Hideo Kojima’s upcoming espionage project Physint is changing course after PlayStation decided to withdraw its financial backing. Sony reportedly reassessed its involvement because of rising production costs, delays in the development schedule and uncertainty surrounding the game’s commercial potential. The project was still several years away from release, while its expected budget had already grown considerably. PlayStation was also reportedly hesitant to commit such a large investment to a title that might eventually appear outside its own ecosystem.

The decision also appears to have been influenced by the financial performance of Death Stranding and Death Stranding 2. Although both games strengthened Kojima Productions’ reputation and attracted significant attention, their revenues reportedly fell short of PlayStation’s internal expectations. Sony had previously supported the studio while allowing Kojima Productions to retain ownership of its intellectual properties, with the Death Stranding games initially launching as temporary PlayStation exclusives before expanding to other platforms.

Physint was announced in 2024 as Kojima’s return to the espionage action genre that helped establish his international reputation through Metal Gear Solid. Following PlayStation’s withdrawal, Kojima Productions spent several months searching for another partner before reaching an agreement with Microsoft. Xbox will now support and publish the project, with plans to release Physint on both Xbox and PC. The partnership is also expected to extend beyond traditional game development.

Microsoft and Kojima Productions are planning a broader collaboration covering film and television projects connected to Physint and the experimental horror title OD. The move represents a major shift in Kojima’s long relationship with PlayStation, which dates back to the original Metal Gear Solid era. It also arrives as Sony tightens its development strategy following several costly cancellations and disappointing live-service projects. For Xbox, securing Physint gives the company another major AAA production while strengthening a partnership with one of the most recognizable creators in the video game industry.

Source : Bloomberg