NEWS: Hideo Kojima Discusses Dark Themes Throughout Metal Gear Solid V

Kojima has spoken out on the sensitive themes throughout Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain.

Speaking with Gamespot, series creator Hideo Kojima has highlighted his thoughts on how it's important for video-games to include dark themes and questionable subjects.

His first point is how the gaming industry can increase their cultural relevance, saying:

"If we don't cross that line, if we don't make attempts to express what we really want to express, games will only be games."

"I didn't want to stay away from these things that could be conisdered sensitive. If we don't go that far, games will never be considered as culture."

Kojima then goes on to discuss how the characters from hit TV show Breaking Bad go that extra mile to convey their message, and how this had influenced his way of thinking:

"In Breaking Bad, I also see that these guys are trying to to the limit; trying to take it as far as they can to try to get their message across. For us as well. In games we have to got the limit; we want to stay within this limit of how far pushing the boundaries of conveying our message. We look around and we don't see too many games like this; that is unfortunate."

And last but not least, Kojima highlights one of the themes we can expect in Metal Gear Solid V; that of revenge and various criticisms himself and possibly the rest of Konami might receive by including controversial content:

"One of the main topics of Metal Gear Solid V is this chain of revenge. That is something that I really didn't want to step back from, I really didn't want to go around it."

"I know that I will probably face a lot of critcism because of it but I really wanted to portray that accurately."

Whilst Kojima believes Metal Gear Solid V is going to go all-out with its content and themes, he finishes off by saying:

"I don't think neccessarily that all games have to go this far; in our case we have a strong message that we want to convey."

Ground Zeroes is to hit shelves first in North America on March 18, then Japan and Europe on March 20 - The Phantom Pain is to release after with no date confirmed as of yet. It was recently announced the price of Ground Zeroes is to be reduced - read more HERE.

NEWS: Exclusive DLC Available For MGS V: The Phantom Pain

Konami has detailed various advantages of purchasing Ground 
Zeroes earlier rather than later.

A press release from Konami has given players reasons to purchase the upcoming Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes during its initial release.

An exclusive DLC which promises "players with additional resources for a Mother Base area", meaning upon eventually starting Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, will award you extra staff to give you the upper hand when heading into The Phantom Pain.

Those who want to take part in these specific benefits must purchase Ground Zeroes during its first batch of release and also for a "limited period of time for the digital version."

Ground Zeroes is to hit shelves March 18 and acts as a short prequel to The Phantom Pain - both will be available on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

NEWS: Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes - Spring 2014 Launch

Konami has revealed the highly anticipated MGS5: Ground Zeroes will be available in the spring of 2014.

In the newest blog post from the official Konami website, details have surfaced revealing the game's release date and the initial launch price.

Ground Zeroes is a prologue leading to the events of The Phantom Pain, Konami describe the game as a prologue that "brings all of the hallmarks of the renowned franchise in a concentrated story mode that guides players into the new gameplay mechanics against the backdrop of the expansive Metal Gear Solid universe."

The FOX Engine is being used for both Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain - creator the series Hideo Kojima said:

"The advanced capabilities of the FOX Engine are allowing me to express the story of Metal Gear Solid in a new way. As such, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes has been designed to introduce key elements, while setting up the events of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain."

The game's retail price has been set at a suggested $29.99, which is around £19 in the UK - however, the digital version will be at a fixed price of $19.99 (approx £12). The game will release nationwide spring 2014, with no specific date revealed, and will be available on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.