The wait is finally over. Fox Hunt, the free online multiplayer mode for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, launched today, October 30, 2025, bringing intense hide-and-seek stealth action to up to 12 players simultaneously. Konami dropped the official Fox Hunt trailer yesterday before the mode went live on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, giving players immediate access to two entirely new game modes built around the series’ signature sneaking mechanics combined with survival tactics and environmental strategy.
- Two Game Modes, One Intense Experience
- AT-CAMO and Authentic Stealth Mechanics
- Close Quarters Combat and Silent Takedowns
- Free Content for All Players
- Survival Mechanics and Resource Management
- Jungle Arena Design Philosophy
- Community Reception and Player Expectations
- What Happens Next for Fox Hunt
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Two Game Modes, One Intense Experience
Fox Hunt presents players with two distinct game mode options, each demanding different tactical approaches and environmental mastery. Both drop players into the jungle arena as FOX candidate members undergoing intense survival training where victory hinges on outwitting opponents while managing limited resources scattered throughout the maps.
Survival Capture pits players against each other hunting elusive Kerotan frogs – the series’ iconic talking frogs from the stealth sections of the original Metal Gear Solid 3. These frogs diminish in number as each match progresses through multiple phases, forcing players into increasingly desperate clashes as they race to secure each frog before opponents do. The shrinking frog population creates natural escalation in tension and aggression as the match nears conclusion.
Survival Intrude forces players to hold their ground inside a designated zone, progressing through each phase only by maintaining control. As matches advance, the number of available zones shrinks dramatically, compressing the play area and forcing survivors into tighter quarters where every position becomes critical. Stealth transforms from avoiding contact into strategic positioning within forced shrinking spaces.
Fox Hunt Core Features
- Two game modes: Survival Capture and Survival Intrude
- Up to 12 players per multiplayer match
- AT-CAMO suit with adaptive camouflage patterns for different environments
- Naked Sense ability detecting enemy locations and item positions
- Cardboard box hiding mechanics (yes really)
- Close-quarters combat for silent eliminations
- Weapon and equipment procurement from the battlefield
- Jungle arena environments with natural stealth opportunities
AT-CAMO and Authentic Stealth Mechanics
Every player spawns equipped with an AT-CAMO suit – the advanced tactical camouflage suit that adapts its pattern to surroundings. Deploy the AT-CAMO and instantly become nearly invisible against terrain, though movement reveals your position and observant opponents can still detect you through careful attention. The suit transforms your appearance to match the environment – jungle patterns in foliage, thermal signatures disappearing in heat, the series’ signature stealth mechanics now applied to player-versus-player combat.
Naked Sense represents your passive detection ability, letting you ping the environment and identify enemy positions plus available item locations. It’s not true wallhacking – information appears generic without precise targeting data – but combined with AT-CAMO creates a risk-reward calculation. Use Naked Sense too frequently and you alert observant opponents to your presence. Use it too little and you stumble blindly into ambushes.
Cardboard box hiding returns in all its glorious absurdity. Yes, you can literally hide inside a cardboard box and become nearly undetectable. Other players won’t see you unless they investigate closely or accidentally bump into your box. The cardboard box represents Metal Gear’s commitment to silly fun alongside tactical seriousness – the series’ perfect tonal balance distilled into multiplayer mechanics.
Close Quarters Combat and Silent Takedowns
While stealth forms the foundation, combat is inevitable when players eventually collide. Close-quarters combat (CQC) from the single-player campaign returns for multiplayer, letting skilled players perform devastating takedowns when they catch opponents unaware. CQC sequences play out as short animation moments where the aggressor gains automatic victory – no gunfire, no explosions, just pure martial skill deciding the encounter.
This CQC emphasis rewards positioning and timing. You can’t brute-force your way through Fox Hunt through pure aiming and reflexes like traditional shooters. You need to understand how players move through space, anticipate their positions, and execute perfectly-timed approaches. The stealth-first mentality transforms multiplayer engagement from reflexive shooting to calculated positioning.
Gunfighting certainly exists – weapons scattered throughout maps can be scavenged – but relying purely on firearms makes you vulnerable. The loudest weapon gets hunted immediately. Suppressed options exist but ammunition remains scarce. Smart players minimize gunfire, preferring knife work and CQC for silent eliminations that don’t alert distant opponents to your presence.
| Game Mode | Objective | Progressive Elements | Player Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survival Capture | Collect Kerotan frogs before opponents | Frog numbers decrease each phase, forcing confrontations | Up to 12 players |
| Survival Intrude | Control designated zones through phases | Zone count shrinks, compressing play areas progressively | Up to 12 players |
Free Content for All Players
Konami delivering Fox Hunt as a free update to all Metal Gear Solid Delta owners deserves recognition. The mode launched approximately two months after the base game’s September 2025 debut, giving Konami time to develop multiplayer infrastructure without the base game launching broken. More importantly, no paywall separates Fox Hunt from players – everyone with Delta gets immediate access to two complete multiplayer game modes.
This stands in stark contrast to modern live service practices where publishers increasingly gate content behind premium passes or seasonal subscriptions. Konami chose the generous approach, recognizing that robust multiplayer populations benefit everyone when access isn’t fragmented by payment models. Free updates breed player community while paywall-gated modes divide the playerbase into haves and have-nots.
The free model also positions Fox Hunt as a discovery vehicle for players who bought Delta only for the story campaign. Some will boot up multiplayer out of curiosity, discover they love the cat-and-mouse gameplay, and suddenly invest significant time in Fox Hunt alongside enjoying the single-player experience. That organic audience building creates healthier long-term multiplayer populations than arbitrary monetization barriers.
