Except for the guys at Kojima Productions, no one knows the exact release date for Metal Gear Solid 4, which has been pegged with a Q2 2008 estimate by Konami, its publisher. However, it seems that the game is in its “last push” according to the weekly Kojima Productions Report podcast. Assistant producer Ryan Payton revealed that the game is now playable from start to finish and is about to enter the testing phase.

Payton also revealed that they will soon release further information on the game, including its release date, packaging content and various game details.

The Leipzig Games Convention has seen a new Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots trailer being released. The event is also host to new information regarding the game: series creator Hideo Kojima has unveiled the “Beauties and the Beasts” theme that runs through the game, revealing four new enemies. These creatures are unique ‘boss’ creatures and are all tied to the series. Scoop:

The characters - Laughing Octopus, Raging Raven, Crying Wolf, and Screaming Mantis - are empowered with special, supernatural abilities and have individual back stories that outline how they have become the beings they are. All were initially good people who, for various reasons linked to events in the Metal Gear Solid series and events they have seen in countless wars, are now altered beyond all recognition both physically and mentally - and are perfect examples of the ‘Beauties and the Beasts’ themes that run throughout MGS4.

Check out the trailer below.

GamePro sat down with Hideo Kojima, the dude behind the Metal Gear series, and talk about Metal Gear Solid 4. Though Kojima dances around most of the questions, he does offer a few juicy bits. First up is the fact that he wants to develop for PC and Xbox 360:

“Well, yes, I do have strong interest in creating something for the Xbox 360. In the US and Europe, it is selling, and I think it will sell a lot this year as well. I’m a fan of Gears of War as well, it’s very interesting.

Frankly speaking, I want to create something on the PC. It’s a multi-platform [format]. I’ve been regularly studying work on the PC anyways, and I want to provide something as a world-wide platform because of the consequences with timing on the PlayStation platforms, MGS4 is actually for the PS3 only so far.”

The second bit is him talking about online plans for MGS4. Apparently, Sony is yet to outline their online plans to him:

“Well, actually, Sony has not really spoken with us about their online plans. What I have is Metal Gear Online, and I’m always thinking of how we can conduct this plan on the Sony platform.”

He also talks about next-gen space requirement, coding for PS3, weapons in MGS4, as well as this bit on the 2007 release period for the game:

“We don’t know, because the guy who said 2007 was Raiden, and not me. [laughter]“

No more!

Heavenly Sword

Metal Gear Solid 4

Motorstorm

Resistance: Fall of Man

Ninja Gaiden Sigma

Some new Metal Gear Solid 4 screenshots from the Leipzig Games Convention: