Sony announced today that two different Playstation 3 - Metal Gear Solid 4 hardware bundles will be released on June 12, 2008 along with the game's standard and Limited editions.
"Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" Standard Edition includes the full game of MGS4 as well as the Metal Gear Online "Starter Pack". If you have put in the extra effort to pre-order with a participating retailer/store location, while supplies last, you can also obtain the "Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2" DVD with MGO Beta Unique Product Voucher Code. Additionally, exclusively available through GameStop, customers reserving the "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" Standard Edition will receive an exclusive MGS4 Art Book at time of purchase. This offer is good while supplies last, see stores for details. The MSRP of the "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" Standard Edition is $59.99 USD.
"Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" Limited Edition will be available exclusively through GameStop. The MGS4 LE contains everything the SE offers as well as a collectible box with exclusive artwork by famed Kojima Productions illustrator Yoji Shinkawa, an additional Blu-ray disc containing two unique and never-before-seen Metal Gear Solid "Making of..." documentaries, and the MGS4 Soundtrack. Additionally, customers reserving the "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" Limited Edition will receive an exclusive MGS4 Art Book at time of purchase. This offer is good while supplies last, see stores for details. The MSRP of the "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" Limited Edition is $84.99 USD.
For the "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle, the PS3 will be packaged in a white box as opposed to the typical black one, and of course, is also branded with MGS4 goodness! Inside you will find the 80GB PLAYSTATION 3 package (yes, the 80GB PS3 has been resurrected for this bundle), and will include a PS3 DualShock 3 controller and the MGS4 SE (detailed above).
"Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots" Limited Edition PLAYSTATION 3 Hardware Bundle will include a "gunmetal grey" PS3, but no more information has been released about it.
Finally, the MGO "Starter Pack" that comes with MGS4 is a full-fledged, fully-featured multiplayer component of MGS4. It is not a "demo" or "teaser" in any way, as some have speculated. It comes packed with maps, weapons/items, an in-depth character creator - where your character can be personalized, and most importantly, customized - with special abilities that can be "leveled" and improved through experience, the SOP system, and much more. There will also be an extremely deep community experience through a specialized portal that will feature "stats, communication, and other never before seen features".
So, why is it called a "Starter Pack"? Because it's just the beginning. Kojima has a huge slate of downloadable content planned for the game which encompasses new maps, weapons/items, and much more.
