Developers Konami have announced that Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain's multiplayer mode, Metal Gear Online, will soon be getting an update containing new maps and a 'Survival' game mode. The popular Survival mode has also been featured in previous installments of the Metal Gear franchise, which means that many fans will likely be excited to see its return.

Details of the upcoming DLC were revealed on Twitter by the official Metal Gear Online account:

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Additionally, Konami has now released the 1.02 update for The Phantom Pain's online mode. The update makes the game far more friendly to newer players by significantly speeding up the leveling up process. Now players require less XP to reach the next levels, meaning those that received the game for Christmas will have less trouble catching up with the more experienced veterans. Some players may even have gained several levels since the patch's release.

The update has also brought changes to several weapon values and other features that can be found here. Some of the more important changes are detailed below:

  • Sped up the draw speed of all handguns except the TORNADO-6.
  • Reduced the draw speed of all machine guns and the SERVAL AMR-7.
  • Decreased the damage value on S1000, KABARGA-83, and BULLHORN SG.
  • Extended the firing interval on S1000, KABARGA-83, and BULLHORN SG.
  • Increased the knockback value on S1000, KABARGA-83, RASP TB-SG, M2000-D, and URAGAN-G.
  • Decreased the amount of sway when aiming through a weapon with attachments such as scopes and sights while moving.
  • Decreased the flash effect and damage range on STUN GRENADE.

The effectiveness of the stun grenade has also seen another significant nerf. Before the update, any player in the vicinity would be temporarily blinded by the grenade, but now the game requires you to be facing the explosion in order for the device to have any effect.

In a future planned update, Konami has expressed a desire to change the game's revival system to one more similar to previous iterations of Metal Gear Online. The company stated:

"In previous MGO titles, it took a little more effort than a single kick to wake up your knocked out allies. Listening to player feedback, we're looking into requiring that extra effort to wake up your allies, so that there is greater risk when you stick your neck out to revive your friends."

The next update will also contain a Metal Gear Online T-Shirt that, unlike in the past games, will come with customizable colors.

Metal Gear Online has seen some significant improvements since its launch in October 2015. Initially, the game was in such a state that Konami was forced to issue an apology to the players, along with a significant amount of in-game currency as a bonus. Despite initial issues, the hugely successful game was easily one of the strongest contenders for best game of 2015 and was extremely profitable for Konami, making back double the game's cost on the launch day alone.

Although Hideo Kojima has left the company, Konami announced that they will still be continuing with the Metal Gear franchise without their former Vice-President. Last week, word surfaced that the developers were already beginning to hire staff to work on the next game, calling the title: "New Metal Gear." Since then, fans have discussed the possibility of the company planning to take the series in a whole new direction.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Source: Twitter