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What Is Metal Gear Solid Existence?

It's a trademark Konami has just registered in Japan. But is it a new version of MGS4? A new game entirely? Who knows!

Revealing, yes?
Revealing, yes?
Siliconera (via Kotaku) has just uncovered a recent registration in the Japanese trademark office for a "Metal Gear Solid Existence" as registered by one "Konami." Hmm. No other details provided besides that oh-so-revealing image to the right there. Siliconera speculates this game (if it even is a game) will somehow go back to the "origins" of the MGS franchise and maybe once again feature everybody's favorite Most Famous Soldier, Big Boss. But haven't we pretty much covered the Metal Gear timeline from start to finish by now? My instinct is not to get so excited.

Devil's advocate in me wants to say this is merely the new-content-heavy repackaging of MGS4, just like you saw Substance follow MGS2 and Subsistence releasing not long after MGS3. The verbiage (Substance, Subsistence, Existence) is certainly similar enough. But then, there's no "4" anywhere in this new title, so could it be something entirely different? As Jeff and I agreed on a recent Bombcast, Konami ought to drop the "Solid" moniker now that Solid Snake's story is done, get back to the core Metal Gear franchise and start over with a new naming convention. But in the age of persistent marketing and eternal product branding, I fear the Metal Gear Solid name will live on in new products ad nauseam.

What do you think MGS Existence is? What would you want it to be?

UPDATE: Siliconera reports that Konami also registered "Existence" alone in the U.S. on August 11.

But then, some attentive readers in the comments pointed out that Existence is also the name of the bonus DVD included with Subsistence, as confirmed in this quote from Wikipedia.

"Limited Edition" copies of Subsistence also include Existence, the game's cut scenes edited into a three-and-a-half-hour feature film with additional scenes and remastered sound.

The plot thins? Doesn't explain why these trademarks were just now registered, though; I'm still betting on something new. Or at least hoping.
Brad Shoemaker on Google+

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Brad

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Edited By Brad
Revealing, yes?
Revealing, yes?
Siliconera (via Kotaku) has just uncovered a recent registration in the Japanese trademark office for a "Metal Gear Solid Existence" as registered by one "Konami." Hmm. No other details provided besides that oh-so-revealing image to the right there. Siliconera speculates this game (if it even is a game) will somehow go back to the "origins" of the MGS franchise and maybe once again feature everybody's favorite Most Famous Soldier, Big Boss. But haven't we pretty much covered the Metal Gear timeline from start to finish by now? My instinct is not to get so excited.

Devil's advocate in me wants to say this is merely the new-content-heavy repackaging of MGS4, just like you saw Substance follow MGS2 and Subsistence releasing not long after MGS3. The verbiage (Substance, Subsistence, Existence) is certainly similar enough. But then, there's no "4" anywhere in this new title, so could it be something entirely different? As Jeff and I agreed on a recent Bombcast, Konami ought to drop the "Solid" moniker now that Solid Snake's story is done, get back to the core Metal Gear franchise and start over with a new naming convention. But in the age of persistent marketing and eternal product branding, I fear the Metal Gear Solid name will live on in new products ad nauseam.

What do you think MGS Existence is? What would you want it to be?

UPDATE: Siliconera reports that Konami also registered "Existence" alone in the U.S. on August 11.

But then, some attentive readers in the comments pointed out that Existence is also the name of the bonus DVD included with Subsistence, as confirmed in this quote from Wikipedia.

"Limited Edition" copies of Subsistence also include Existence, the game's cut scenes edited into a three-and-a-half-hour feature film with additional scenes and remastered sound.

The plot thins? Doesn't explain why these trademarks were just now registered, though; I'm still betting on something new. Or at least hoping.
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The_A_Drain

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Edited By The_A_Drain

It better be a game with NO CUT SCENES.

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Joker

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Edited By Joker

Lets all cross our fingers and hope this is real.

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Broman6015

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Edited By Broman6015

Metal Gear Solid Existence was the bonus DVD that came with MGS3 subsistance when you pre-ordered....at least that was what the dvd was called

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thomasmolby

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Edited By thomasmolby

I want it to be an expansion of mgs 4, with VR missions and stuff like that. Just lots of gameplay really...

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mattbodega

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Edited By mattbodega

360 MGS. Come on, 360 MGS!
I still haven't played MGS4 yet, and its killing me.

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Shasam

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Edited By Shasam

I want to second what Broman said. I am sure that was what the DVD was called. So maybe it's a film version of MGS4's cut scenes, or one of the whole series. Who knows....

