- PlayStation cancels collaboration on Physint and Kojima looks for a new publisher.
- Xbox becomes the new partner of Kojima Productions, ensuring development.
- The game will feature actors such as Charlee Fraser, Don Lee, and Minami Hamabe.
- Xbox and Kojima will also collaborate on film and TV, expanding the Physint universe.
Sony's announcement has landed like a bombshell in the industry. After more than three decades of collaboration with Hideo Kojima, PlayStation has decided to end its support for PhysInt , the action-spy game the Japanese creator was developing exclusively for its platform. The notification came in mid-June, but it wasn't made public until September.
Wasting no time, Kojima Productions has found a new partner in Xbox . Microsoft has acquired the publishing rights to PhysInt, ensuring the project's continued development. This move not only revives one of the most anticipated titles but also strengthens the relationship between Kojima and Microsoft, who were already collaborating on the mysterious OD.
The unexpected twist from PlayStation
According to the official statement from PlayStation Studios, the decision was made after careful consideration. The company thanked Kojima for his vision and affirmed that the relationship remains strong after three decades of creative collaboration , though they did not provide specific details about the reasons for the split. For his part, Kojima stated on social media that the cancellation was unexpected and that he decided to seek a new publisher to keep the project alive.
The news has caused quite a stir in the community, especially since just a few months earlier, PlayStation executive Hermen Hulst publicly praised Kojima and confirmed his full support for PhysInt. This plot twist has caught everyone by surprise, and many interpret it as a change in strategy at Sony following the results of Death Stranding 2 , although the company has not confirmed this theory.
Xbox rescues PhysInt
After three months of negotiations with several companies, Kojima has announced that Xbox will be the new publisher of PhysInt. Asha Sharma, CEO of Xbox, welcomed the project, emphasizing that creators have choices about where to take their ideas and that they are honored that Kojima has chosen their platform. This agreement is not limited to the game, as both parties have confirmed a broader collaboration that includes film and television projects.
The development of Physint is progressing as planned. In fact, several actors have already been confirmed for the cast , including Charlee Fraser, Don Lee, and Minami Hamabe, and motion capture sessions are expected to begin in late 2026. The game, considered the spiritual successor to Metal Gear, promises a next-generation espionage experience with cutting-edge technology.
Context and analysis
PhysInt was officially announced in January 2024 during a PlayStation State of Play, with Hermen Hulst introducing Kojima himself. The project had been in development for years and, according to the director, represents the culmination of his work in the action and espionage genre . Now, with Xbox as publisher, it joins the Japanese studio's roster of games on the platform, alongside the terrifying OD.
Although the split with Sony has been difficult, both sides insist their relationship remains strong . Kojima thanked PlayStation for its support over the years, while Sony wished the creative director well. It remains to be seen how this decision will affect the future of both companies, but Xbox players certainly have reason to be happy.
Ultimately, the change of publisher hasn't meant the end of PhysInt; quite the opposite. The project has been saved thanks to the agreement with Xbox and is now more eagerly anticipated than ever. Kojima has proven once again that he doesn't give up easily, and that his vision will continue regardless of the obstacles.