Anyone with a PlayStation 3 knows their online service needs some work, even after the recent update and store redesigns. But whatever, that’s par for the course. Too bad the online beta for metal Gear Solid 4 adds several steps to the process that turn an annoyance into a nightmare.

Here’s the breakdown:

  1. 1. Get your MGS 4 beta code by reserving the game and picking up your Metal Gear Saga Vol. 2 DVD.
  2. Follow the directions inside the case to download the 700+ MB beta on your PS3. Takes over an hour.
  3. Install beta. Takes awhile, but not too long.
  4. Try to start beta – get prompted to download update.
  5. Start download – wait many many hours. Die on the inside.
  6. Regain consciousness. Try to get Konami ID … and fail.
  7. Play something on Xbox LIVE.

You can’t download the update in the background and do something else on the PS3, and since I was going to bed I just canceled the whole thing at that point. I heard that once the update’s done you also have to get a unique Konami ID (yes, that’s in addition to the PSN ID). Too bad Konami’s ID site is down and you can’t get an ID at the moment.

Five plus hours and a lot of headache is an inexcusable barrier to entry. Hopefully the official online unveiling in June will go more smoothly.