Well, it finally happened. After years of rumours, the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater remake was officially announced at the PlayStation Showcase on 24 May. While the CG trailer didn’t show us anything from the actual game, it ended with an epic reveal of Naked Snake (Big Boss) emerging from the shadows of the jungle. Despite the excitement, the announcement left fans with one question: why is it called Metal Gear Solid Delta?
The name of the remake is actually written as Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater. The triangle symbol is ‘delta’, the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. However, this has caused many fans to jokingly refer to the game as “Metal Gear Solid Triangle”.
Admittedly, the name is pretty confusing. And the use of a Greek symbol is a strange choice for the remake of a game with such a well-known numbered title.
So, why is the MGS3 remake called Metal Gear Solid Delta?
Why is the MGS3 remake called Metal Gear Solid Delta?
-UPDATE-
In a tweet posted to the official Metal Gear Twitter account, Konami explained that the “Δ“ symbol and the “Metal Gear Solid Delta” name had been chosen because of its meaning.
“The Delta symbol (Δ) was chosen because its meaning fits the concept of the remake project. Delta means “change” or “difference” without changing structure,” Konami explained.
-ORIGINAL ARTICLE CONTINUES-
Konami hasn’t shared an official reason for why the MGS3 remake is called Metal Gear Solid Delta (or Metal Gear Solid Δ). However, there are a couple of possible explanations.
It seems that the new remake is called Metal Gear Solid Delta because the triangular “Δ” symbol visually represents the number 3. What’s more, the delta symbol is used to denote change in scientific and mathematical equations, which would make sense as the remake will change MGS3 for modern audiences.
Of course, we don’t yet know how different this remake will be from the original Snake Eater. But the idea of using the symbol to represent change somewhat contradicts Konami’s description of the remake as a “faithful recreation of the original story and game design.”
To make things even more confusing, delta is the fourth (not the third) letter of the Greek alphabet and has a value of 4 in Greek numerals.
Until official comment on the name is made, it seems that the most logical explanation for why the remake is called Metal Gear Solid Δ is a simple stylistic choice. Although, it is undoubtedly a perplexing one.
Are you excited for Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
