Konami cancels all launch events for Metal Gear Solid 4 in Japan
- June 11th, 2008
- 2 Comments
Amid rising concerns about the safety of attendees, Konami Japan called off all three launch events [JP] planned for their highly anticipated new game Metal Gear Solid 4. The announcement was published on the company web site today. A spokesperson told Japanese newspapers Konami cannot fully guarantee safety for the large number of participants expected.
Konami Japan’s decision is obviously following a stabbing spree by a young Japanese otaku who killed 7 people in Tokyo’s so-called “”Electric Town” Akihabara past Sunday. One of the launch parties was supposed to take place in that very district.
In Japan, Metal Gear Solid 4 received a “D”-rating, which is comparable to the ESRB “M”-mark in the USA.
The game will go on sale in this country tomorrow. Launch events for the game in the USA and Europe are not affected by Konami Japan’s decision.
Dudeman (Who am I?)
5 months ago
Bad reporting.
How was this guy and otaku?
He lived in Japan and watched Anime..?? That would make nearly every person in Japan an otaku.
Serkan Toto (Who am I?)
5 months ago
The killer is 25 and - according to Japanese media reports - a REAL otaku. He is into Anime mostly and spent a lot of time in Akihabara. That’s why he rented a truck and actually drove to Tokyo from a few hours south to kill people there.
He used a mobile Internet bulletin to announce his killing spree, saying he has bought knives and wanted to stab people. Unfortunately, no one reacted and he could carry out his plan.
You are right, I should have maybe blogged this in a separate posting.