If you thought Microsoft was giving a slap to the face of it’s closest "next gen" competitor when it jointly announced with Square Enix last year that the previously Sony-exclusive Final Fantasy series was finally coming to its platform, you haven’t seen anything yet.

At today’s Microsoft E3 press conference a man of mystery and intrigue emerged from the veiled shadows of the standard industry show banter to offer a refreshing revelation and an answer to a nagging question among 360 owners: would Metal Gear Solid ever join the 360’s fray?

While harder to understand than the Microsoft representatives in attendance, that man was a lot more interesting to listen to. He brought messages of hope, unity and -- what else -- dudes in robotic stealth suits.

That man was Hideo Kojima, and that message was simply this: YES!

For the first time in the console’s nearly four-year existence, one of the industry’s most innovative producers is throwing his two cents in for the XBOX 360. But rather than just another "Solid Snake sequel," he’s offering something a little different. After all Kojima just wouldn’t be Kojima without his weird surprises.

What turned out to be little more than a teaser trailer -- if you can even call it that -- showed an art work image of series’ pretty-boy-acrobat-ninja Raiden in some some not so pretty bionic armor. There was a brief voice clip announcing his return.

It’s not much to go on, but it’s enough to send the fan community and the show goers into feverish daydreams about LIVE-enabled stealth showdowns and numerous dog-tag achievements. Well we can dream anyways.

For now we’ll have to trust Kojima and team to take the series to the next level on its brand new platform. (Availability of Rising for the PS3 has not yet been confirmed.)