Konami Digital Entertainment  has entered the next stage of its Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots campaign, with the launch of a new trailer for Hideo Kojima’s first PLAYSTATION 3 entry to the legendary stealth action series at Sony’s E3 press conference.

Due for a simultaneous worldwide release early in 2008, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is set in a war-torn future where huge conglomerates fight for supremacy using armies of hand-picked mercenaries. This battle-scarred arena is seen through the eyes of an older Solid Snake who has been charged with infiltrating a number of key locations across the globe, including the Middle East and South America.

The new trailer featured all new real-time footage from the PLAYSTATION 3 game and serves to whet players’ appetites with new revelations and glimpses of what the final game will contain. The new footage also showcased the return of popular characters from the Metal Gear Solid universe, including Meryl Silverburgh and Raiden – and confirms the return of iconic Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty adversary, Vamp.

The returning characters will again be voiced by the actors that have made them famous, with David Hayter breathing life into Old Snake, from an original script by series creator Hideo Kojima. Similarly, Paul Eiding returns as Roy Campbell, Quinton Flynn as Raiden, and Phil LaMarr and Pat Zimmerman as Vamp and Liquid Ocelot. The voice recording sequences have been directed by Kris Zimmerman.

“After several months under the radar, Kojoma Productions have broken cover to blow gamers away with its latest Metal Gear Solid 4 revelations,” commented Hans-Joachim Amann, Head of European Product Management from Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “The new trailer showed just how advanced the game is, and the sheer realism and genius we have come to expect from the Metal Gear Solid team. The new trailer is certain to whet the appetites of fans everywhere – and will reaffirm Guns of Patriots as the most anticipated title of the coming year.”