Hideo Kojima's upcoming action-espionage game Physint will be published by Xbox rather than PlayStation, Microsoft has announced, in a significant shift for one of the industry's most closely watched projects. The decision follows PlayStation Studios' cancellation of the game in mid-June, which Kojima confirmed publicly after three months of searching for a new partner.
Physint was originally announced in 2024 as part of a partnership between Kojima Productions and PlayStation, with Sony backing the project as a spiritual successor to the Metal Gear Solid series. The game was described by Kojima as an interactive experience that would also function as a movie, blending cutting-edge technology with talent from both film and video games. At the time, PlayStation Studios boss Hermen Hulst appeared alongside Kojima to announce the collaboration, promising full support with Sony's latest innovations.
In a statement, Kojima explained that the project was unexpectedly cancelled by PlayStation Studios in mid-June. «Determined to keep the project alive, we have spent the last three months searching tirelessly for a new partner,» he said. «In the course of seeking advice and pursuing negotiations with people across many fields, we found in Xbox a partner with whom we share a common vision for the future.» Kojima added that development of Physint is ongoing and will continue moving forward.
PlayStation issued its own statement confirming the decision to step away from the collaboration. «After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to step away from collaborating with Kojima Productions on its project Physint,» the company said. «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.»
The move represents a major public relations win for Microsoft, which has effectively secured a high-profile project away from its rival. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who took over from the retiring Phil Spencer earlier this year, has made Kojima a priority as part of her efforts to reset and rebuild Xbox, including a return to console exclusives. «Creators have choices about where and how they bring their ideas to life,» Sharma said. «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.»
The partnership will expand beyond Physint and Kojima's horror game OD, which Xbox will continue to publish, to include film and television projects. OD is expected to be released before Physint. Kojima noted that the expanded relationship with Xbox goes beyond OD, stating: «As we move forward with the development of Physint, we remain committed to redefining the action-espionage genre for players around the world.»
Physint remains a working title, and details about the game are still scarce. Kojima has previously said it could be another five to six years away, though work on the project is ramping up. This week, fans speculated that Batman actor Robert Pattinson may star in the game, following a teaser. Kojima last officially discussed Physint in September 2025 during a Kojima Productions anniversary event.
The switch from PlayStation to Xbox is a rare occurrence at the AAA level, comparable to when Final Fantasy moved from Nintendo to PlayStation during the original PlayStation era. For Xbox, securing a Kojima project that was once heavily backed by Sony underscores its renewed push for exclusive content and creative partnerships. For Kojima Productions, the deal ensures that Physint, a project Kojima has described as important both personally and to his studio, will continue development under a new publishing partner.