Hideo Kojima’s Physint is no longer a PlayStation exclusive. The action-espionage title, announced for Sony’s platform in 2024, is now being published by Xbox, as PlayStation severs ties with Kojima Productions and Microsoft steps in to take over. PlayStation says it “stepped away from the project” earlier this year, for undisclosed reasons.
PlayStation’s Statement
“After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to step away from collaborating with Kojima Productions on Physint,” says a post from PlayStation. The company insists the split is amicable. “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.”
Asha Sharma’s Welcome
Asha Sharma, who leads Xbox, welcomed Kojima to the platform. “Creators have choices about where and how they bring their ideas to life,” she says in a post on the Xbox Wire. “We’re honored that Kojima-san has chosen Xbox to work with Kojima Productions on Physint.”
Kojima confirmed the pivot himself. “As confirmed earlier through our official channels, in mid-June of this year, we unexpectedly received notice from PlayStation Studios that they would cancel the Physint project,” he says in a tweet. “Determined to keep the project alive, we have spent the last three months searching tirelessly for a new partner.”
He added: “Please rest assured that development of Physint, our genre-defining action-espionage title, is ongoing and will continue moving forward.”
Kojima’s Confirmation
The game was announced as a return to the action-espionage genre that made Kojima famous. He conceived it during a period of sickness and surgery, when thoughts of his own mortality convinced him to “change his priorities.”
Earlier this year, Kojima confirmed that casting, scans, and performance capture sessions would kick off in “late 2026.” The game was already casting actors last year, with talent such as Charlee Fraser, Don Lee, and Minami Hamabe attached.
The Columbia Pictures Tie
Kojima has also tied the project to Columbia Pictures, a division of Sony Pictures. That connection may now be in question.
“His ambition to challenge conventions reflects the kind of creativity we want to support at Xbox.” — Asha Sharma
Herman Hulst’s Backing
Herman Hulst, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, has previously backed Kojima’s “next stage tactical espionage action game” publicly. Whatever soured between the two companies is unclear.
Sony is reassessing its video game investments as profit margins stagnate. Xbox may have been more willing to invest, a possibility raised by a July 2026 report that Kojima’s other game, OD, was reportedly safe from Microsoft cuts.
OD’s Reported Safety
Back in July 2026, we learned Kojima’s other experimental game, OD, was reportedly safe from Microsoft cuts despite other studios facing the axe as part of Xbox’s ‘reset’ initiative.
What Happens Next
Kojima has said Physint won’t be out for another “five or six” years, so Xbox is betting on a long-term project. The game could be a marquee title for the unrevealed Xbox Project Helix.
| PlayStation | Xbox | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Former publisher | Current publisher |
| Status | Stepped away in mid-June | Took over after three-month search |
| Stated reason | Undisclosed | Shared vision for the future |
Kojima has previously called Physint “just the start,” hinting at franchise potential. Whether the move to Xbox pays off remains to be seen.
Development continues. The game is alive. The partner has changed.
Source: eurogamer.net
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.