New Zone of the Enders planned

Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima promises continuation of mech-combat franchise, but exactly when remains a question.

It would be hard to make the case that Konami and Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima had a disappointing Electronic Entertainment Expo. After multiple prolonged teaser campaigns, Kojima took the stage at Konami's press event to announce Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker for the PSP as well as his involvement in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, a new installment in the classic vampire-hunting action adventure game in development at Spanish studio Mercury Steam. Those announcements were made in addition to Metal Gear Solid Rising, announced for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC earlier that week.

A prolonged absence certainly helps build a cult-like following.

Still, many fans of the noted game designer had hoped that at least one of those teasers pointed to a new installment in Kojima Productions' dormant Zone of the Enders mech-combat franchise. As reported by Andria Sang, that hope may soon become a reality, as Kojima recently wrote on his company's blog that he fully intends to create a Zone of the Enders sequel, though it remains at question as to when that will happen.

"We'd like to make [a Zone of the Enders] sequel at some point," Kojima wrote of the game, which is known in Japan as Anubis: Zone of the Enders. "Also, we feel that if we do it, we'd like to make [Zone of the Enders] succeed this time. I already have a game plan and method for sales in my head. However, we don't know if it will be green lighted. The production lines within Kojima Productions are currently full."

Kojima bemoaned the lackluster sales of Zone of the Enders 2, which received a strong critical reception upon its launch for the PlayStation 2 in 2003. "It's a title that even now, six years later, is extremely well received by the press and users," he said. "However, due to errors in setting the release time frame, while it was a medium hit, it did not achieve the expected numbers."

Kojima went on to note that Zone of the Enders 2 was initially scheduled for a holiday 2002 launch. However, because of the competitive climate, the game was bumped to February 2003 in Japan (March 2003 in the US). That strategy backfired, Kojima wrote, because many of those same competitors either similarly pushed their games back or were simply hit with delays, creating an inordinate number of launches during the first part of 2003.

"Everything was due to an error by me, the producer," he wrote. "At that time, if I hadn't made a mistake with the release date, [Zone of the Enders] might have ended up a major Kojima Productions title to follow MGS, still seeing development as a series."

The veteran game designer closed his post emphatically, writing, "I cannot make a promise about time. However, I can promise a sequel."

95 Comments

  • KillerOttsel

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 7:43 am PT

    This is awesome! A dream come true for me.

  • LeonGameFreak

    Posted Oct 24, 2009 5:20 am PT

    my favourite robot fighting game ever !!!!cool

  • ZIROPC360

    Posted Oct 22, 2009 8:40 pm PT

    Glad to see this happening. Definitely my favorite Japanese Mech Game.

  • aura_enchanted

    Posted Oct 22, 2009 8:07 am PT

    zone of enders.. man this takes me back

  • solidine

    Posted Oct 22, 2009 12:57 am PT

    I liked those games, but I don't think they'd ever be as big as MGS.
    They weren't good enough, and they carried nothing truly unique. I don't see how Kojima can blame a bad launch window.

    It'd still be nice to see a sequel, though after having sold the first two, I would probably jusr rent it.

  • jaredcrazy3232

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 9:24 pm PT

    what a bad video review, i feel like im watching a bad presentation for school

  • Sheltro

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 4:06 pm PT

    finally I have been waiting for 6 years and I hope they make it for next year

  • Cbordi

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 11:48 am PT

    i hope they keep it an exclusive for the PS3... that way they'll have more time in developing just for one system (PS3), so the chances for a better game increases a lot ^-^

  • player_leo

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 6:47 am PT

    Cool . ! . Multiplate ?

  • wahyudil

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 5:50 am PT

    PC, zone of enders on PC ... yipiii

  • X-RS

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 4:22 am PT

    christ, konami could make killer by just releasing an upgradeed version on 360 or somethin. though i would much prefer a sequel (but seriously this is a frickin cash in!!!!). time to put zegapain to shame!!!!

  • coldsauce09

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 3:53 am PT

    i already expected this since otacon uses this as his wallpaper in his computer during mgs4 briefing time.. i kinda felt kojima is been planning this.

  • Everiez

    Posted Oct 21, 2009 12:32 am PT

    Damn, fans dream come true. YESH! We love ya Kojima Team

  • joeisnub

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 11:40 pm PT

    Noice

  • DevilD2005

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 9:48 pm PT

    ABOUT F'N TIME!!!

  • NortePadrote

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 9:05 pm PT

    Hell yea another ZOTE. Y r jap developers always trying to come up with new type of video games and all we get from AMERICAN developers r fps.

  • Vydiot

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 8:43 pm PT

    A shoutout to Kojima: Please make the cockpits in the chest or head and not the crotch. The mech designs are ridiculously awesome except for crotch-pit.

  • Flame_Blade88

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 8:37 pm PT

    I feel like I'm dreaming...this is too good to be true! It's actually happening!

  • akiwak

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 8:03 pm PT

    I just jissed in my pants!

  • ZeraphLordS

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 7:51 pm PT

    YEAH! I am content.

  • rasterror

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 6:54 pm PT

    About damn time Konami.

