Hideo Kojima has revealed that Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) informed him of their decision to cancel funding for his upcoming game, Physint, during a Zoom call in June. Kojima expressed his surprise and confusion, stating that he still does not know the precise reasons behind PlayStation's withdrawal from the project.
In an interview with IGN, Kojima recounted the moment he received the news. "So in June, SIE said they wanted to have a Zoom call," he explained. "They said they can no longer fund development for Physint. I was shocked and I said, ‘What did you say?’ I couldn’t quite process what they had said. I wasn’t sure because I was in shock."
The cancellation of Physint, which is described as a spiritual successor to the Metal Gear Solid series and is also planned as a film, had significant implications for Kojima Productions. The studio, which employs around 200 people, faced potential issues with bank loans and the possibility of layoffs for staff hired specifically for the game.
Kojima, who has a long-standing relationship with Sony spanning approximately 30 years, emphasized that he harbors no ill will towards the company, acknowledging the challenging times within the game industry. However, he expressed a desire for earlier communication regarding the decision, stating, "if this was the conclusion, I would’ve wanted to hear it a little earlier." He mentioned that the Zoom meeting in June delivered the "final notice."
Despite the unexpected turn of events, Kojima Productions secured a new publishing deal with Xbox to continue development on Physint. Kojima reiterated that Sony has not contacted him since the decision was made, but stressed that there is no ongoing dispute. "I’ve always been a big Sony fan," he stated, highlighting his personal affinity for the brand.
Previous reports from Bloomberg suggested that Physint's cancellation was linked to budget overruns, missed deadlines, and potentially the commercial performance of Death Stranding 2. The reports also indicated that a shift in leadership at Sony may have contributed to the breakdown of the collaboration.
Following these reports, Kojima Productions issued a statement urging skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims. The studio affirmed that its relationship with PlayStation remains strong and that the development of Physint with Xbox is proceeding as planned. The statement also clarified that the studio is in a "healthy, profitable state."