1. Sony Need a Quick Win
With Microsoft striking a deal with Activision Blizzard, Sony needs to move quickly and establish a counter move. Buying the rights toMetal Gear Solidwould represent a good one.
The franchise already has a rich history on the PlayStation console, one that would be propelled back into the modern era with Hideo Kojima regaining access to his prized series.
Even something as “small” as releasing the final mission fromMetal Gear Solid 5would be a big statement of intent for the future by one of gaming’s greatest masters.
There have been rumors about Sony buying the rights toMetal Gear Solidbefore. Ever since Kojima joined Sony, those rumors have grown more intense. But as far as timing? Now would be the perfect time.
2. Konami Has No Plans for MGS
What has Konami done with theMetal Gear Solidfranchise in the time since Hideo Kojima’s departure? Well, they madeMetal Gear Survive, a zombie survival game—that immediately collapsed.
Without the creator overseeing and crafting the dense stories thatMetal Gear Solidis known for, the franchise feels crippled. Konami apparently doesn’t know what to do with it, and it’s destined to fade away.
However, as anyMetal Gear Solidfan will tell you, there’s still so much story left to explore and unpack and experience. Hideo Kojima clearly has a lot more that he wants to tell, whether he’d admit it or not.
With no indication that Konami wants to invest in the series, they could walk away with a solid bit of cash if they just sold it to Sony and relieved themselves of that burden. And Sony has the bargaining power to acquire the franchise for a good price, making it a win-win.
Related:Every Metal Gear Solid game, ranked
3. MGS Fans Want to See More
WithMetal Gear Solidlacking any sort of tangible future under Konami’s ownership, the revival of the franchise under Sony would be a gaming comeback akin to that of a resurrected Lazarus.
After the incomplete masterpiece that wasThe Phantom Pain, fans picked at the game’s code to find parts that were left out from the final cut. Lo and behold, they found a treasure trove of scenes and ideas that Konami wouldn’t allow Hideo Kojima to complete.
The return ofMetal Gear Solidunder Hideo Kojima’s production label at Sony would be huge news for gamers everywhere. The series is a landmark in storytelling and gaming mechanics, always looking to push the envelope of surrealism and narrative uniqueness.
Fans love the franchise and they want to see more from it. We want to learn the secrets of the Diamond Dogs and we want to know what pushed Big Boss over the edge in the end.
This means theMetal Gear Solidfranchise still has potential to rake in a lot more money, making it a franchise worth acquiring.
4. A Possible PlayStation Exclusive
The PlayStation 5 is decimating the Xbox Series X|S in sheer sales. Even with the global shortage of semi-conductors, Sony’s gaming console is completely dominating the market over Microsoft’s offering.
Still, in a battle like this—between two behemoth companies—every bit of advantage helps, and console exclusivity is a powerful weapon when wielded at the right time under the right circumstances.
While theCall of Dutyfranchise is too massive for Microsoft to limit to a single platform, it wouldn’t be unusual for theMetal Gear Solidfranchise to become an exclusive. It did start off as exclusives on the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 gaming consoles, after all.
TheMetal Gear Solidlegacy reaches back over three decades, and it could become a jewel under Sony’s belt.
As gaming companies continue to consolidate smaller studios under big houses, it’ll be interesting to see how each one moves in their quests for content—a quest that should featureMetal Gear Solidas a prominent attraction for Sony and PlayStation.
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