The first thing gamers knew about Metal Gear Solid 4 as it neared its release date was that the game would have epic-length cut-scenes. Now, it appears Hideo Kojima, creator of the series and director of the recently released game, has expressed regret at the epic volume of cut-scenes in the game, as well as his decision to make them non-interactive.

“Yes, I put everything in the cut sequences, which I kind of regret to some extent,” he said, adding that “maybe there is a new approach I should think about.”

Kojima then goes on to state that putting interactive cut-scenes that has become the recent trend in the games industry would have made it difficult for him to tell a story. “If I make multiple storylines and allow the users to select which story, this might really sacrifice the deep emotion the user might feel,” said the man. “When there’s a concrete storyline, and you kind of go along that rail, you feel the destiny of the story, which at the end, makes you feel more moved.

“But when you make it interactive - if you want multiple stories where you go one way or another - will that make the player more moved when he or she finishes the game? These two points are really the key which I am thinking about, and if this works, I think I could probably introduce a more interactive storytelling method.”

In related news, a fifth game in the series has been confirmed.

It may have been confirmed since the release of Metal Gear Solid 4, but Kojima Productions employee Ryan Payton, who served as a producer on the game, has confirmed that Metal Gear Solid 5 is on the way.

Leaving Kojima Productions for greener pasture, he revealed that “it’ll be hard not being involved in MGS5, but I’ve got the utmost confidence that Hideo Kojima, Ken Imaizumi and our amazing team will put together another blockbuster game.”

With the sequel years away, let’s focus on MGS4, on which many flamewars erupt in forums netwide, with gamers fighting over whether the game will be making its way to the Xbox 360.

Raining on the parade, Hideo Kojima reveals that “because [it] was optimized for the PS3 it is probably not possible [on the Xbox 360]“. He cited media and technology differences, among other things. He also seems annoyed at people for this reason.

“What kind of disturbs me sometimes, because a lot of people ask me about this PS3/360 question, is that it’s not about the hardware,” he said. “I want people to look at the game itself. Sometimes I even feel like it should be on a PC so that people don’t ask me about hardware and platforms.”

Pulling off an unexpected and surprising move, Konami has announced that North American gamers will be able to get the PC version of Silent Hill: Homecoming exclusively through Steam in the region; Europe will see a normal retail release.

No reason was given for the decision. The game arrives in North America next month on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360; Europe gets it in November.

Konami has announced that Clive Barker’s Jericho developer Mercury Steam is working on a new third-person action-adventure game titled Lords of Shadow.

Being developed for release on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2010, the game takes place in Southern Europe during the middle ages, telling the tale of one man’s “journey to discover the true meaning of sacrifice amidst murder and betrayal.”

There will be puzzle-solving and exploration and a weapon system dubbed “Combat Cross”. It allows a single weapon to perform a number of functions; e.g. the Combat Cross can be both a stabbing and a defensive weapon.

Shacknews reports that Silent Hill: Homecoming, the seventh entry in the venerable series, has been delayed from September to November. But then the site carries word from Konami’s US branch that the game is still due out in September in the region, with the site speculating that the November delay is applicable only to Europe.

Konami also announced that the PC edition will ship alongside the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions. It will be identical to its console brethren and will also be made available through Steam.

Konami today announced that the latest entry in the Pro Evolution Soccer series will be released in North America this Fall. Dubbed Pro Evolution Soccer 2009, the game will feature new moves, control elements, a major graphics upgrade, as well as enhanced online functionality.

It is in development for release on PC, PS2, PS3, PSP and Xbox 360. No exact release date was announced, though it is expected soon as Fall draws near.

Being none other than Captain Obvious, Konami today announced that Metal Gear Solid 4 led a 16.7% sales jump and massive growth of the company’s PS3 sales volume.

Konami revealed that the game moved three million units since its June 12 debut, pushing their PS3 business to 57.3% of its total sales in the quarter ending June 30. The figure is a massive improvement over the same period last year where PS3 sales accounted for just 1.3% of sales. The company added that sales of the game are still “steadily increasing.”

Konami has kindly released the final trailer for Metal Gear Solid 4. Be warned though, as it includes major spoilers. In addition to that, it is in Japanese, and includes zero subtitles. Snake will slithering on to the PS3 on June 12th.

Konami Digital Entertainment has dubbed the sixth installment of survival horror series Silent Hill, Silent Hill: Homecoming, and is expected to be in stores by the end of September in Europe. While the name could have been better, the game itself looks spectacular, and looks pretty promising. The title will be release on both the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 and is being developed by Foundation 9 studio. Some new footage has also surfaced, showing off the combat system and Alex Shepherd’s new design.

Read (GamesIndustry)