KonamiDigital Entertainment Inc. and Kojima Productions announced today that its stealth action adventure game, METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES is now available for purchase in North, Central, and South America and will be available in Europe on March 20. The game has been delayed by a week in Australia and New Zealand.

“METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES marks a unique approach from our team by providing players with a prologue leading up to the eagerly awaited open world METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN,”said Hideo Kojima, Creator of the METAL GEAR SOLID series and head of Kojima Productions. “G ROUND ZEROES gives new and old franchise players a chance to get in on the ground floor and introduce them to the story and some of the major changes to the game design while they wait for THE PHANTOM PAIN.”

Set in1975, the GROUND ZEROES story centers on Big Boss, legendary hero and mercenary, as he infiltrates a secret Cuban prison camp called “Camp Omega” on a rescue mission with a need to remain undetected. Quickly, he finds himself behind enemy lines in a massive base with the freedom to choose what route to take; he can attempt pure stealth, open action, or something in between – how the mission is carried out is entirely up to each individual player. The game also features additional side missions that extends gameplay beyond the main prologue mission.

GROUND ZEROES features groundbreaking new technology and features made possible by Kojima Productions’ FOX Engine. These include the use of day, night and weather conditions that dramatically alter gameplay decisions. The game also utilizes a new, non-linear gameplay style for players to come up with numerous approaches and challenges, offering higher replay value. Furthermore, the game features an online global ranking system where players can compete in unique in-game/mission challenges and achievements and see how they stack up against others. Finally, players will find second screen functionality via the iDROID app. The app offers players a way to access maps, summon air support or play cassette tapes found throughout Camp Omega without blocking the view of nearby soldiers or areas. The iDROID app is available on iOS, Android and Xbox SmartGlass systems for free download.

Purchasers of GROUND ZEROES will receive exclusive downloadable content (DLC) for use later within THE PHANTOM PAIN, set to come out in the future. This exclusive DLC provides players with additional resources for the “Mother Base” area, a home-grown army base controlled by the player, within THE PHANTOM PAIN. In addition, anyone that purchases and plays GROUND ZEROES will also be able to carryover saved data content, such as character skins and accomplishments, where POWs and VIPs rescued in GROUND ZEROES are added to the Mother Base staff in THE PHANTOM PAIN.

METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES is available now for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 for $29.99 SRP for either a retail or digital download version of the game. For the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 system, the retail version is $29.99 SRP, and the digital download version of the game is available for $19.99 SRP.

The METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES iDroid app for iOS, can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or for Android devices via Google Play App Store.

Xbox One: Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
Xbox 360: Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes