After six years, Konami is shutting down some of the servers for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. This shutdown won't affect the single-player component of the game, and it's only for older versions, so if you're still halfway through the campaign, you don't need to worry.
When is the Metal Gear Solid V server shutdown?
Per an announcement on the official Konami website, the Metal Gear Solid V server shutdown starts today and runs through May next year. Don't worry, though: this server shutdown is only for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game. Today sees the rather ominous "termination of purchase system", followed by Metal Gear Online items no longer being up for grabs this November. After that, distribution will be terminated in March next year, and in May 2022, all online services for Metal Gear Solid V on those consoles will be shut down.
Again, this doesn't affect the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or PC versions of Metal Gear Solid V, so you'll still be able to play those online (although the secret nuclear disarmament ending has already been earned now, so you won't have that to work towards). Furthermore, the single-player campaign is only lightly affected by this change, so even if you're halfway through Venom Snake's strange journey on PS3 or Xbox 360, this server shutdown won't affect that much. You won't be able to get any refunds for items you've purchased online.
What does the future hold for Metal Gear Solid?
Hideo Kojima's flagship stealth franchise has rarely been out of the public consciousness even though it's been six years since a game was released (discounting Metal Gear Survive, of course). Last year, Konami released Metal Gear Solid and other titles on PC via GOG, and since Konami seems to slowly be inching its way back into being a game publisher and developer again, we may see another Metal Gear game sooner than later. Sadly, it's unlikely to boast Kojima's involvement given his acrimonious falling out with the studio.
Of course, if you love Hideo Kojima - and you don't mind him trying his hand at something a little more outre than Metal Gear Solid - then there's always Death Stranding, which is getting a Director's Cut edition on PlayStation 5 soon. If you want to delve into something even weirder, you could always take a deep dive into the chaos surrounding Blue Box and its upcoming horror game Abandoned, which conspiracy theorists have been alleging is a secret veiled Kojima project, although its trailer app tease disappointed many. Metal Gear Solid may be dormant, but the paranoia that is part of its central theme appears to be alive and well.
Are you still playing the PS3 or Xbox 360 versions of Metal Gear Solid V? Let us know in the comments below!
