Speak no evil: restrictions on Metal Gear Solid 4 reviews clarified

So why was there a gag order placed on Metal Gear Solid 4 reviews anyway? Ryan Payton clarifies that this is something not to be alarmed about. After all, Kojima Productions did this for your own sake so that you would be able to keep a spoiler-free experience of playing through the game. Payton clarified matters on the install times, supposed 90-minute cutscenes, and what not. Check out the spoilerless details in the full article.

Apparently, there’s been some controversy surrounding the restrictions that Kojima Productions imposed on Metal Gear Solid 4 reviews. Remember when EGM didn’t want to review the game because of these limitations? Ryan Payton contacted Kotaku to clarify the dev team’s stand on why they had to give a leash on these reviews.

The long and short of Payton’s explanation is that basically all they were trying to do is to protect the gamer’s experience and hope that spoilers aren’t unintentionally leaked by the reviewer. So for Kojima Studios, imposing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) on these reviewers was the way to go.

Now the NDA was only for certain specific aspects of the game. Reviewers were asked to avoid spilling details about the technical side of things, listed by Ryan Payton as the following:

1. Install times
2. Length of cutscenes (the ending in particular)
3. Number of environments
4. Opening “movie”
5. Product placement
6. (Plus a half dozen story-specific items)

Looking at this list now, Payton says that it’s actually a bit outdated and that he’s able to clarify/confirm some of them. One of which is item #1 on the list. He says that MGS4 will have an 8-minute install requirement, and a couple of 2- to 3-minute installs between acts. Payton goes on clarifying more items on the list with the following (as emailed to Kotaku):

As for the cutscenes, reviewers are more than happy to comment on whether they’re too long or short. We simply want reviewers to refrain from describing which scenes are long, thus spoiling some of the experience because players will know what to expect when a scene is unfolding.

I want to make it clear that, from today, reviewers are welcome to discuss the length of the cutscenes and install times, but we ask that they not get too specific about the cinematic times and what happens in later install sequences…

But as for the next three items, we are still asking reviewers to avoid these topics. We want the opening to be a huge surprise for gamers, and knowing how many environments there are in the game, obviously, is a spoiler. These restrictions will remain in place.

Finally, we’ve asked reviewers to not write about some of the product placement because of some contractual agreements we have with third parties.

Makes sense. Some technical details could, after all, end up spoiler certain key elements in the game.

Say, if someone reviewing MGS on the PSOne said “there’s a boss in the game wherein you have to switch your controller into another port,” that’d basically rob you off of some gaming experience right there (given of course that you haven’t played MGS – good god, where’ve you been?). Well, the Psycho Mantis bit isn’t so much as a story spoiler, but more a gaming experience spoiler.

So if you think about it, the gag orders for MGS4 reviews are indeed for your protection. And in case you find yourself doing your own review and maybe posting it on your blog or whatnot, it might pay to also keep yourself in check when spilling some details.

To check out Ryan Payton’s full email to Kotaku, click the Via link below.