Metal Gear Solid 3: The Countdown
by Ramesh Yarlagadda , 26.10.2004

It is a common practice in Japan for game developers to release a “guidebook” for an upcoming game few weeks before it’s release. It’s meant to hype the game release and also provide all information that has been released so far regarding that particular game. They are preview type books that have every detail on the game released so far, along with lots of new info and some surprising bit of details in it. They provide production details, interviews etc.

Metal Gear Solid 3: The Countdown is a guidebook released only in Japan that lists all the MGS3 information that has been released so far. It also has quite a lot of new information and interviews with the staff. This book is also a guide that is meant to prepare players for the game. It provides detailed information on all gameplay feature, characters and story backdrop.

The outside of the book has a sticker which says:

TOP SECRET

This contains top secret intelligence brought back from the front lines, and the following important guidelines concerning FOX's objectives:

- A history and portrait of the MGS series.
- Pictures of MGS3 and the latest secret game and character info.
- A background of the era that MGS3 takes place in.
- Missions details and a review to help you decode MGS3's secrets.
- On-location research photos and a conversation with Director Hideo Kojima.
- Helpful information related to the mission's objectives.

There are approximately two months remaining until FOX's sure-to-be memorable inaugural mission. Please use this to prepare for that day, and look forward to perfection.

For Authorized Personnel Only

FOX

The Sections in the book are:

WHAT IS "MGS"?
This section contains all the keywords and comments that define Metal Gear Solid series. Overall it’s basic introduction to what Metal Gear series is based on: stealth

HISTORY OF "MGS"
Even Metal gear game is explained in a detailed summary. The pages are divided according to game with core story explained along with "updated" MG2SS story. Also keywords of each game listed.

"MGS3" OVERVIEW
In this section the up-to-date work on MGS3 is listed and explained in detail. This section covers:

- Story
- Gameplay systems
- Character art
- Chronological Timeline - real world & MGS events
- "The age of MGS3", the sixties explanation in full detail and history of time period.

MGS3 overview section has an introduction to the story and the background of game before the mission starts. Also full information on gameplay has been provided. They provided many new screens in this section when showing new gameplay techniques. They had information on Cure system, the day/night and weather changes and also information on camouflage and CQC. It is meant to prepare the readers to directly pickup MGS3 and play it without any problems. Also many weapons and equipments have been introduced and explained in this section of the book.

In addition, historical background of MG series is presented in a timeline along with the real world timeline. This timeline is center inlay at pg.12 that uses a photograph of a python as the backdrop for the chronological listing. The MGS side has total history of the series listed out including start of MGS3 events. The MGS timeline mixes in fiction and nonfiction. On the other side of the timeline is the real world timeline. This timeline is mostly focused on Cold war developments, creation of new equipment and also special force involvement during this period. On the back of this timeline is art by Shinkawa of the whole MGS3 characters.

There is also listing of when certain equipment, weapons were tested and used. Also hints and extra content has been given that will not be useful until the game comes out. They are mostly tips and some secret item locations.

RELIVE "MGS3"
This section has information on the opening scenario and also provides images and a review of it. It explains the scenario direction of the new introduction movie of the game. It is a "review" of the new style and explains the details of what you can do with it. This information on the Opening demo tells of what "paths" players can take with the opening. They say that this opening movie is meant to reflect the themes of the Metal Gear Solid series and also is the first proper introduction to the themes of MGS3.

DIRECTOR INTERVIEW
This is an interview with Hideo Kojima that is in conversation form. In this very interesting interview Hideo Kojima explained that MGS3 is more about the enemies than about snake. It is different from other Metal Gear games because MGS3 is more about the strongest enemies is the history-“Cobra Unit.”

PRODUCTION NOTES
This section is filled with informal “talks” with numerous staff members, like the Japanese voice actors, motion capture actors, etc. This section also has few storyboards of MGS3. MGS3 storyboards are bit different from past Metal gear games because they used real pictures as well as sketches to map out the story. There are also introductions to many instruments that were used for motion capturing and voice recording. There are also many pictures of the "field trips" they took into the jungles at Yaku island and Sagami Ko.

INFORMATION
In this section they listed the release dates for future Metal Gear Solid 3 products in Japan.

- Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater Official Guide: The Basics. out on 12/16
- Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater Official Guide: The Complete. out in mid-February
- The Art of Metal Gear Solid 3. out in late March
- "Snake Eater" song from Metal Gear Solid 3. out on 11/17 (Single Album)
- Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater original soundtrack. out on 12/15

This book is an excellent summary of the Metal Gear series and also a good history lesson on the world situation during the Sixties. Reading this book will deepen your knowledge of the series and get you ready for MGS3. Also the up-to-date information on the gameplay and game content will help you dive right into the game once you get it. This book also contains quite a lot of new screens and new character art. This is also the first time Signet has been officially shown to be a character in the game.

Currently the cheapest way for US/UK readers to get this book is through EBay. While this book is only about $8(USD) in Japan, the cheapest sale on EBay is about $17. On top of that you will have to pay about $10 for airmail from Japan. Overall this is an amazing book, but with the game only 20+ days (atleast in US) away from release I don’t think casual fans should import this book unless they are MGS collectors or intend to be one in the future. This book is sure to be a rare item just like past Metal Gear guidebooks were. These guide books become very rare in short time because they usually are the first public product released for sale regarding that particular game.

Some Interesting Information:

- Hideo Kojima said MGS3 has 1.6 times the Codec dialogue than there was in MGS2
- He also said that the game in not centered on the actual player (main character) but more on the enemies.
- Shinkawa says the second mission part is about 2 or 3 times the size of MGS2
- MGS3 has many secrets like Extra missions and Snake Tales.
- The Extra missions for example has a ZOE2 style mission (not sure in gamplay or story terms)
- Snake Tales are stories with characters like Solid Snake, Campbell, Naomi, Olga, ‘frank’ and a lot more.

"The fight in order to survive, has already started."

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