No, Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain’s PVP Mode is not behind a paywall

Earlier it was reported by several news outlets that Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain's competitive multiplayer mode, Forward Operating Base , would be hidden behind a paywall. Initial reports claimed that if players wanted to participate in the game mode, they would first have to purchase in-game Mother Base Coins (MB Coins) with real-world money.

Konami has replied to the claims with clarification on the microtransactions and how they affect the game's Forward Operating Base mode. The multiplayer mode will be further detailed at launch, but it will be "fully accessible at launch and the microtransaction layer to that specific feature in the game primarily acts as an accelerator."

Further clarification has been offered through The Phantom Pain's producer Kenichiro Imaizumi earlier this month on Twitter. While players have the option to purchase MB Coins with real money, the coins can be earned in-game by completing missions in single-player campaign mode and unspecified "other ways."

We have been hearing about microtransactions in The Phantom Pain for quite a while. Previous details on the game revealed that the microtransactions would accelerate research and development in the Mother Base. Judging by Konami's clarification, it seems as though this is the feature they were offering details on accelerating features of the Mother Base.

Microtransactions are never a fun addition to a game, but at least there's no requirement to purchase MB Coins in order to access different game modes.