For dedicated fans of the Metal Gear Solid series, a decade-long wait can feel like an eternity. However, the wait is almost over with the upcoming release of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater at the end of the month, which aims to modernize a beloved classic. Looking further ahead, it`s anticipated that the franchise`s future will be entrusted to a new cohort of developers.
Industry veterans Noriaki Okamura and Yuji Korekado recently revealed their plans to transition the Metal Gear franchise to a younger development team, should Konami greenlight a new installment in the series.
Okamura explained to Rolling Stone that bringing in new, younger developers was crucial not just to teach them the intricacies of creating a Metal Gear game, but also to allow them to experience the development process firsthand. He added, “While we`ll still be involved for some time, our primary objective is to cultivate a team capable of continuing this legacy and, hopefully, delivering even more thrilling games in the future.”
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is envisioned as a foundational project for this transition. Both Okamura and Korekado believe it has the power to reinvigorate the franchise and attract fresh talent. Korekado highlighted how experienced developers integrated suggestions from younger team members to modernize the game effectively, ensuring it maintains the captivating core elements that defined the original release in the 2000s.
Meanwhile, the future trajectory of Metal Gear Solid is unlikely to include its original creator, Hideo Kojima. Since his departure from Konami, the acclaimed industry figure has been deeply involved with various endeavors at his own studio, including Death Stranding and its upcoming sequel, OD, and Physint, which is considered a spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid.
Kojima has publicly acknowledged the mental and physical strain that game development entails, especially with age. Nevertheless, he remains committed to his creative pursuits for as long as he can, humorously noting his ambition to be the first to develop a game in space. Interestingly, he has no plans to play Metal Gear Solid Delta.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is set to release on August 28 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Our review awarded it a 9/10, with Tamoor Hussain describing Konami`s remake of Metal Gear Solid 3 as “a safe but successful modernization of a beloved classic.”