When Hideo Kojima announced at Sony’s E3 press conference that a Metal Gear Solid game would be released on the PSP, he whipped the gaming masses into a foaming frenzy. And after teasing us with this trailer and a 2010 release date, we still hungered for more information. Today in a Konami press release, Kojima appeases our appetites a little by answering some questions about Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. However, like a typical LOST episode, some of his responses lead to more questions.

Kojima explained that he originally meant to leave MGS: PW to other creators at Kojima Productions but like a mother reluctant to let her 5-year-old walk to a friend’s house alone, thought it was too early to do so and maintained control in developing the game.

This game is an MGS5-class game. I am supervising, designing, producing, directing, and editing this title together with the MGS4 team. Therefore in that sense, “METAL GEAR SOLID” has not ended, and the “METAL GEAR SAGA” continues.

One interesting feature in the trailer revealed up to four Solid Snakes onscreen at the same time, suggesting the ability to play with others. However, when asked to confirm a co-op mode, Kojima declined to respond, but did mention that you will have the ability to customize Snake, depending on what kind of solider you want him to be. For example, you can allow Snake to carry a massive arsenal of weapons but at the cost of being not-so-stealthy, or vice versa.

Kojima noted that the end of the MGS:PW trailer featured two of the Snakes sharing one cardboard box and cryptically mentioned, “In addition to that two-man box, we are preparing a variety of other different cardboard boxes this time around.” Well, consider my curiosity peaked. What kind of boxes are we talking about here? Will we be able to shove all four Snakes in the box, like a bunch of clowns in a small car? Will the boxes have different colors? Will we be able to stuff enemies in boxes?

Kojima added that said that MGS:PW would have PSP-specific features and that “The game will be a little different from the METAL GEAR that players have come to know.” Finally, he hinted that MGS:PW will have character leveling, which he called a “growth feature”.

When asked about the codes on his Kojima Productions countdown to E3 teaser site, he broke down the meaning behind all those symbols. I tell ya, the man should write for LOST.

5=it is an MGS5 class game
S=Snake
巳＝snake in Kanji
E=E3
R=Raiden
3=3 from 360 and E3
6=6 from 360
P and S=PSP and adding 3 makes it PS3

Aside from the Snake and Raiden visuals, we featured a total of 10 “symbols” and when all of these are rearranged, they form connections to the announcements that we made at E3.

The first symbols that appeared were the number “5″ and the letter “S” for Snake that represented PW which, to me, is a “5″ class title. “巳” not only hints at the lowercase lettering of “E” for E3, but it is the kanji for the word “snake.” Also, the symbol that appeared at the very end is the kanji “日” and represents a sunny background and the sunrise that links to RISING.

The “RISING” of “METAL GEAR SOLID RISING” implies “the sun rising,” “the sun shining,” and “the sun shining on Raiden” that was revealed in the visuals on the HP. In addition, “RISING” also represents how “METAL GEAR SOLID” will be taking the next step up.

Going back to the symbols found on the HP, they also link to “the day of 360″ and also to each of the titles that we announced at E3. When each of the symbols are rearranged, I think you’ll be able to recognize E3, PSP, PS3, 360 and others. So everyone, how did you like it? Were your predictions on the mark?