Survival Mechanics and Resource Management
Fox Hunt isn’t just about stealth and combat – it’s fundamentally about survival. Players must procure weapons and equipment from the battlefield, meaning you can’t count on starting with a specific loadout. Early match players hunt for supplies while maintaining low profiles. Mid-match players control weapon-rich territories. Late-match survivors make do with whatever remains, forcing adaptation and improvisational tactics.
This resource scarcity creates natural ebbs and flows in Fox Hunt matches. Early phases feature minimal contact as players gather supplies and information. Mid-game transitions to tense territorial skirmishes as resource points become contested. Endgame descends into chaos when survivors realize limited options remain and hesitation becomes fatal.
The dynamic differs significantly from traditional multiplayer shooters where spawning mechanisms ensure consistent loadout availability. Fox Hunt’s environmental scarcity forces players into the jungle itself, treating the terrain as tactical element rather than decorative backdrop. You’re not just fighting opponents – you’re fighting the environment while managing dwindling resources.
Jungle Arena Design Philosophy
Fox Hunt maps take place exclusively in jungle environments inspired by the Tselinoyarsk setting of Metal Gear Solid 3. The dense foliage, natural cover, rivers, and rock formations create countless hiding spots and sightlines. Map knowledge becomes crucial – expert players memorize weapon spawn locations, understand how different AT-CAMO patterns blend with specific terrain, and know which paths offer maximum stealth advantages.
The jungle setting inherently favors stealth over direct gunfighting. Wide open areas expose players, making them vulnerable to Naked Sense detection and observation. Dense vegetation offers concealment but limits visibility and hearing. Verticality through trees and cliffs creates elevation advantages for observant players. Every environmental feature factors into tactical calculations.
Community Reception and Player Expectations
Metal Gear fans expressed excitement about Fox Hunt since Konami first announced the mode during Tokyo Game Show 2025. The stealth multiplayer concept fascinated players tired of traditional competitive shooters. Metal Gear’s signature brand of tactical thinking finally getting multiplayer treatment promised fresh gameplay that differentiated from Call of Duty and Battlefield player pools.
Early impressions from players who accessed Fox Hunt post-launch have been cautiously optimistic. The mode works technically, with minimal lag and solid server stability. Gameplay feels distinctly Metal Gear rather than a generic tactical shooter reskin. The balance between stealth, combat, and survival creates engaging tension that keeps matches exciting without becoming exhausting.
Reddit communities discussing Fox Hunt emphasize how different the mode feels from standard multiplayer. Players enjoy matches where observational skills matter more than twitch reflexes. The ability to win through pure stealth without firing a shot appeals to those exhausted by competitive shooting. Cardboard box hiding generates consistent laughter and memorable moments that traditional multiplayer lacks.
What Happens Next for Fox Hunt
Konami hasn’t announced post-launch update plans for Fox Hunt yet, but the robust launch should signal developer commitment to supporting the mode long-term. Additional maps, cosmetics, and potentially new mechanics could arrive in future updates. The free-to-play nature means community investment depends on maintaining engagement through fresh content and balancing tweaks.
The big question is whether Fox Hunt can sustain its audience beyond launch week. Multiplayer modes live or die based on matchmaking quality and player retention. If Konami fails to keep servers responsive or balance issues frustrate the playerbase, Fox Hunt could fade into obscurity within months. Conversely, if the community embrace the unique stealth-focused gameplay and Konami commits to consistent updates, Fox Hunt could become a beloved long-tail multiplayer experience.
FAQs
When did Fox Hunt launch?
Fox Hunt launched today, October 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM JST (9:00 PM UTC October 29th) as a free update for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.
How much does Fox Hunt cost?
Fox Hunt is completely free for all Metal Gear Solid Delta owners. No additional purchase or subscription required.
How many players can play Fox Hunt?
Up to 12 players can participate in Fox Hunt matches across both Survival Capture and Survival Intrude modes.
What are the two Fox Hunt game modes?
Survival Capture involves hunting Kerotan frogs that decrease each phase, forcing confrontations. Survival Intrude requires holding ground in designated zones that shrink progressively as matches advance.
Can you hide in cardboard boxes?
Yes, cardboard box hiding returns in Fox Hunt. You can literally hide inside a cardboard box to become nearly undetectable to other players.
What is AT-CAMO?
AT-CAMO is an advanced tactical camouflage suit that all players spawn with. Deploy it to instantly become nearly invisible, with the suit adapting its pattern to match surrounding terrain.
Do you need Game Pass or PlayStation Plus to play Fox Hunt?
Yes, online multiplayer requires active PlayStation Plus subscription on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Game Pass Core on Xbox platforms. Steam players don’t need Steam Plus equivalent as Valve doesn’t require it for online play.
Conclusion
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater’s Fox Hunt arrives today as a refreshingly different approach to competitive multiplayer gaming. Rather than chase the Call of Duty formula dominating the market, Konami committed to Metal Gear’s unique stealth-first philosophy translated into 12-player hide-and-seek combat. Survival Capture and Survival Intrude modes create distinct tactical challenges where observation, positioning, and resource management matter as much as gunfighting. The AT-CAMO suit, Naked Sense detection, and yes, cardboard box hiding all translate the series’ signature absurdity-meets-tactical gameplay into multiplayer context. With Fox Hunt launching free to all Delta owners today and early player responses cautiously optimistic, Konami has positioned itself to build a dedicated multiplayer community around stealth-focused gameplay that stands apart from the oversaturated tactical shooter market. Whether Fox Hunt becomes a long-term competitive staple or a beloved niche experience depends on Konami’s commitment to post-launch support and community engagement, but the foundation is solid and the launch execution appears successful. Jump in today and join FOX as a candidate member in the most uniquely Metal Gear multiplayer experience you’ve ever encountered.