Hideo Kojima’s next game – Tornado Outbreak?

Hideo Kojima’s “Kojima Productions” is best known for cranking out highly-acclaimed titles in the Metal Gear Solid franchise – most recently my game of the year for 2008, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.  So then, when a teaser website went up for Kojima’s next project a whole lot of buzz was generated in the gaming industry.  The most obvious conclusion is that the Metal Gear Solid franchise had not concluded despite the finality of MGS4, but the latest developments might be pointing to an entirely new franchise.

First of all you have to consider the teaser website.  It initially showed a flash video of a field of grass with ominous looking clouds being blown by a stiff wind.  The website was just recently updated though, and now there is the addition of thunder and lightning, as well as a countdown clock.  Another noteworthy addition is the appearance of an “S” or “5″ outline in the video whenever lightning strikes.  Very interesting.

To be honest this website would be pretty vague if not for a possible leak by Gamefly.com.  Gamefly put up a placeholder for a new Playstation 3 game called “Tornado Outbreak” which is being published by Konami, the same publisher who works with Kojima Productions.  The game’s page has no artwork, rating or release date but given the publisher and the title’s link to the themes in the teaser content a lot of folks are assuming that Tornado Outbreak is what we’ll get.

Obviously if this is the case a lot of Metal Gear fans will be pretty disappointed.  Given the overwhelming success derived from Solid Snake’s exploits, why would Kojima stray from his trademark franchise?  Taking into account what we’ve seen, a stormy field animation possibly tied to a game called “Tornado Outbreak,” the concept seems muddled.  Will it be some sort of storm chaser simulation?  What an odd concept.  Still, it could be something entirely different.  The title wouldn’t necessarily depict the content or gameplay, but perhaps the setting.  Some have suggested that it could be a new survival horror IP similar to Silent Hill or Siren, which instead takes place in the midwest during a bout of severe weather.  Add to that the fact that these are all just rumors and here-say, and we find ourselves knee-deep in speculation.

It’s entirely possible that Tornado Outbreak is not Kojima Productions’ next project, and that a new Metal Gear Solid game will be announced.  However, even if that isn’t the case, I trust these guys.  No matter what they decide to do I believe that they’re one of the most forward-thinking Japanese developers who understand and respect Western audiences and development styles, and they never let a game go out the door that hasn’t been polished to a blindingly-bright shine.  Quality is not an issue when Kojima is involved, so no matter what we’ll get a great game out of the deal whether it’s based on a new franchise or not.

You can see the website right here: http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/next/