earth, then it only makes sense for Snake to have one
Now if Master Chief had a Zune, that would just be silly, no one owns a Zune
Christian Torkelson @ May 15th 2008 3:30PM
I own a zune.
Jeremiah Zachary Hoffman @ May 15th 2008 3:38PM
i own two zunes, and the multiple ipods i've used (never owned) never felt right. not to say my zunes are perfect (they're not), but i like them much more than any ipods i've used.
matt @ May 15th 2008 3:40PM
Thats as ridiculously as saying macs sucks cause everyone ones a PC. it doesn't mean the product sucks. Zunes are sick
IrishGandalf @ May 15th 2008 3:42PM
@ Christian Torkelson zunes are a US only thing, i don't own one so i can't talk about the feel in my hand, the ui etc. But from what i read it's just a restrictive as the ipod in terms of what it can play but in terms of usability the ipod 5G and classic win hands down and the ipod touch (i have a 32gb touch and a 5.5G and a 3G) just blows it clean out of the water!
Christian Torkelson @ May 15th 2008 5:47PM
@IrishGandalf.
I was kinda going for the humor in contradiction aspect here...
But I guess I do sincerely like the Zune. I do not do DRM, nor do I use alternative file formats like FLAC, I use plain jane mp3 files only. I'd be hard pressed to find any mp3 player that has issues with those...
I like iPods as well. UI wise both the Zune and Apple products are excellent in my opinion. Honestly though I'm getting a little tired of the iPod classic/nano Aqua interface... And I happened to think the Zune UI was a classy alternative that worked intuitively for me.
My music collection is under a thousand songs and it comes in at a whopping 3.7gb. Space was clearly not an issue for me. 8gb flash was sufficient, and considering I do a lot of biking its nice to know that if I drop it wont puke out on me. The Zune Flash and the iPod Nano (fatty) were my two main choices... ultimately it was easier to hold the zune while also holding the handlebars on my bike... thus I got the Zune.
The iPod Touch is nice, but I opted against it for price and the concern I'd crack the screen while it's in my pocket while riding or something.
rockintom @ May 15th 2008 6:03PM
I was close to buying a zune, as my 4th gen iPod was stolen, but the zune software needs a fully up to date windows installation, and I'm a bit nervous of updating... for some reason... *shifty eyes*
IrishGandalf @ May 15th 2008 3:31PM
i preordered the play.com LE, me so excited!
PSN: MentalGunner
toxicpiano @ May 15th 2008 3:47PM
5th Gen? Methinks that snake is behind the times.
chickenator @ May 15th 2008 4:57PM
he's an old snake, basic iPod with video capability should suffice
NEil @ May 15th 2008 6:09PM
Hahaha....sad but true.
potato @ May 15th 2008 3:47PM
Am I the only who's wondering why Solid Snake is using such old tech? After all, doesn't the game take place, like, at least a couple decades from now?
That reminds me of Will "vintage Converse!" Smith.
David @ May 15th 2008 11:13PM
do you have an atari? same thing.
daschupa @ Jun 10th 2008 4:23PM
These are mods made in 2023. It's actually an imac crammed in an old ipod case. Apparently in the future, the ipod is the new NES controller.
NHAnimator @ May 15th 2008 3:48PM
I love the smell of silicon in the morning.
Jeff @ May 15th 2008 3:51PM
haha i think that's fun...
This game is really making me consider getting a PS3. (i care so little about the PS3 otherwise that i still might just wait and see if there will eventually be a decent price drop.)
StrangeBum @ May 15th 2008 4:04PM
Right now..this game would really be the only reason to buy a PS3. If you're in the market for a games system, the 360 offers much more IMO.
But MGS4 will be the one game that makes me pick up a PS3 at some point this year.
Zak @ May 15th 2008 4:11PM
The only reason to buy a PS3? Well sure, if you don't count the Blu-Ray player, and games like Ratchet and Clank, GTA4 and GT5 as reasons to buy one.
nate @ May 15th 2008 4:41PM
gta4 is on the other consoles too...