Take this first one, for example. You’ll see (or not see) how difficult it can be to find Snake as an average grunt on the battlefield. If you’re expecting to plainly see a cleverly-camouflaged Snake hiding in one corner during multiplayer, then get ready for a rude awakening. Snake would be presented as a translucent specter that you can barely see.

I’m still on the fence on how this would work first-hand because frankly, I would rather see (or not see) camouflage so good that we actually wouldn’t notice Snake hiding instead of just making the character almost invisible because that’s what the camo indicator says.

This video shows us how shooting other people in the face works in MGO. It’s good to see that unlike other multiplayer games, MGO allows players to engage in close-quarters combat (or CQC) instead of shooting each other with high-powered rifles at pointblank range, which rather looks ridiculous.

The buzz around Metal Gear Solid 4 and MGO may have been dulled somewhat by the release of a certain Grand Theft Auto IV, but rest assured that once the GTA hype is over, we’d all be itching for Snake by June.

Post from: EveryJoe

New MGO videos show how gameplay is like

Yes, you read right. I’ve tried to get in the Metal Gear Online beta, but no dice. I signed up at the game’s beta version webpage several times (using different personas) and received emails saying I didn’t qualify for the MGO beta’s “download promotion.”

The emails never did say why I didn’t qualify. I do understand that there are a limited number of Unique Product Voucher Codes, but I really would appreciate it if there was an explanation that came with the emails.

If Konami ran out of codes to give away, I would appreciate the truth even if I wasn’t able to get any. If Konami just didn’t want me in because my geographical location would strain their servers too much, I would still appreciate it if they’ve told me. All this cloak and dagger isn’t making me feel better even if there seems to be a good explanation for it.

Did you get in the beta?

Image of Metal Gear Online is courtesy of Konami.

Post from: EveryJoe

Snubbed by Konami, left out in MGO beta

The Korean schedule for the second stage of Huxley closed beta testing has just been announced. It will take place from Dec. 13 to 17. Registration for new local testers will begin this month, though gamers who took part in the first closed beta test will be able to participate as well.

For the clueless, Huxley is that gorgeous MMOFPS for the Xbox 360 and PC being developed by Korea-based Webzen. Is it any good? Sadly, I have no idea since I wasn’t part of the closed beta test.

According to the press release, the second close beta test will evaluate Huxley’s FPS elements, as well as the complementary system stability elements.

“We’re highlighting the FPS elements in the first and second closed beta tests, and will roll out the much-anticipated MMO elements in later stages of testing,” said Nam-Ju Kim, Webzen CEO. “I’m confident that this blend of MMO and twitch-action FPS design will have a positive effect on the online gaming market.”

More information about Huxley’s Korean closed beta testing will be available shortly at www.huxley.co.kr. I tried browsing the site myself, but other than the minimum requirements, I was prevented from getting any other significant info because I don’t read Korean. Even Babelfish won’t work because much of the site is in Flash.

The system requirements are pretty much current, but you’ll be surprised by the size of the client.

Minimum System Requirements
CPU – Pentium 4 2.4GHz
RAM – 1GB
Graphics – GeForce 6600
Operating System – Windows XP
Hard Drive Space – 6GB
Direct X – DirectX 9.0c

Recommended System Requirements
CPU – Pentium 4 3.0GHz
RAM – 2GB
Graphics – GeForce 7600
Operating System – Windows XP
Hard Drive Space – 6GB
Direct X – DirectX 9.0c

You can see the requirements in the English site anyway.

Post from: EveryJoe

Huxley’s second close beta test is coming this December