Solid Snake mastermind Hideo Kojima has confirmed that work is shortly to begin on Metal Gear Solid 4.
Speaking to press at Konami"s European launch event for Metal Gear Solid 3, currently underway in Berlin, Germany, Kojima-san revealed that Metal Gear Solid 4 "will be a next-generation title" and went on to say that number four will kick off a brand new series featuring Solid Snake. Although Kojima-san was giving away few extra details, he did let slip that the concept of Metal Gear Solid 4 will be "No place to hide". He also quipped that there would be "No place for Hideo". He plans to tack a step back and assume the role of executive producer on MGS 4, meaning he won"t be as hands-on with the sequel as he was with Metal Gear Solid 3.
Stepping in as producer on Metal Gear Solid 4 is Ken-Ichiro Imaizumi. "We"ll be taking it [MGS 4] to the next-gen and we want to feature a fresh, intriguing storyline and gameplay plus captivating graphics and more features while remaining true to the core of the MGS series - remaining Solid. We hope you"ll enjoy," Imaizumi-san told an excited press gathering at Konami"s event.