Report: MGS Peace Walker Event Reveals Major Product Placements

Konami's recent press event for upcoming PSP title Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker revealed numerous product advertising partnerships and tie-ins for the title -- most notably, a cross-promotion with Capcom's Monster Hunter that'll see monsters from the series as part of the game. A report from consumer weblog Kotaku on the Japanese event noted product placements from Doritos, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Axe body spray, clothing brand Uniqlo and many more. Although director Hideo Kojima's fan-favorite "stealth action" franchise has always featured subtle product tie-ins -- for example, meal replacement Calorie Mate appears in multiple games, and recent MGS 4 featured a branded iPod music player -- this would appear to be an especially numerous list of brand placements. Square Enix, which has achieved considerable presence with merchandise for its properties, will develop a line of official figures. And notably, Japanese publications Famitsu and Dengeki PlayStation -- who presumably will be covering and reviewing the game -- have product spots in Peace Walker. The title launches in North America on April 8, where it'll get a "Spirited Green" PSP-3000 bundle at retail that also includes a content voucher and a memory stick.