Hideo Kojima’s upcoming action-espionage game Physint has found a new home at Microsoft’s Xbox after PlayStation unexpectedly canceled the project in June 2026. The move expands Kojima Productions’ relationship with Xbox beyond the horror title OD, bringing transmedia ambitions across film and television into play.
The video game industry was rocked when unexpected news broke regarding one of its most high-profile creative partnerships. PlayStation Studios unexpectedly notified KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS in mid-June that it was scrapping Physint, the spiritual successor to the classic Metal Gear franchise announced three years ago at a Sony State of Play event.
Rather than letting the project die, Kojima spent three months searching for a new publisher. That search culminated in a surprise announcement when Microsoft stepped in to acquire the publishing rights, turning what looked like a dead project into a major coup for Xbox game publishing. As Hideo Kojima wrote in a statement on X regarding the unexpected notice from PlayStation Studios in mid-June of this year, PHYSINT is an important project both to me personally and to KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS. Determined to keep the project alive, we have spent the last three months searching tirelessly for a new partner. In the course of seeking advice and pursuing negotiations with people across many fields, Kojima found in Xbox a partner with whom they share a common vision for the future, deciding to team up with them once again and reassuring players that development is ongoing and will continue moving forward.
PlayStation Steps Away as Kojima and Xbox Forge a New Alliance
The shifting of alliances ends a long chapter of exclusive cooperation between Hideo Kojima and Sony, which included their collaboration on the Death Stranding franchise. PlayStation Studios lead Herman Hulst previously heralded Physint during a previous announcement two years ago as part of the PlayStation and Kojima Productions partnership, but those plans dissolved behind the scenes.
“After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to step away from collaborating with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS on its project PHYSINT. We continue to have great admiration for Hideo Kojima’s vision for the game. Our relationship remains strong after three decades of industry-leading, genre-defining creative cooperation, and we look forward to continued close collaboration with Hideo Kojima and his award-winning independent studio in the future.”PlayStation, via official statement on X
Despite the cancellation notice, Kojima made it clear that development is ongoing and will continue moving forward. Conversations between Kojima and Xbox have been ongoing since earlier in the year when new CEO Asha Sharma came on board to replace Phil Spencer, and over the course of several months, Sharma and Kojima have had in-person meetings and ongoing discussions about his creative plans and ways they could work together across platforms, including IP development for TV and film, paving the way for the rescue deal.
“Creators have choices about where and how they bring their ideas to life. We’re honored that Kojima-san has chosen XBOX to work with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS on PHYSINT. His ambition to challenge conventions reflects the kind of creativity we want to support at XBOX.”Asha Sharma, Xbox CEO
Expanding Beyond Gaming Into Television and Film
The partnership goes far beyond a simple publishing handoff, with Xbox and Kojima Productions collaborating across film and television to bring new stories to broader audiences. Both Microsoft and Kojima confirmed that their collaboration will extend across film and television, with CEO Asha Sharma and Kojima discussing ways they could work together across platforms, including IP development for TV and film.
News of Kojima’s partnership expansion with Xbox also comes amid mounting discourse over PlayStation’s July announcement that it will cease production of physical discs for its games beginning with new titles releasing in 2028.
What This Means for Xbox and the Action-Espionage Genre
For Microsoft, securing Physint represents a massive strategic win. Beyond landing a project to follow up on the horror title OD made in collaboration with Jordan Peele—which does not yet have a launch date—the partnership extends the relationship with Xbox beyond OD.
PlayStation CANCELS Hideo Kojima's Game!! XBOX SAVES PHYSINT?!
“This expands our relationship with XBOX beyond OD. As we move forward with the development of PHYSINT, we remain committed to redefining the action-espionage genre for players around the world.”Hideo Kojima, Game Creator
Xbox Gains Publishing Rights to Hideo Kojima's Physint From PlayStation
Senior Editor, Entertainment
Marina is a celebrated pop culture columnist and recipient of multiple media awards. She curates engaging stories about film, music, television, and celebrity news, always with a fresh and authoritative voice.
