Hideo Kojima At NYC's Metal Gear Solid 4 Midnight Launch [Epic Madness]

<p><img src="http://kotaku.com/assets/images/kotaku/2008/06/lineoutside.JPG" class="postimg center" style="display:block;display:block;"/>This was the scene outside the <i>Metal Gear Solid 4</i> midnight launch at the Virgin Megastore in Times Square, New York City. The epic crowds were here to get their brand-new copy of the game signed by Hideo Kojima, who was in attendance with the lovely Yumi Kikuchi, the voice and model for the "Beauty" Raging Raven.</p> <p>The real madness took place inside, of course. Hit the jump for full details.</p> <p><img src="http://kotaku.com/assets/images/kotaku/2008/06/madscene1.JPG" class="postimg center"></p> <p>Kojima's signing took place on the bottom floor of the three-story megastore, and throngs of people had already started lining up long before the event had begun to kick off. When I arrived, the energy was unbelievable, with crowds periodically chanting Kojima's name or "Metal Gear! Metal Gear!"</p> <p><img src="http://kotaku.com/assets/images/kotaku/2008/06/madscene2.JPG" class="postimg center"></p> <p>I chatted up some fans in line, and when one person told me he'd just bought a PS3 specifically for this game, some six or seven other people immediately chimed in that they had, too. Everyone there identified themselves as a diehard franchise fan who couldn't wait to meet the creator.</p> <p>After a bit of waiting, an announcement let the crowd know that Kojima himself was about to appear. People went <i>nuts</i>, and began chanting his name in chorus anew, raising their fists in the air:<br> <img src="http://kotaku.com/assets/images/kotaku/2008/06/chanting.jpg" class="postimg center"></p> <p>When Kojima descended the escalator, a flurry of cameras, flashbulbs and cheers erupted. In this blurry little pic I took, Kojima is waving to everyone as he comes down. Sorry for the poor quality, but I actually think my hands were shaking - the high energy and anticipation were very contagious!<br> <img src="http://kotaku.com/assets/images/kotaku/2008/06/kojimaescalator.JPG" class="postimg center"></p> <p>Here, Kojima has taken his place at the table with Ms. Kikuchi. Forgive my finger in the frame. There was a big rush of people trying to get photos and I had to snap quickly!<br> <img src="http://kotaku.com/assets/images/kotaku/2008/06/thumbsup.jpg" height="375" width="500" class="postimg center"></p> <p>As a game journalist, I of course have to maintain a fair and balanced objectivity when writing about games. But on a personal level, I am a mammoth fan of the <i>Metal Gear Solid</i> series and always have been. So when I got the chance to shake Kojima's hand, I must confess I babbled like a nut, and I think I said, "Thank you I love Snake please bring him back thank you I love Metal Gear thank you!"</p> <p>I've seen a few midnight launches here in New York City, but never have I seen anything game related of this scale and spectacle. There had to have been a few hundred people there, everyone buzzing with excitement. Very cool!</p> <br style="clear:both;"/> <img alt="" style="border:0;height:1px;width:1px;" border="0" src="http://www.pheedo.com/img.phdo?i=a0fa5dc7c0bef60a6957af8135a4d6b5" height="1" width="1"/>
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