The Stealthiest Delay: Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater’s Online Multiplayer Won’t Be a Launch Title

The highly-anticipated remake of a PlayStation 2 classic, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, is set to launch on August 28th, but players looking to test their tactical espionage skills against others will have to wait. Konami has officially confirmed that the game’s new online multiplayer mode, “Fox Hunt,” will not be available at launch. The mode is being delayed until “Fall 2025,” an announcement that was quietly updated on the game’s official website and has sparked a mix of disappointment and cautious optimism within the dedicated fanbase. This staggered release of the single-player campaign and its online component is the catch, and it’s a move that has left many questioning Konami’s strategy for a game that is already under immense scrutiny as the first major title in the series since the departure of creator Hideo Kojima.

The news came as a surprise to many, especially since the multiplayer component, a spiritual successor to the beloved Metal Gear Online from the Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence re-release, had been a key point of discussion and marketing. The “Fox Hunt” mode, described as a unique take on “hide-and-seek” that broadens the franchise’s core stealth elements, was a major selling point for players who were looking for a modern multiplayer experience in the classic MGS3 setting. The decision to delay it, just weeks before the game’s full release, has been met with a mixed reception, with some fans expressing frustration over the game not being “complete” at launch, while others are hopeful that the extra development time will result in a more polished and stable online experience.

“Fox Hunt” Explained: What We Know and What’s to Come

Konami has been clear that “Fox Hunt” is not a direct remake of Metal Gear Online, which was featured in the original MGS3: Subsistence. Instead, the developers have stated that they wanted to build a new mode that better fits the modern multiplayer landscape while staying true to the franchise’s stealth and survival gameplay. The official description from Konami highlights that the mode “utilizes the fundamentals of one of the popular game rules from METAL GEAR ONLINE and the sneaking gameplay elements iconic to the METAL GEAR series.” This suggests a strong focus on smaller-scale, cat-and-mouse stealth encounters in the jungle environment of the game, which many MGO veterans will recognize as an homage to the “Team Sneak” mode.

While the delay is a major drawback, Konami has confirmed that “Fox Hunt” will be a free update for everyone who purchases the base game. This is a crucial detail that will alleviate some of the community’s concerns about potential microtransactions or a separate purchase for the online component. The launch window of “Fall 2025” is still vague, with fall beginning on September 22nd and lasting until early December. This leaves a significant gap between the single-player launch and the multiplayer’s arrival, which could impact the long-term success of the mode. A major risk with a staggered launch is that the initial player base, having finished the single-player campaign, may have moved on to other titles by the time the multiplayer is released, potentially killing the mode’s chances of building a thriving community.

A Modern Trend with a Major Risk

The practice of delaying online multiplayer modes after a single-player launch is not new. Games like Grand Theft Auto V have successfully implemented this strategy, giving the development team more time to polish the online component and avoid a messy launch. However, for a title like Metal Gear Solid Delta, which is already under immense pressure to live up to the legacy of its source material, this decision is particularly risky. The game is being sold as a full-priced, $70 title, and the absence of a promised feature at launch has led to some criticism from players who feel the game is not a “complete package.”

The success of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater will largely depend on the quality of its single-player campaign, which is being built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. With new controls, a free-moving camera, and stunning visual enhancements, the remake is poised to be a faithful yet modernized adaptation. The multiplayer delay may be a blessing in disguise, allowing the development team to focus on the core single-player experience and deliver a masterpiece worthy of the name. However, the true test will come in the fall, when “Fox Hunt” finally launches, and the community will see if the extra development time was worth the wait. For now, players will have to be patient, focusing on the thrilling story of Naked Snake and hoping that when the time comes to enter the online fray, the long-awaited multiplayer will be a true return to form for the iconic franchise.