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ryanwho

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Edited By ryanwho

Surprise, the game series that always gets a special edition with words ending in "ence" gets another one. Even the blind saw this coming, Kojima's such a whore he'll never move past MGS.

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Cleric

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Edited By Cleric

Yeah I'm with Broman on this one.

That, or another repackaging.

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VeryUnclever

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Edited By VeryUnclever
Siliconera (via Kotaku) has just uncovered a recent registration in the Japanese trademark office for a "Metal Gear Solid Subsistence" as registered by one "Konami."

I'm assuming you mean Metal Gear Existence instead.
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albedos_shadow

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Edited By albedos_shadow

I hope to God this is just a Subsistence-type package, and not a pointless sequel. The story is finished, leave it alone!

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quezcatol

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ElectricHaggis

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Edited By ElectricHaggis

I think it will just be a Substance style thing. 

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PLWolf

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Edited By PLWolf

The beauty of the Metal Gear universe is the story is never "finished". There are still characters that could continue the saga. Plus, MGS4 sold really well. Konami is not going to let it just simply go away. This is probably just some extras and a repackaging, but I fully expect to hear about the next Metal Gear in the coming months.

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Mourne

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Edited By Mourne

Gah, enough with Big Boss already. I hate to be that guy, but he's simply not an interesting character. His story makes no practical sense, and his character is completely unrealistic.

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ender

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zeniblade

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Edited By zeniblade

It better be a 360 version of the MGS4, because then I can stop wanting to buy a PS3 just to play it.
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blair

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Edited By blair

My idea from the start has been to restart this franchise.  A new MGS though, with the 'S' standing for Sunny.   Kojima is just crazy enough to do it and the possibilities are endless.  For all we know he'll make it a strategic egg-cooking simulation.  Woooo...Metal Gear Sunny.

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Dreamfall31

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Edited By Dreamfall31

360 version is NEVER gonna happen.  Get over it all of you 360 owners.

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DukeTogo

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Edited By DukeTogo

Existance was used before in the LE version of Subsistance.

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Chytynous

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Edited By Chytynous

360 version!! Yay!

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HitNRun

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Edited By HitNRun

Woo! 360 version!

""But in the age of persistent marketing and eternal product branding, I fear the Metal Gear Solid name will live on in new products ad nauseam.""

You may have a point, Brad, but I'm pretty sure "Metal Gear" is enough of a recognition-inducer to carry the franchise on its own. In fact the "Solid" probably hurts the mainstream market push. The game sounds Japanese enough as it is.

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digital_sin

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Edited By digital_sin

+1 360 MGS! CMNPLZKTNX!

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Edited By ddensel

Heh, just the other day I was just trying to find a word that started with "Sub" to be added to MGS4 as an expansion. But Existence is cool too. If it's an expansion on MGS4, hopefully we'll see lots of VR missions, expanded multiplayer, and even some side missions (play as Raiden???) It would great if there was a 360 version, but I think it would be unlikely.

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sirchode

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Edited By sirchode

I don't know why you guys keep thinking Solid Snake's story is done, didn't you watch all of the credits?

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LordAndrew

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Edited By LordAndrew

I guess Konami didn't like my "Sustenance" suggestion.

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FLStyle

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Edited By FLStyle

I'm still hoping for the much hyped rumour of a downloadable cut-scene of Solid Snake's funeral 6 months to the day of MGS4's release, I hope Ryan Payton did the work on it before the game was released.

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deactivated-5ffc9b0923f9f

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No Metal Gear Solid 4 Subsandwich?

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Hughes

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Edited By Hughes

What I think it is: a Subsistence-style repackaging of MGS4
What I want it to be: a Subsistence-style repackaging of MGS4, for 360 or PC

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Shadow71

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Edited By Shadow71

I certainly hope SOLID is dropped from any future releases as well, which is why I'm hoping this is a rebuffed content package.

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ReyGitano

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Edited By ReyGitano

I want it to be the 360 version. Too broke to buy a PS3

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LordAndrew

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Edited By LordAndrew

I hope it's a Wii version. ;)

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Edited By FCKSNAP

I hope Existence has some VR missions that can be downloaded to the PSP, just like Integral had a mini-game for the PocketStation VMU.

And I hope they reboot MGO. I hate that they treat it like some sort of Korean MMO, and it isn't compatible with PSN.

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ZeroCast

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Edited By ZeroCast

I don't know why are people putting there hopes high for a 360 version but anyway my guess is this could be a movie for all we know or a Prequel, if that makes any sense.

