Fans and players of the "Metal Gear" franchise will not only have to survive zombie but also the latest games financial model, as "Metal Gear Survive" has been confirmed to include microtransactions and will constantly require internet connection as well.
This much was also confirmed by publisher and developer Konami, where they stated that online connection would be required even if playing solo. They believe that this would provide the most definitive experience for players and will "support a seamless integration between single player and co-op," as well as enabling the developers to introduce ongoing updates for the game.
As for the microtransactions, players will be able to purchase them via an in-game store, and these will most likely require real-world money first. Money can then be used to purchase a unique in-game currency in order to purchase stuff like Boost Passes, though Konami has made it clear that the virtual currency can also be acquired just by playing the game and without spending additional cash. It can be assumed that this can be done with a slower rate compared to just paying for it.
It remains to be seen whether the two financial and gameplay features of "Metal Gear Survive" will make or break the user experience. Players should keep in mind that this is what they will have to deal with for the duration of the game's main campaign with a 15 to 20-hour play time length, and more with multiplayer involved.
For those worried that the microtransactions will introduce some pay-to-win mechanics for the zombie survival game, "Metal Gear" producer Yuji Korekado himself has stated, "There will not be loot boxes, and there will not be Pay-to-Win types of microtransactions. There will be things like the accessories in Metal Gear Online, and Forward Operating Base in MGSV: The Phantom Pain."
This means that the developers might still be aiming for a balanced experience for all players, though that remains to be seen when "Metal Gear Survive" gets released on Feb. 20.
