Metal Gear Online World Championship 2008 was announced at a recent MGS4 World Tour event in Japan, and today Japan official website for Metal Gear Online is now updated with the latest info on Japan preliminary round for Metal Gear Online World Championship 2008. Expect similar announcement to be revealed in other territories.

Championship Overview (for Japan)

Metal Gear Online World Championship 2008 is a world-wide scale championship to determine the world’s number one player and number one clan. Registration (for Japan region) will start on July 17th 2008.

• Championship will be divided to two sections - Individual Competition and Clan War.
  * every clan must have at least 6 people to participate in this championship
• Preliminary round will be held online.
  * finalist for preliminary round is scheduled to compete at another event venue
• Individual player and clan that wins the competition will represent Japan for the world championship.

More details will be announced later on July 17th: http://www.konami.jp/mgo/jp/hd/event/index.html#c02

UPDATE: From Japanese official website for Metal Gear Online, it is confirmed that GENE expansion will be released on  July 17th, 2008.

Metal Gear Online Community official website is now updated with the latest info on ‘GENE’ expansion pack that includes new maps, characters, and game mode. Details as following:

• The much awaited “Metal Gear Online Expansion” is now available. DO NOT miss this opportunity to become a part of the evolution that is MGO. Throw yourself onto new and unconquered Maps!! Make use of a whole new set of gimmicks and Characters. Why not try out the awesome new game mode “Survival”.
• At the same time, we will be opening the “Reward Shop” for business. Get you character some new gear by earning Reward Points in the game.
• But that’s not all. The “Metal Gear Online Expansion Plus” comes with all of the above plus 1 MGO Extra Character Slot. If you were looking to create another Character, then this is a great opportunity.

3 New Maps

• Coppertown Conflict / City of Sorrow
  Wide streets, underground passages, and rooftop areas. Suitable for close- to medium-range combat.
  
• Tomb of Tubes / Underground Waterway
  An intricate labyrinth of underground passages. Suitable for close- to medium-range combat.
  
• Virtuous Vista / South America Power Station
  An outdoor map with natural terrain. Suitable for medium- to long-range combat.
  

2 New Characters

• Meryl Silverburgh
  
  Meryl is a fearsome leader. The positions of enemies she shoots and enemies targeting her are visually shared with other team members through the SOP system. Meryl will raise the spirits of teammates nearby to help them recover Psyche. She can also help unconscious teammates get up faster. Meryl excels with the Handgun Skill, which reduces recoil when firing handguns and decreases reload time.
• Johnny (AKIBA)
  
  Johnny is an expert at disarming traps. All traps in the stage will be displayed on his screen. Press the ‘Triangle’ button to disarm surrounding traps and turn them into items.

‘Survival’ mode and the Reward Shop

• Reward Points you earn by playing ‘Survival’ mode can be spent at the all new Reward Shop where you will be able to exchange them for all sorts of gear. They can be equipped onto your characters in other game modes too! Set yourself apart from the crowd.
  
  The ‘Metal Gear Online Expansion Plus’ comes with an MGO Extra Character Slot. Have you ever wanted to create a female Character but felt reluctant as you would have to delete your current one? Then this is the Expansion Pack just for you.

More details here: http://www.konami.jp/mgo/us/hd/products/index.html#c04

(for US PSN)

• Siren: Blood Curse demo
• Monster Madness: Grave Danger demo
• Wall*E demo
• Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian demo
• Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 Gift Pack (free)
• Rock Band DLC
  • “Snow (Hey Oh!)” - Red Hot Chilli Peppers
  • “Tell Me Baby” - Red Hot Chilli Peppers
  • “Closer To The Heart” - Rush
  • “Working Man” (Vault Edition) - Rush
• SOCOM: Confrontation “Assault” trailer
• Elefunk trailer
• Siren: Blood Curse story trailer
• Super Stardust HD Add-on trailer
• AST Dew Tour - PlayStation Pro Moments
• AST Dew Tour - Behind the Scenes with Spinner
• AST Dew Tour - Bilko’s Road To Finals
• AST Dew Tour - Burnquist Talks
• Civilization Revolution launch trailer
• Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway “Destructable Cover” video
• Dead Space Developer Diary #1 “Greenlight”
• Quarantine movie trailer

