Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes length controversy -- Kojima weighs in

Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima has spoken out to defend the length of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, after it was controversially revealed that a single playthrough might last only two hours. Writing on Twitter, Kojima explained that the game has a handful of side missions, and because it's nonlinear, he said he expects people to complete multiple playthroughs.

"MGSV Ground Zeroes includes the main missions alongside 5 Side Ops. All missions include elements such as 'Trial Record,' where players can compete against each other online," Kojima said. "This is not a linear game like the past."

"GZ offers freedom of approach & play style, which we hope players will enjoy over & over without boring," he added. "I believe people will be satisfied with the 'play time' of GZ and will not stress the 'clear time,' which is a standard for linear games."

Kojima's statement follows comments made by one of his employees, Metal Gear Solid V designer Jordan Amaro, who said yesterday that a game's length is not necessarily associated with quality. He cited Journey, Dear Esther, and Voltaire's Candide as examples.

Ground Zeroes will sell for $20 to $40 depending on platform and delivery choice at launch on March 18. The game is a prequel to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, which is said to be "hundreds of times larger" than Ground Zeroes. Konami hasn't set a release date for that game yet.