On the latest episode of the Kojima Productions Report podcast, Associate Producer Ryan Payton announced some news that'll warm the hearts of every eager Metal Gear fan the world over: Metal Gear Solid 4 is almost done, and won't slip past the second quarter.

"We are on the eve of entering the bug-checking phase, which means that we're pretty far along," Payton said. Bugs not withstanding (and with a few pieces, such as the opening cinematic, still missing), the game can already be played "from start to finish." While Payton said it's standard practice at Kojima Productions to continue to add and refine features even as close to weeks from finalizing the code, they are now mostly in the bug-squashing phase.

Payton, who was joined on this episode by recently departed 1UP alumnae Mark MacDonald, also assured that MGS4 -- which last year slipped past it's end of 2007 release date into 08 -- would not be slipping again. "We're committed to this quarter-two release date, this release time-frame," Payton said. "Mr. Kojima, of all people, is committed to it, because he really hates to disappoint people. And I know that he is embarrassed by what happened with the 2007 slip into 2008."

That's not to say that a specific release date is set, though, despite those listed by retailers and banding about in Internet rumors. "We're still going back and forth with marketing about when we're going to do the release -- it's going to be a simultaneous worldwide release," Payton said. "It's not going to be the same day, but more like what Halo's done, where it's the same week. We're still trying to strategize it, and make sure it works for all territories. Any date you're seeing is just speculation."

Payton also expressed his hopes that MGS4's second-quarter release will help break the stranglehold the fall quarter has on video game releases. "This could be a big opportunity, you know, second quarter, to prove to retailers and other publishers that you can have a huge hit in those months, that people are willing to play games just as they're willing to go to movies."

And lastly, while it has nothing to do with release time-frames, there was one last bit of great MGS4 news: you'll be able to pause cut-scenes. Rejoice, young, stalwart gamer, for no more will you have to sit uncomfortably through a lengthy, unexpected cut-scene while nature calls.

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Very good news for MGS4 fans.

Let the ball-grabbing commence.

No doubt this game should fly off of store shelves when it's released. I know a number of people on the site have bee itching to try it out.

Oh god, the reason I'm buying a PS3 is nearly finished and my PS3 doesn't exist yet... LAME! I must get on that.

same reason that im getting a ps3 aswell, glad to here this news

More release date news has leaked out the Destination PlayStation retailer conference. Metal Gear Solid 4, that other will-it-won't-it game, has finally had a release date nailed down. When the game comes out on its June 12th release date we wonder exactly how many people will be taking the day off from work to play it - we certainly will be!

We're hoping this date is correct (we're looking to confirm it with Konami). Kojima promised a simultaneous worldwide release for the game. Could this be the date everyone can pin on their calendars?

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If that is true, awesome. Can't wait.

Can't wait until it loses its exclusivity.

Then I shall get it eventually too!

I've heard online beta for it will start in April.

Konami has issued a press release today which confirms the rumored report of Metal Gear Solid 4's June 12th release date. The latest issue of Japanese magazine Dengeki PlayStation also reports that June 12th will be the Japanese release date for the game. Hideo Kojima made a statement last year at Leipzig during which he said that he firmly intended on making Metal Gear Solid 4 a simultaneous worldwide release and that it is regrettable that Europe has to so often wait longer to receive games. Let's hope his plan comes to fruition and we can all, throughout the world, enjoy the game when June 12th rolls around.

The press release also confirms that Metal Gear Online will come bundled with MGS4 in the form of a "Starter Pack", but it's still unclear how this "Starter Pack" will differ from the full release. Those that pre-order the game will receive a bonus DVD entitled "Metal Gear Saga 2.0" which will contain a prologue recapping the entire series so far and a 20th Anniversary retrospective. Other features on the DVD include character profiles for all the main characters and trailers for the game. It's unclear whether any of this will be included with the European version, but we'll try and find out soon.

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If a world-wide launch can be done on a game like this, why can't other companies do the same thing???

Since I haven't played a Metal Gear game since the original (I've played about 5 minutes of another one) I really want to get the special CD in the preorder with the recap of the storyline. I hope they have it here as well.

I loved it on the PlayStation, and bought #2 for the PS2 but didn't really get into it, so yeah, a recap would be a nice feature.

MGS1 was pure awesome, especially the GCN remake. MGS2 isn't bad, you have to be able to ignore the annoying qualities of Raiden to get through it.. if you can do that its still only okay. MGS3 is pure awesome as well, its my personal favourite of the franchise... so much in there.

I hear Portable Ops is also good for PSP.

It's good to know that the franchise it high quality straight through, and hopefully MGS4 will continue in the tradition.

Its Kojima. I have massive amounts of faith in his ability.

yah for release date confirmation! June can't get here soon enough. Good thing I'll have Brawl to tide me over...

Anyone who hasn't played a MGS game can always get the Metal Gear Solid Essientials Collection for $29.99

Personally I wouldn't pass that deal up for a second, especially if you're planning on playing MGS4 but haven't had the chance to play MGS1,2&3 (in which case, congratulations! You're just like me!)