(for UK PSN)

• Echochrome full game for PS3 (£6.99)
• Echochrome full game for PSP (£4.99)
• Top Spin 3 demo (free)
• High Velocity Bowling “Amber Yarhees” character pack (£0.69)
• Echochrome trailer
• Movement episode 1 part 2 (8 videos)
• Kung Fu Panda trailer

(for JP PSN)

• Elefunk PS3 game (800Yen)
• PixelJunk Monster Additional Item - Soundtrack

(for US PSN)

• Qore Episode 2 ($2.99 - includes Naruto demo)
• Guitar Hero III “Top Gun Anthem” song add-on (free)
• Rock Band Crüefest Pack ($3):
  • “Down At The Whisky” - Mötley Crüe ($1)
  • “Time is Running Out” - Papa Roach ($1)
  • “Who’s Going Home With You Tonight” - Trapt ($1)
  • “Promised Land” - Vesuvius (Free)
• Killzone 2 trailer
• Valkyria Chronicles video
• Battlefield: Bad Company “Bad World” trailer
• Battlefield: Bad Company “Snake Eyes” trailer
• Battlefield: Bad Company “Rainbow Sprinkles” trailer
• Dead Space Animated Comic 2
• Dead Space Animated Comic 3
• Tiger Woods 09 Course video
• Vampire Rain Altered Species 1 and 2
• Lakeview Terrace movie trailer
• John Mayer Live in LA Blu-ray trailer
• Vantage Point movie trailer
• Persepolis movie trailer
• Woodward theme
• Civilization Revolution theme
• Top Spin 3 wallpaper

(for UK PSN)

• Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 Full Game (£6.99)
• Space Invaders Extreme demo for PSP (free)
• Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 “Gift Pack” map pack (free)
• Buzz! Quiz TV “UK Culture” quiz pack (£3.49)
• Buzz! Quiz TV “Australian Culture” quiz pack (£3.49)
• Buzz! Quiz TV “Sci Fi” quiz pack (£3.49)
• Buzz! Quiz TV “Rock Legends” quiz pack (£3.49)
• Guitar Hero III “July 4th Holiday single” (free)
• 8 Movement “Paris” videos
• Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway Ubidays trailer
• Haze launch trailer
• Metal Gear Solid 4 theme
• Elefunk theme
• Echochrome theme
• Top Spin 3 wallpaper
• Elefunk “Forest” wallpaper
• Elefunk “Circus” wallpaper

(for JP PSN)

• Rainbow Six Vegas 2 Gift Pack (free)
• Initial D EXTREME STAGE - Comic Project D Additional Item
• Para Para DL (Download)  (2500Yen)
• Soul Caliber IV promotion video (free)

The latest System Software Update is now ready for download for the PLAYSTATION 3. Here are the details of what this firmware accomplishes:

• Displaying the XMB™ screen during gameplay
  You can now access the XMB™ screen while playing PLAYSTATION®3 format software.
• Searching the Internet from the XMB™ screen
  You can now perform an Internet search directly from the XMB™ screen.

Other new or revised features in version 2.40 after the jump:

Overall

• You can now see the system clock on the XMB™ screen. The date and time that were set under [Settings] > [Date and Time] are displayed.
• When using a keyboard, you can now clear the entire text entry field at once.
• The icon is now displayed when you press the PS button for an operation that cannot be performed.

Users

• You can now turn off the PS3™ system from the XMB™ screen using the [Turn Off System] option.

Settings

• You can now set the PS3™ system to turn off automatically after updating the system software.
• [Reassign Controllers] and [Controller Vibration Function] have been added as options under [Accessory Settings].

Photo

• You can now print images from a playlist.
• You can now sort items that are grouped in a folder by month or year using the
  [Film Date ] or [Film Date ] options.

