On a hot summer Thursday in June, throngs of eager MGS4 fans spent hours in front of UNIQLO’s flagship SoHo store in wait for a glimpse of the creator of the famed Metal Gear Solid franchise, Hideo Kojima. As part of the MGS4 world tour, Kojima Productions and Konami made a stop at the UNIQLO store to promote limited edition MGS4 t-shirts, and to promote the highly anticipated game.

Catering to the fans, Kojima and voice actress Yumi Kikuchi dedicated 2 hours to signing over 300 pieces of fan memorabilia; including everything from the original Metal Gear cartridge for the NES to a bag of wasabi-flavored Doritos! Kojima, being very humble and gracious, penned his signature and shook each patrons hand. Yumi Kikuchi was as equally kind, smiling and thanking each fan to pass through. For those lucky enough to make it, it was a very rewarding experience.

If you missed the event, be sure to check out NYT’s own photo gallery after the jump!

Security was tight all day, braving the heat in those black suits.

The line was massive! Some people waited overnight to meet their gaming hero.

The line wrapped itself all the way inside. Those lucky enough to be up front finally got to cool down a bit.

The limited edition MGS4/UNIQLO shirts sold like hotcakes.

A stellar, blockbuster movie-quality poster looks on as the crowd waits.

It seems so quiet up here! Where is Kojima?

The crowd, with their various memorabilia in tow, are starting to get restless…

Don’t you dare take Solid Snake’s place in line!

Kojima and actress Yumi Kikuchi have emerged. Let the frenzy begin!

Adoring fans and NYC press look on and snap photos.

Kojima’s hands must be getting tired by now.

“Why would someone ask me to sign a bag of wasabi Doritos?”

Kojima Productions staff had the best T-Shirts of all. Now, on to the next tour stop!

By Joshua C. Harris