What's the deal with Metal Gear Solid 5 microtransactions?

Konami has moved to clarify how microtransactions in Metal Gear Solid 5 work after reports indicated the FOB online multiplayer mode was locked behind a paywall.

Yesterday Gamespot reported players would have to spend real world money to build a Forward Operating Base (FOB), which can be invaded and defended by those who choose to enable the mode.

That report was based on the game as it is now - a week before release. And backing up the report, Gamespot published the screenshot, below, which shows players must first "purchase waters" in order to construct a new FOB to expand their base. Here, we see the following line: "Spend MB Coins (paid service) to purchase waters."

Mention of a "paid service" set tongues wagging and sparked concern among prospective Metal Gear Solid 5 players. Would Konami force players into spending money to unlock the FOB mode? And what are MB Coins? None of us at Eurogamer who have played Metal Gear Solid 5 have encountered MB Coins during our playthroughs. And if they are required, how much do they cost?

The kerfuffle sparked Konami into issuing a strongly-worded statement to PC Gamer in a bid to clarify the growing confusion. Here it is:

Konami later clarified further with Gamespot, insisting the "initial" FOB platform is not behind a paywall. Here's the follow-up statement:

So, that sounds like you'll get your first FOB for "free" (I say "free" because this is a full-price game we're talking about), and you'll have to spend MB Coins to buy more.

Just a week before launch, then, questions remain over these MB Coins and their "payment model". Is it possible to gain them through normal play, or are they an in-game currency that must be bought with real-world cash?

Konami producer Kenichiro Imaizumi took to Twitter to say there are multiple ways to "make money" in the game, but it's all a bit hazy.

You can make money by completing missions on single campaign mode. There are other ways to make money as well.

— 今泉健一郎/KEN IMAIZUMI (@Ken1555) August 10, 2015

Perhaps this latest microtransaction row is all part of Kojima's masterplan? We'll know more on 1st September, when Metal Gear Solid 5 is unleashed.

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