Both publisher Konami and developer Kojima Productions have announced the release date for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain’s prequel, Ground Zeroes. The prologue is set to release sometime in Spring 2014.

Series creator Hideo Kojima also provided details regarding the narrative link between Ground Zeroes and the actual full-fledged game, The Phantom Pain. Ground Zeros is designed to introduce players to the new open-world gameplay mechanics found in MGS V.

“The advanced capabilities of the FOX Engine have allowed me to tell the new story in a new way,” he says. “There will be a significant difference in what The Phantom Pain brings to the series, so we want to ease players into the new open world environment and its potential. As such, Ground Zeroes has been designed to introduce key elements, allowing them to fully benefit from all that the new game will offer.”

Ground Zeroes only consists of one mission, which is a Cuban rescue mission. It will be able for PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PS4. The game will cost £19.99 on PS3 and Xbox 360, and £29.99 on PS4 and Xbox One; in the UK. As expected the game is cheaper in the U.S, $19.99 for the older platforms, and $29.99 for the newer platforms.

(Source: IGN)