Hideo Kojima's upcoming action-espionage game, codenamed Physint, has found a new home with Xbox after PlayStation unexpectedly canceled the project. Kojima Productions announced that the shift in partnership came after Sony Interactive Entertainment informed them of the cancellation in June.
According to Kojima, his studio spent three months searching for a new partner to continue development. The decision to team up with Xbox was based on a shared vision for the future of gaming and interactive entertainment. This marks a renewed collaboration between Kojima Productions and Xbox, who are also working together on the horror title OD.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company is honored by Kojima's choice and that his ambition aligns with Xbox's goal of supporting creative endeavors. The partnership will extend beyond games, with plans to collaborate on film and television projects to bring Kojima's stories to wider audiences.
PlayStation, in a statement, expressed that the decision to step away from Physint was difficult but that their relationship with Kojima remains strong. The platform holder highlighted their continued admiration for Kojima's vision and looked forward to future collaborations.
Kojima Productions and Sony have a long-standing relationship, beginning with the Metal Gear Solid series on PlayStation and continuing with the publishing of Death Stranding and its sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, as timed exclusives. However, reports suggest that PlayStation's decision may be linked to the sales performance of Death Stranding, which reportedly sold fewer copies than its predecessor. The director's ambition for Physint, described as a project aiming to be "both a game and a movie at the same time," likely requires a significant investment, which Sony may have re-evaluated.
The move represents a significant gain for Xbox as it seeks to strengthen its market position. PlayStation, meanwhile, faces a public relations challenge following its recent decision to cease production of physical games.