Music

• You can now use a mini-size control panel while playing music.
• You can now play music content encoded in MP3 Surround format.*
  * MP3 Surround can only be used when playing music content in Linear PCM format.

Video

• You can now use the [Frame Noise Reduction] and [Block Noise Reduction] settings for video content that is saved on the hard disk or storage media.
• You can now play upscaled video content that is saved on the hard disk or storage media. When the video content is played, it is upscaled automatically to match the screen size.
• Upscaling of Blu-ray Disc (BDAV) video content is now supported.
• For DTS playback on DVD-Video and Blu-ray Disc media, DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 for DVD-Video and DTS-ES Matrix for Blu-ray Discs are now supported.*
  * “DTS” is a trademark of DTS Inc.

Game

• The procedure for quitting PLAYSTATION®3 format software has been changed.
• You can now collect trophies in games that support the trophy feature.

Network

• [Search] has been added as an option in the browse mode menu of the Internet browser.

Friends

• The number of Friends who can be added to a Friends list has been increased from 50 to 100.
• The [Information] screen has been redesigned and renamed as [Profile].

During MGS4 signing event held in Tokyo recently, Konami has confirmed that Metal Gear Online component of MGS4 will soon be available separately in Japan for 1800 Yen (about $17 USD). No word on pricing and dates for the standalone version of Metal Gear Online in other territories.

And, on the same day, Yoshikazu Matsuhana, producer of Metal Gear Online, revealed the stand-alone package box with cover-art as shown below:

Check out more of Metal Gear Online here at the official website.

System software update 2.40 lets you access the PS3 Home Menu (XMB) while playing games as well as letting you show off your Trophies.

(Firmware v2.40 will become available for download on July 2nd.)

Sony Computer Entertainment has announced new online gaming functionality for PLAYSTATION 3 with system software update 2.40, an automatic update that delivers several of the features most requested by PS3 fans. Combined with PLAYSTATION Network’s unique service of free* online gaming, the enhancement makes PS3 an even more attractive platform of choice for the online gamer.

Firstly, system software 2.40 allows PS3 Home Menu (XMB) access in-game. This means that you can access the PS3 Home Menu (XMB) at any time while playing most games, simply by tapping the PlayStation button on your controller. With 2.40, you can check if any of your friends are online (thanks to their own user profile), read and send messages, change some settings for games, all without having to quit the game you are playing. While you can’t pause an online multiplayer game involving other people, you can rejoin play at any time when you’ve finished browsing.

System software update 2.40 also delivers trophies to recognise players’ achievements in the online arena. Other competitive activities recognise winners with trophies – so why not gaming on PS3? Many online games will have gold, silver and bronze trophies – with platinum available for those who snag all three – all displayed on the PS3 Home Menu (XMB) for everyone to see. Complementing these enhanced communications features, the Friends list capacity will double to 100 Friends so you can stay in touch with even more PS3 owners around the world.

The 2.40 enhancement is just one more reason to join PLAYSTATION Network, the online network for PS3 users that lets you play online for free*. All you need to do to join is connect your PS3 to broadband and register. Once in, you’ll find online matches and leagues for all of your favourite games absolutely free (although users are responsible for paying their broadband fees) and at any time of the day or night. You’ll also find PLAYSTATION Store, where you can download entire games as well as extra levels, content for your existing games plus Internet browsing, video chat thanks to PLAYSTATION Eye and much, much more.

There’s never been a better time to join PLAYSTATION Network. Sign up now to make the most of system software update 2.40.

* No subscription required, broadband fees apply.

