Metal Gear Solid 4 infamous install times revealed

  • Posted June 9th, 2008 at 12:58 EDT by
  • 16,378 views
  • 53 Comments

Konami has tried to keep everyone tight-lipped on their install times for Metal Gear Solid 4, however with the street date being cast aside by some retailers, the details have emerged as expected. While most are definitely tired of the standard mandatory installs that games of this generation have brought forth, MGS4 seems like one of the only titles fans won't be complaining about.

A source from the popular internet forum, neoGAF, is reporting that the total install size is set at roughly 4.6GBs of data.

This install amount takes place as the game progresses from the time you load the disk up, to just before each act of the game. We've included the specific install times below for each segment of the title.

Start-up: 8 Minutes
Act 2: 3 Minutes
Act 3: 3 Minutes
Act 4: 2 Minutes
Act 5: 1 Minute

Unlike games before it, MGS4 won't just have you sitting idly by while watching a small percentage bar inch across the screen. Instead, you'll be treated to conversations between characters to help pass the time and make each install seem effortless and not so mandatory despite it being so.

With only 3 days left, we're sure more information will creep up, so PSU will do its best to bring you specific news that won't spoil any of the game itself for our readers without proper warning first.

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What are your thoughts?

  1. DemonOfRazgriz07 | DemonOfRazgriz07

    • 1:00pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 1

    hmm. that sounds good. i wish other games were like this!

  2. XenoSilvano | XenoSilvano

    • 1:11pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 2

    ohh I just like on the video; where snake is smoking his cigs

  3. AndyD | AndysPants

    • 1:13pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 3

    As long as there are cutscenes covering it, its great.

  4. Fiddlesworth

    • 1:16pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 4

    A bit like The Darkness then. Except only five times throughout the game so specific dialogue for each chapter intro I guess.

  5. JD-82 | JD-82

    • 1:28pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 5

    gutted that it's ANOTHER forced install though...i'm gonna have to go buy a 250GB drive soon just so i cen keep installing all of these ruddy games.

  6. Fiddlesworth

    • 1:30pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 6

    You know you don't have to keep games you're not playing any more installed.

  7. jjlikesfootball

    • 1:55pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 7

    That's pretty good, more devs should do it that way for the whiners.

  8. InfernoReaper | GrimDarkling

    • 1:58pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 8

    Hmm, so it is revealed the game has at least 5 acts?

  9. Untildeath89 | willmakenewonesoon

    • 2:01pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 9

    And for mgs im guessing those 5 acts are pretty long, so people should get a break when they have finished 1/5 of a game like mgs.

  10. Odium_Generis_Humani

    • 2:01pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 10

    It's not the time (for me anyway, I have a thing old people call patience), it's the HDD space.  Bah!  I guess I'll finally upgrade it.

  11. 1solidsnake | solid1snake67

    • 2:01pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 11

    that's good the cutscenes will cover the install times. but, i guess after those installs when you play a 2nd time you don't have to do it?  and then it will just be the usual loading screen when you walk into a different area.   God i can't wait until wenesday night.

  12. tadpole3159 | faulkner8991

    • 2:09pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 12

    i need this game i'm so hyped up, i brough a magazine with a cutout cardboard box on the back page. im about to put it together.

    check out my website, i made metal gear rex in maya. you can buy it on turbosquid
    TadPole - Home

  13. Cesarcsrf | Cesarcsrf

    • 2:15pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 13

    just like TES the game data was installed during the game it self u don't even notice

  14. JMelillo57 | jmelillo57

    • 2:27pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 14

    Who cares about about install times? What did you really think was going to happen when you have hard drives pre-installed? I am sick and tired of people complaining about every little thing.

  15. BOZTRADAMUS | BOZTRADAMUS

    • 2:42pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 15

    I dont mind myself but.

    Psu havent you just spoiled it for people that didnt want to know how many acts there are, by saying there are 5 acts?

    Then you say you wont try spoil things?

  16. DaveW | BOZTRADAMUS

    • 2:48pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 16

    Knowing how many acts there are, hardly spoils anything.

  17. BlueRevolvuR | BlueRevolvuR

    • 2:51pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 17

    Actually for a game like MGS4, the installation is worth it

  18. Dark_Halo34 | Dark_Halo34

    • 3:02pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 18

    not 2 bad

  19. AnimaOnline | AnimaOnline

    • 3:02pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 19

    Why would you say how many acts there were?
    Not a single spoiler alert either...

  20. Staticneuron | Staticneuron

    • 3:05pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 20

    That sounds great. Man kojima just knows whats needed in these situations.

  21. DaveW | Staticneuron

    • 3:08pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 21

    Lol -- Even if it were labeled, Startup, Install 2, Install 3, Install 4, Install 5.....You'd still figure it out. How many acts are in a game is like how many chapters are in a book, it's not a spoiler.

     

    You guys need to quit throwing around the word "spoiler" like it's oxygen. These aren't spoilers.

     

    Spoiler: "Information about a game's plot or ending that would ruin the enjoyment of the title for someone who has never played it."

  22. FantasyStar | Tirin

    • 3:19pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 22

    Although these times aren't that bad, it was wrong of Konami to censor this information. Everything else story-related is fine, such as the length of cut-scenes but to ask reviewers to not talk about the install-times as well is criminal and a true-act of "The Patriots".

