Konami Ships Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater to Retail Stores Nationwide; Latest Title in Konami's Blockbuster, Award-Winning Tactical Espionage Franchise Hits North America

Business Wire, Nov 17, 2004

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- Konami Digital Entertainment - America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today shipped Metal Gear Solid(R)3: Snake Eater(TM) for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system to retail stores nationwide. The newest installment in the tactical espionage series that defined the stealth genre takes gamers on an all-new action-packed adventure through the jungles of the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War era. Players will assume the role of Snake, a US-sent agent, embarking on a dangerous solo mission to uncover and destroy a newly created weapon of mass destruction. Renowned developer, Hideo Kojima, has created yet again a masterpiece of epic proportions combining unique and intense gameplay with an inspiring soundtrack, a captivating storyline, and stunning visuals that push the graphical limits of the PlayStation 2 to new heights.

"Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is the pinnacle of the MGS series," said Jason Enos, Product Manager for Konami Digital Entertainment - America. "The game contains all the amazing tactical espionage elements fans have come to expect from an MGS game, plus it incorporates new in-depth gameplay features such as close quarters combat (CQC), camo index, food capturing and the cure system, which once again redefines the entire stealth video game genre."

Set in the 1960s, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is the definitive stealth action experience with extraordinary depth and new gameplay mechanics. Moving beyond the series' signature radar control, the game thrusts players into a fully interactive and immersive jungle environment. Gamers must rely on elements such as the "camouflage index" to blend into the environments to sneak past enemies undetected or use the game's unique and in-depth hand-to-hand combat "CQC" system to take down their foes. Utilizing the new camouflage index, players can change the patterns on Snake's clothes as well as his face paint in order to blend into the surroundings, allowing him to avoid enemy detection or sneak up on his enemies. Players will be able to acquire different camouflage patterns throughout the game as well as download new camo designs online.

Adding incredible realism and depth to the game, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater incorporates a "cure system," where players will be able to heal Snake when he is injured during battle. Untreated wounds will affect the player's health, and thus, affect the outcome of their mission. Furthermore, players will need to feed on animals, flora and fauna to survive in the jungle. Through the "food capturing" system, Snake can hunt for food and store the items in his inventory. Taking the realism of the game a step further, food will rot if gamers hold onto uneaten items for long periods of time. Players will need to carefully monitor Snake's stamina and health by eating and also treating injuries in order to properly move through the game.

Unleashing a game on par with a major film production, Kojima has tapped a pool of Hollywood talent including, renowned director Kyle Cooper (Seven, Spider-Man and Mission: Impossible) to create an interactive opening sequence, as well as famed musical composer Harry Gregson-Williams (Shrek, The Rock, The Replacement Killers and Enemy of the State) to create the blockbuster musical score for the game.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is available exclusively for the PlayStation 2 for an SRP of $49.99 and rated "M" for Mature by the ESRB. For more information on the game, please visit: www.konami.com/mgs3.

About METAL GEAR(R)

The Metal Gear(R) franchise is in its 17th year, with the first Metal Gear(R) release debuting in Japan in 1987. The series centered on the adventures of secret agent Solid Snake and was consistently recognized for its new and original game design combined with a story full of plot twists and intricate human drama. In 1998, Konami introduced Metal Gear Solid(R) for the Sony PlayStation(R) game console, which was instantly noted for its stunning graphics, original narrative style and superlative gameplay. Metal Gear Solid(R) earned widespread critical acclaim and defined a benchmark of quality in the action genre. Building on the precedent set by the top-selling original title, Metal Gear Solid(R)2: Sons of Liberty(TM) was released in 2001 for the Sony PlayStation(R)2 with overwhelming praise from gamers and industry pundits worldwide, selling over 2 million units in the U.S. and over 5 million units worldwide. In 2002, Konami released, Metal Gear Solid(R)2: Substance(TM), the expanded edition of Metal Gear Solid(R)2: Sons of Liberty(TM), for the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft, PlayStation(R)2 and PC DVD-ROM with much fan fare. In 2003, the amazing storyline and world of Metal Gear Solid(R) combined with the graphics and gameplay of Metal Gear Solid(R)2 to create Metal Gear Solid(R) The Twin Snakes(TM) for Nintendo GameCube(TM). In 2004, Hideo Kojima takes the tactical espionage action genre that the Metal Gear(R) series defined to a completely new direction in Metal Gear Solid(R)3: Snake Eater(TM) for the Sony PlayStation(R)2.