  • shakezilla460

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 6:41 pm PT

    I absolutely love this game series...I think it is the best sic fi mech series out there simply because your not bogged down by customization options ( not that those are bad Armored Core does it very well ) but because the mechs themselves are just plain bad ass

  • wolf0

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 6:37 pm PT

    ZOE2 was alot of fun very cool

  • kiramasaki

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 6:20 pm PT

    anything by kojima is fine by me, but ZoE is a def. want

  • Jehuty08

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 5:52 pm PT

    they can charge any amount of money they want for zoe 3, I will hapilly pay it

  • NuKkU

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 5:15 pm PT

    dude ZoE is a amazing series and i cannot wait for the next one!!

  • kreisler

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 5:15 pm PT

    ... and I can promise you Kojima, I will buy ZOE 3 anytime of the year you release it. ZOE 2 still sit up there in my top 10 and never got dethroned for the past 6 years. It is still a source of inspiration for my creative work.

  • loxley

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 5:02 pm PT

    GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • dvilified

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 4:38 pm PT

    Finally!

  • ashyankles

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 4:34 pm PT

    I just peed a little bit!!!!!

  • Dante200X

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 4:32 pm PT

    I heard ZOE3 was planned already....like a year ago. I didn't quite know the circumstances on why ZOE2 didn't sell well though. Nice to know that. I loved that game though. It wasn't perfect, but it was definitely decent and it deserves a real chance next time.

  • SDBusDriver1979

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 4:28 pm PT

    I won't believe Kojima is working on this until I see it on store shelves. He always says this and then Konami snaps the whip and tells him to get back to more Metal Gear games.

  • Night_Frost

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 4:19 pm PT

    ZOE2 is still my favorite PS2 game and I still play it, this is good news and I hope the announcement comes soon, though IMO, the Gundam series could a learn a thing or two from ZOE, epecially nailing down the fast paced action (we don't need another Dynasty Gundam, right?)

  • Mickleohb

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 4:05 pm PT

    I'm intrigued by the ZOE series even though I haven't played either of them. I think I'll hold off playing them until ZOE3 is announced in case I love it (I hate not knowing if/when a sequel will come out if I like a series!)

  • chrono_wind

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:58 pm PT

    EEEEEEEE!!!!! Think I'm gonna scream like a little school girl..I own almost every current gen system...But do not own a 360, but if this becomes a 360 exclusive, I'll buy one right away. Not biased on any system, just saying this IS the game I've been waiting for such a long time.

    I can see Leo becoming Jehuty's pilot again.

  • Fed__X

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:55 pm PT

    I see this one being almost PS3 exclusive since the rest of the series back on the PS2 was never ported to x-box unlike MGS2. But with all honesty this would be one exclusive or not everyone should experience ZOE2 is a great game and still one of my favorites.

  • Wings_008

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:44 pm PT

    is the new Castlevania a PS3 exclusive? or it is going to be a multiplatform

  • TruthOpinionSpk

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:40 pm PT

    Plasma Bolt Action!

  • protokyoto

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:35 pm PT

    ZOE 2 has been one of my favourite games for years. Unfortunately Kojima made this exact came comment about the possibility of ZOE 3 1-2 years ago so i'm still not getting my hopes up for a release within the next decade.....altho i'd sure as heck buy it Day 1 if it did.

  • danteMdie

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:33 pm PT

    It was about time!! I was just thinking about zoe today and this is the news i get when entering gamespot! Man, the 2nd runner was really a blast - just imagining a sequel on the ps3 is awsome.

  • Mattyrock

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:16 pm PT

    Yes! About time! I need to go back and play the last two games

  • King-Tigre

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:14 pm PT

    Honestly, I hope it is ps3 exclusive, so it fully uses the blu-ray and not be shortened on a dual layer.

  • PlasmaBeam44

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 3:03 pm PT

    Hell...its about time.

  • GameGenie83

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:52 pm PT

    Wow it's about freaking time. I used to love that series. I have always said that Zone of Enders 2 was one of the best games ever, and top 5 for the PS2. I've been waiting on a part 3 forever it seems. Just the sound of that reminds me of the good old days when games were really fun and creative. I hope it's PS3 exclusive, but I doubt it. That just made my day, I'm really excited now.

  • goldenMC

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:49 pm PT

    THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! finally. this game was one of the major reasons i kept my ps2

  • parrot_of_adun

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:47 pm PT

    Cool, but I'd rather see a new Snatcher game (ofcourse I'd love to see both though).

  • bertm1975

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:47 pm PT

    About time. I'm not a mech fan or even into stuff like Robotech, but I love Zone of the Enders. It was fast, fun, exciting, and one of the most stunning games for the PS2. Hopefully, they'll do a multi-system launch to ensure a big seller, and not make it exclusive to ONE system. ZOE has a great following, but won't do the numbers of Halo or Metal Gear on only one system.

  • Ranma_X_basic

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:31 pm PT

    YAY now i have a reason to bo back and play both games again as well as watch the anime series.

    I'll wait as long as possible for ZOE2. and hope mr.kojima will show off a teaser next year at E3 or PAX or even the tokyo game show.

  • im-a-roustabout

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:22 pm PT

    Dead Kojima,

    Please understand that there have been many fans waiting for this for a long, long time. Please make this a reality and sooner rather than later but take your time to make it great That is all. (oh yea and Dear David Jaffe, bring back Twisted Metal)

  • GDCalibur

    Posted Oct 20, 2009 2:20 pm PT

    Should be interesting hopefully some good comes of this.

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