(for US PSN)

• Hot Shots Golf demo
• Top Spin 3 demo
• PAIN Nigel Character ($1)
• Guitar Hero III “I am Murloc” (Free)
• Rock Band DLC
  • Weezer Pack ($5.49)
  • The Pixies’ Doolittle ($19)
• Battlefield: Bad Company Accolades TV Spot
• Battlefield: Bad Company Preston’s Blog
• Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway - Ubidays Trailer
• Call of Duty: World at War Trailer
• The Incredible Hulk Trailer
• HAZE Launch and Song Trailer
• The House Bunny movie Trailer
• So I Married An Axe Murderer movie Trailer
• Men in Black Blu-ray Trailer
• PAIN: Nigel Theme
• PSN Theme

(for UK PSN)

• Metal Gear Solid Database (free)
• Pursuit Force full PSP game (£14.99)
• Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 demo (free)
• PAIN Nigel add-on pack (£0.69/€0.99)
• Guitar Hero III “World of Warcraft song” add-on pack (free)
• Call of Duty: World at War Reveal Trailer
• Prince of Persia Debut trailer
• PAIN Characters trailer
• Prince Caspian trailer

(for JP PSN)

• Shiki-Tei PS3 game (1500Yen)
• Minna No Golf 5 Costume Set Volume 2
• Dragonball Z Burst Limit demo (free)
• Kungfu Panda promotion video (free)

(for US PSN)

• Fatal Inertia EX ($29.99)
• Fatal Inertia EX demo (free)
• NCAA Football 09 demo (free)
• Metal Gear Solid 4 Database (free)
• Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 demo (free)
• Hail to the Chimp demo (free)
• Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds Oceania Course ($5)
• Incredible Hulk DLC - Six competitive two-player mission types (free)
• Guitar Hero III “Coldplay” track pack ($6.25)
• Rock Band DLC
  • “Afterlife” - Avenged Sevenfold ($2)
  • “Critical Acclaim” - Avenged Sevenfold ($2)
  • “Hammerhead” - The Offspring ($2)
  • “Rock N Roll Dream” - Crooked X ($1)
• Linger In Shadows video
• PAIN: Character Intro
• Fatal Inertia EX: Titan trailer
• Golden Axe: Beast Rider Teaser Trailer
• Prince of Persia trailer
• Hail to the Chimp trailer
• AST Dew Tour Theme
• PAIN Theme song

(for UK PSN)

• Civilization Revolution demo (free)
• Dark Sector demo (free)
• Warhawk “Booster Combo Pack” (contains Operation Omega Dawn and Operation Broken Mirror) (£4.99)
• Guitar Hero III Coldplay track pack (£3.99)
• Everybody’s Golf: World Tour “Oceania Resort Course” add-on pack (£2.99)
• High Stakes Poker add-on pack (free)
• GT Academy “Launch Film”
• 3x Battlefield: Bad Company trailers
• Movement “Old Man” trailer
• Movement preview trailer
• High Velocity Bowling “Postcard” theme
• High Velocity Bowling “Bowl” theme
• High Velocity Bowling “Strike” theme
• Pain “Nigel” theme

(for JP PSN)

• Shoten Beat PSone game (800Yen)
• Metal Gear Solid 4 Database (free)
• Mainichi Issho new update (free)
• SIREN New Translation promotion video (free)

The lineup started to form in front of the doors at TecAsia from 7am in the morning. The numbers were small at first, but the closer it got to midnight, the bigger the line grew. By midnight, the pre-order crowd were marched in, lead by the first person in line, whose gaming call sign is ‘Sh1mX’. Being handed the first MGS4 game and a limited edition Metal Gear action figure, triumphantly he raised it for all to see, just after he paid at the counter.

This glorious event was organized by ConsoleGame.com.my with collaboration with partner retailer, TecAsia, Malaysia largest IT superstore as main venue sponsor and endorsed with full support by Play Interactive Software Sdn Bhd, Malaysia Konami exclusive distributor, to officially launch this long awaited PS3 exclusive title. Among prizes up for grabs during lucky draw, are Limited Edition PS3 MGS4 Bundle Gun Metal, Sony 32” Bravia LCD TV, Sony 5.2 Channel Home Theater System and 12” Medicom MGS4 Limited Edition Action Figure.

More photos of the event: http://community-play-beyond.net/topic/5000886/