Updated preview: On the heels of the Tokyo Game Show, screenshots have surfaced of the next iteration of Metal Gear Solid. Judging from these shots - and you will have to see them for your own eyes - Solid Snake (aka Dave) is looking quite a bit older than when we last saw him in MGS2. Also a couple of things to note - he's still smoking, has a robotic partner (possibly from Snatcher!) and check out Otocan. He's looking a little older as well. Wonder if he's still into anime and comic books? Unfortunately until we get some news from creator Hideo Kojima himself regarding MGS4 at TGS we're kinda still in the dark. Check out the screens though. We'll have some bigger ones very soon.

Previous Preview: Back when Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was in development it wasn't entirely clear whether Hideo Kojima - Metal Gear's esteemed creative genius - would be back to oversee the next installment. E3 goers were treated to a humerous trailer of MGS4 which involved Snake having absolutely no where to hide and desperately trying to nab a chair before the creative team behind MGS4 could occupy them. The climax of the trailer came when Kojima's name appeared on the back of the director's chair and it was shown that Kojima himself will oversee the design, as well as direct and produce the game.

Kojima recently established Kojima Productions, an all new development house operated under the umbrella of Konami with himself at the helm, which will be responsible for developing the game and future projects for Konami.

MGS4 will take place after the events of MGS2: Sons of Liberty and Raiden haters everywhere will be pleased to know that the game will star good ole Dave, AKA Solid Snake. Kojima has went on record stating this will be Snake's hardest infiltration game to date, as there will be "no place to hide". Kojima has recently stated that Snake will always have to be on his toes in the fourth game as the environments will be unpredictable. For example, if you're accustomed to hiding behind crates or under trucks, what would happen if someone jumped in the truck and drove it away or what would you do if a crane removed the crate you were using for cover? Certainly the fear factor will be ramped up to 11 if your hiding spots keep disappearing.

Kojima maintains that he wants to create a living world for MGS4 rather than a "set". If you think of the environments in games as movie sets, you'll be close to aligning your thinking to the Konami designer. Instead of creating a jungle set, in which MGS3 took place in, Kojima envisions creating a "real" game world which would start out by growing virtual plants and having total control over the nature within the environment. This world would be more tangible rather than creating a digitial world where you place in objects such as furniture, buildings and we assume enemies. If you're completely lost, don't worry. You're not alone. I'm thinking Kojima has had a few too many late nights listening to Pink Floyd concept albums while eating funny mushrooms. Perhaps he'll explain this in further detail or just come outright and say "Hey, kidding. Man you guys will believe anything as long as I keep this sour puss look on my face."

The only thing we know for sure is that chubby effeminate fitness guru Richard Simmons will be providing the voice for Solid Snake this time around. Nah, that's not true, but I'm hoping to start some really moronic internet rumors. Keep your eyes on this page, because the moment we learn anything new, we'll post it. Tell mom and dad you can no longer attend school because of this.