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THE WORLD’S MOST BANKABLE GAME STUDIOS
In association with
17 STATISTICS Founded: 2005 Owned by: Konami Entertainment
KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS KEY RELEASE Metal Gear 4: Guns of the Patriots achieved full marks from dozens of websites and publications, including the Official PlayStation Magazine in the UK and US, and IGN and Gamespot.
Head count: 200
FAST FACT COUNTRY: Tokyo
CONTACTS Address: 9-7-2 Akasaka, Minatoku, Tokyo, 107-8323, Japan www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/
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77,208 PS3 console sales in Japan in the week of MGS4’s release, up from a more typical 10,000, according to Famitsu
H
ideo Kojima reportedly received death threats when he said he might not directly lead development on Metal Gear Solid 4. Having relented to become co-producer and designer, he clearly didn’t let his 200-strong team take any shortcuts – the result was the pinnacle of the 21 year-old series, winning nearly universal acclaim and being lauded by some as the saviour of PlayStation 3.
With three million units shipped worldwide in its first few weeks on sale, total sales of MGS4 have now surpassed 4.5 million. This success was topped off by the launch of Metal Gear Online, a distinct online offering bundled with the game in North America and Europe. The service had achieved a membership of one million before 2008 was out, and has seen the release of several relatively premium priced expansion packs.