Zone of the Enders sequel reaction 'greater than expected' - Kojima

Metal Gear creator says recent post expressing interest in mech-based combat game revival generated ample internal, external response.

About two weeks ago, Metal Gear franchise creator Hideo Kojima took to his company's blog seemingly to test the waters for a new installment in the mech-heavy Zone of the Enders franchise. Said the noted game designer, "We'd like to make [a Zone of the Enders] sequel at some point…I already have a game plan and method for sales in my head. However, we don't know if it will be green lighted."

Zone of the Enders: The 3rd Runner anyone?

As it would turn out, those waters are apparently just fine. As reported by Japan-focused gaming news site Andria Sang, Kojima has followed up his mid-October post by expressing surprise at the uniformly positive response that his teaser received.

"The reaction [to the post] was greater than I'd expected," Kojima wrote on his company's blog. "The comments topped the 100 mark, and the access count reached levels of the Tokyo Game Show time. It was picked up in a variety of places, including the net and press, and spread throughout the world." Kojima said that his post also excited a number of staff who worked on the original Zone of the Enders, with many expressing interest in working on a new installment in the series.

The original Zone of the Enders received a fairly positive critical reception for the now-nine-year-old PlayStation 2 in March 2001. Following an equally received Game Boy Advance installment in March 2002, Kojima Productions released the well-regarded Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner in March 2003. However, as noted by Kojima earlier this month, "due to errors in setting the release time frame, while it was a medium hit, it did not achieve the expected numbers."

116 Comments

  • Tricky

    Posted Nov 8, 2009 2:58 am PT

    Pants. I was hoping for a Snatcher remake or sequel...

  • drangel_jam

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 12:51 pm PT

    I usually don't like mech games, so I couldn't care less. But I might always play the demo.

  • sweeten16

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 12:49 pm PT

    I play the first ones demo and really liked it, so maybe the 3rd would tempt me.

  • Dualmask

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 10:13 am PT

    I would love to play another ZOE game. I usually rent games, but if a new ZOE came out, I'd most likely buy it no questions asked.

  • fps_d0minat0r

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 8:45 am PT

    yh but when are the MGS4 trophies coming out?

  • thingta42

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 7:57 am PT

    Doloris, i was a great Anime i hope they make a New game

  • thedevildweller

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 7:27 am PT

    Now that's what i want. Another Zone of the Enders. Kojima, (even thought i love the Metal Gear Solid series) please put MGS on hold and make Zone of the Ender 3 soon... or at least after Peace Walker.

  • warrior95122

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 7:09 am PT

    I Would LOVE Another ZOE Game. I Still Play The 2nd Runner Just To Have A Big Robot Smashing Smaller Robots =]. Who Doesn't Like That?

  • wEary4

    Posted Nov 2, 2009 12:22 am PT

    I think the ZOE universe has so much untapped potential. Considering MGS is an alternate modern day/slightly future universe, and Castlevania is Sword & Sorcery/Horror; Konami can really explore a Space/Mech universe in all that its game mechanics and universe can offer.

  • Barighm

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 9:36 pm PT

    This is all well and good but 100 comments really isn't all that much. Not really that important...just saying, but Konami may see it the same way. Let's hope not.

  • Isamu_36

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 9:10 pm PT

    As long as they release it for BOTH PS3 and XBOX 360... Even though it would be interesting to have Z.O.E. entirely created for the Wii I think we'll never see it; I have the feeling that Konami isn't interested the system.

  • Gooshnads

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 9:07 pm PT

    lets hope it keeps the whole feel... but its kojima.... he never ceases to please.

  • danteMdie

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 4:04 pm PT

    Well, if kojima goes for a game like the 2nd runner it's going to be a massive title. However, a better multiplayer and an online component would be awesome to all fans. I think the greatest issue will rely on the campaign duration - a 12 hour campaign (cutscenes included) would be an outstanding improvement considering that Zoe 2 can be beaten in 6 hours (when not skipping cutscenes). Either way, just having a confirmation for this game is great!

  • indongga

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 12:56 pm PT

    I want the graphics to be like the second one, with all those cartoony smoke and such but more like hi def and more next gen and such. i dunno if i wanna see like realistic looking stuff. maybe i do haha jk nvm i'd buy it anyways

  • BigBacon87

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 9:31 am PT

    Id personally prefer to see this made for a handheld, the guy's gonna put out a good product no matter what but I can think of other things Id like to see on my PS3. Whatever you do Kojima, if your planning lengthy cut-scenes can you do me a favour and play Uncharted 2 before you go at it.

  • coldsauce09

    Posted Nov 1, 2009 1:34 am PT

    as long its kojima you can expect nothing else to be epic.

  • BS_1

    Posted Oct 31, 2009 10:34 pm PT

    I can't wait!

  • Sendmn23

    Posted Oct 31, 2009 9:15 pm PT

    yes! I can;t wait!