    Konami -2 respect points

  23. edward_moffet | edd

    • 3:25pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 23

    not bad at all really i mean they put cutscenes and its not like people wouldnt take breaks to get something to drink or whatever anyway

  24. kudoshinchi | kudoshinchi

    • 3:30pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 24

    That why Kojima is awsome. a little humor converstaion pass our time is great

  25. jphuff | jhuff

    • 4:35pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 25

    See, that I won't mind at all. With something to do or watch during loads...big deal.  So THIS is part of the reason EGM wouldn't review the game?  Again, doesn't affect gameplay the way they're done (Heavenly Sword did level loading while cutscenes played too) so WHY again couldn't they review it?  LAME!

  26. gingo | gingo

    • 5:19pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 26

    psn id: gingo.... glad theres stuff to watch while the updates are going on loading bars a so boring so annoying when all games have are those

  27. Alti | Alti

    • 5:39pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 27

    andyD said it best.


  28. Limmex

    • 5:41pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 28

    Looking forward to playing this now

  29. xX.Red.Xx | xI-Red-Ix

    • 6:35pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 29

    posting the acts aren't spoilers perse BUT when someone who read this and is installing part 5 and then says wow im at the end...thats how i look at it...

  30. DaveW | xI-Red-Ix

    • 6:38pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 30

    Chances are, by the time you're at Act 5, you're going to know you're near the end.

  31. xX.Red.Xx | xI-Red-Ix

    • 6:45pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 31

    true that.

  32. Xdeth | Xdeth

    • 6:59pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 32

    I wish more games would do this. I don't mind having to install for faster load times, but a least treat us to something while we wait.

  33. Alpha2

    • 7:32pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 33

    I would have to assume all the installs are one time deals. basically so you arnt waiting for a total of 17 minutes for the whole game to install. I guess my brand new 320gb HDD will come in handy this week!

  34. Uncool | Admodistrator

    • 9:15pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 34

    At least they are bothering to include something to make sure the wait is worth it. Seriously more companies ought to do this if they have loading screens  = prevent your audience from falling asleep by having them enveloped in a story unfolding.

  35. VONRIPPLE | VONRIPPLE

    • 9:40pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 35

    can't wait for this game .GAME OF THE YEAR!

  36. Free_Agent

    • 10:53pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 36

    I think the installation format they chose is pretty cool. 8-minute install at the beginning isn't bad at all, and gets you right into the game. This game is gonna be alot of fun.

  37. Atreides

    • 11:19pm BST - June 9th, 2008
    • 37

    It would be nice if they gave you the option to install the whole thing upfront though.

  38. Sosa33

    • 1:21am BST - June 10th, 2008
    • 38

    I cant wait anymore... lol

     

  39. Rolovis | Rolovis

    • 1:24am BST - June 10th, 2008
    • 39

    I swear, we're gonna know everything about this game before it even comes out. I really, honestly would've liked to be surprised by the eight minute start up install, but NOO.

  40. TobiUchiha | TobiUchiha

    • 2:57am BST - June 10th, 2008
    • 40

    OMG I KNEW THAT 2 WEEKS AGO all i did was pick up the box and look on the back in my local GAME

  41. killercop | killercop

    • 3:20am BST - June 10th, 2008
    • 41

    WHY DO THEY MAKE INSTALLS?! WHYYY??!!!

     

    If every game had installs our HDD's will be filled to the max. I just don't get it... -.-

     

    4.6 GB is much!!!

  42. chilledbreeze7

    • 3:54am BST - June 10th, 2008
    • 42

    I know some games can take a while to install before you can play them, but SO WHAT, be patient, stop complaining and get over it already!!! ...and if you need to upgrade your hard drive, then upgrade it! The online store where I got my 250gb drive a year back, now sells it for £70 which I think is pretty good.

  43. bucko | BuckoDessie

    • 4:01am BST - June 10th, 2008
    • 43

    Umm Sony can you buy me a new Hard Drive so when I play more games I can install them, I can't see my 40GB drive with Linux cutting it, I'm gonna have to upgrade.

  44. tillz | tillz

    • 4:57am BST - June 10th, 2008
    • 44

    cool i dont care if its 60 gb ill delete anything i can to make room :D

  45. LittleB69 | MightyB69

    • 6:49am BST - June 10th, 2008
    • 45

    Why would they try to hide that? Does not sound like that big of a problem to me.

  46. pizzamonkio

    • 6:54am BST - June 10th, 2008
    • 46

    thats actually a great idea having it only install the part of the game you have actually made it to. logical. also i bet the cutscenes will provide some quirky mgs humour. good job.

  47. Walo

    • 1:07pm BST - June 10th, 2008
    • 47

    Just like in MGS1 where the load times were covered by the cutscenes. A very smart idea, typical of Kojima.

  48. bnolan56 | snowy311

    • 5:25pm BST - June 10th, 2008
    • 48

    I really dont care how long it takes, I can do other things and I have a thing I like to call patience..and I'm the one who actually has ADHD in contrast to editors who are just impatient "grown-up brats"

  49. itr855pr | Sotehhh

    • 8:35pm BST - June 10th, 2008
    • 49

    2 be honest i dont care if it takes a 2 hour install to play this game... i just wanna play it thats it :) No desperation on my part cause unless the world ends before thursday i will get my copy :) so whatever happens im just waiting patiently :) and about firmware 2.4 relax people why stress over something that is made for entertainment... ;)

  50. dogfish1983 | dogfish1983

    • 6:48am BST - June 11th, 2008
    • 50

    oh my god its not even that bad waiting 10 minutes for and install.  but whatever.

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