Konami is preparing the Metal Gear franchise for the future by training a new generation of developers, according to series producer Noriaki Okamura. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Okamura explained that part of the reason for assembling a younger team was not only to give them the experience of creating a Metal Gear title but also to ensure the series’ legacy continues in the years ahead.
“So, one of the reasons why we brought in a lot of fresh meat — all the new, younger developers — is because, not only did we want to give them a chance to figure out how to create and develop a Metal Gear game, but also give them a chance to experience the game themselves,” Okamura said. He further added, “Right now the goal is to build a team that could carry on the legacy on our behalf and could produce, hopefully in the future, more exciting games.”
The remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta, has been described as both a tribute to the series’ roots and a training ground for the next wave of creators. Okamura noted that the decision to revisit the classic stemmed from two factors: the growing number of new players unfamiliar with the franchise, and the aging development leadership. “Because we’re getting old,” he admitted, stressing that it was important to introduce Metal Gear to an audience that had never experienced it.
While his comments stop short of confirming a new mainline entry, they suggest that Konami is positioning Delta as a stepping stone toward the future of the series. Whether a brand-new installment emerges will likely depend on the reception of the remake and the readiness of the younger team.
One element fans should not expect, however, is the involvement of the series’ original creator. Hideo Kojima, now leading development on Death Stranding 2, stated in a recent interview that he will not be playing the remake of his 2004 title.
For long-time players, Delta offers a faithful reintroduction to a pivotal chapter in the saga, while for new audiences it represents a gateway into one of gaming’s most influential series. For Konami, it appears to be both a preservation effort and a calculated handoff to the next generation of Metal Gear developers.