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NinjaHunter

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Edited By NinjaHunter

I hope it's the gameboy version.

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jakob187

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Edited By jakob187

Why would people say that a 360 version would never happen?

Someone must've forgotten about this:  http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=22414

Either way, the only thing I could hope for is that it's a resignation letter from Hideo Kojima saying that he'll stop making movies with gameplay segments and actually start making video games with a few cutscenes here and there instead...

...because sitting through the MGS cutscenes is like sticking needles in my ballsack...and then hot-gluing them in place.  = /

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MetalGearSunny

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Edited By MetalGearSunny

Uh...so...many...rumors....UHHHHH!

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zhinse

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Edited By zhinse

Hmm... It could be Another remake of the first MGS. Can you imagine that, that would awesome since i never played it, but also horrible , like they can't move on kind of deal. 

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gimmysumcowbel

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Edited By gimmysumcowbel

i would love a remake of the first game

i think it was the best in the series and if they remade it with MGS4 graphics and gameplay it would be legit
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Lonewolftom

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Edited By Lonewolftom

Everyone stop being total n00bfags and realise that there will never, NEVER "FUCKING" EVER be a version or port of Metal Gear Soild 4 on the Xbox360. Dont get me wrong, I'm not a sonyfag or fanboy so before you start saying that let me get that clear. There is more of a chance that MGS4 will come out on Wii than it will 360 (and yes that was a sarcastic joke). I have think that Existence is a new project but there is a really high chance that this could be a reamped version of MGS4 either way pepole this means more Metal Gear, lets Celebrate!

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calf_exercises

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Edited By calf_exercises

I knew, it. its just going to be the MGS4 subsistance.

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Blazer74

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Edited By Blazer74

If they made 360 version I would actually consider buying it. Other than that can't say I care.

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lebanese_boy

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Edited By lebanese_boy

Somehow I really doubt that this is really the 360 version, perhaps a reworked MGS4 or something else entirely. I sure do want another game to feature Big Boss though :P

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DECA555

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Edited By DECA555

who cares?

im far to busy with MGS4 and MGO to even begin caring about this.

360 face facts. MGS4 couldn't be on your console because A. Kojima wont allow it B. Your console couldnt handle it (15 GB, shit 3.2 GHz processor, etc) C. They would have to bring in all the voice actors in for extensive re workings D. They would have to change the SIXAXIS that snake used into a fucking XBOX controller (eww)

Its not coming and it never will Xbox, so go play Halo if thats still cool these days.

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SentientMoustache

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I want it to be MGS4 360/PC

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IRONWARRIOR

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Edited By IRONWARRIOR

I guess all of you forgot that MSG 2 came out on Xbox.  So a 360 version of MGS 4 isn't out of the question.

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Gwynbleidd

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Edited By Gwynbleidd

well the "Solid" part has nothing to do with the legendary Solid Snake in MGS title. it basically means three-dimensional Metal Gear, So I really hope I cleared up this whole dropping-the-Solid-thing.

As for the rest I think most of MGS fan can agree they're bleeding for MG 1 and 2 remake (the original NES and MSX tittles). but then again it can also be a new beginning for a totally new story in MGS Universe which I really hope not having anymore Snakes in it, because I think those people now should be at peace. And since the original MGS games are my religion, I really want it stays sacred.

and for the folks who think MGS should not have any cutscenes or much more less than it offers right now, they should think again. the industry has the games with shitty stories and we-don't-need-any-cutscences tittles which offer outstanding gameplay experience like Gears of War or Halo or I don't know you name it kinda games. so stop talkin shit about my religion cause it pisses me off and when I reach that lvl I can become very dangerous and extreme.

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TheWesman

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Edited By TheWesman

Just gonna be the repackage with lots of extra stuff.  4 or no 4 That's what it is.


.......and of course I'll have to buy it at some point.  Which doesn't make me angry, unless there's a preorder bonus in which case I'll HAVE to get it day 1, like that sweet PSP Armor that came with MG Portable Ops.

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Karmann

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Edited By Karmann

Either a cell phone game, or an "improved/added content"  version of MGS4.

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shadowjak

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Edited By shadowjak

I wish it were a 360 version of MGS4, but it's already been announced immpossible by kojima. Maybe us 360 owners will get love and it is an exclsuive new game. But it is probably just an expansion for Ps3. Or maybe god hates me and it isa new series, the president of Konami hints to that when he said that comment about 'MGS5'