  • Exactlamento

    Posted Oct 31, 2009 6:10 pm PT

    never played...but will try to hunt it down
    Silly Kojima! Of course it would get green lighted
    Anything he does is golden...
    In fact he is the only person in the industry that i fully trust in deliver high quality 100% of the time

  • Saije

    Posted Oct 31, 2009 1:00 pm PT

    Loved the Zone of the Enders Games... I just hope if they make a sequel its a bit longer, I was a little disappointed by the length of the first two games... They were still great though, that's probably why I wanted them to last longer, I was enjoyin the hell out of'em.

  • ShadowOfKratos

    Posted Oct 31, 2009 5:54 am PT

    Finally!
    I've been asking for the sequel ever since 2nd Runner. I hope the sequel gets an open world like in the 1st ZoE, only with different planets instead of districts.
    And I hope you can lock on and Zero Shift much longer distances... That would be niiice.

    Hmmm.. I wonder why Bandai never adopted the play ****of ZoE for "DB Raging Blast"

  • Orasion_Seiz

    Posted Oct 31, 2009 5:05 am PT

    nice its about time. really looking forward to the 3rd runner

  • wolf0

    Posted Oct 31, 2009 3:24 am PT

    i want now part two was so good i even buy a PS3 just to play that is if it comes out on just ps3

  • krasimir7

    Posted Oct 31, 2009 2:08 am PT

    Great!

  • FinalDuo1886

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 10:54 pm PT

    It's about time. As long as the idea is still on the table, is what matters to me.

  • madd_hatter

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 9:55 pm PT

    ZOE was amazing! this is gonna be COOL!!!

  • fkbwii

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 8:05 pm PT

    Z.O.E!!!!!!

  • oldschoolKEN

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 7:40 pm PT

    Man Kojima quit teasing us. Im playing the GBA version, The Fist of Mars currently. Its like a grid based turn-based strategy, think R-Type command or Fire Emblem. Story is great I should say.

  • tyco_ex

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 7:37 pm PT

    I would love another zone of the enders game. I loved the ps2 games and the GBA Strategy game was great as well.

  • HerbalVideogame

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 6:51 pm PT

    ZoE had sweet gameplay, the second's was even better. Would look awesome on the PS3 for sure.

  • The_Game_Jr

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 6:17 pm PT

    Kojima is simply lucky for having a God-given (or rather Nirvana-given if he's a Buddhist) talent in making great stories. I look up to him as a great director.

  • Goriza

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 3:51 pm PT

    I played this year Zone of the Enders 2 and was a great experience, but they could improve the multiplayer game because it sucks.

  • Frame_Dragger

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 3:47 pm PT

    Why would he be surprised?! I've been waiting for this since the damned PS2?! I LOVED THOSE GAMES!

  • keitaro0516

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 3:04 pm PT

    plz kojima i been waiting for a long time ;D

  • Ronin893

    Posted Oct 30, 2009 10:54 am PT

    I will definitely be interested in a new ZOE. Bring it Kojima.

  • izmickey

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 8:58 pm PT

    I love ZOE. They need to make this game ASAP.

  • joeisnub

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 6:23 pm PT

    Wow... There really IS a god.... Can't wait!

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 4:00 pm PT

    I never actually heard of ZotE before I heard the tunes in MGS4. I am intrigued now though!

  • LOGGER13

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 2:44 pm PT

    The current consoles definitely need more mech games on their platforms. ZOE2 was great on the PS2, so I'm excited for even the prospect of a ZOE3.

  • LosDaddie

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 12:30 pm PT

    Interesting. I'd give the game a rent.

  • hollow56771

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 12:01 pm PT

    OMG!!!!!!!!!! ZOE IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • JACKAL1883

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 11:28 am PT

    ZOE anything is awesome

  • ClassicPlayer

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 10:45 am PT

    I want Zone of The Enders 3 to get the green light! Wasn't there an anime for it as well in 2005? Come on Kojima, you can do it!

  • Juansolous

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 10:03 am PT

    Well I know I for one would love to see a new ZOE game? I've been waiting for it,sure it would look great on the PS3.

  • Flame_Blade88

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 9:00 am PT

    Zone of the Enders is an excellent series, shame on Kojima for not expecting a lot of positive reaction for a new ZOE game

  • simplypowerfull

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 9:00 am PT

    ZOE 2 was top 5 PS2 game and technically was one of the bests of entire PS2/X-box/GC generation. GameSpot's 8.5 was ridiculous. Come on Kojima, bring ZOE 3 to PS3 now!
    =P

  • joynul

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 8:12 am PT

    yeh got AC for answer last week and was disappointed hopefully if he does one it will be a lot better.

  • XeonForce

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 7:51 am PT

    This is def. one genre that hasn't had justice on next gen consoles. Leave it to Kojima and you know it will wreak awesomeness.

  • DJCartmell

    Posted Oct 29, 2009 7:09 am PT

    Makes a change from MGS!

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