Hideo Kojima, the acclaimed creator behind Metal Gear and Death Stranding, has offered insights into the future of his upcoming tactical espionage game, Physint, following Sony's decision to cease publishing duties. The project has since found a new publishing partner in Xbox, but this transition has left several key questions unanswered, particularly regarding platform availability and the game's underlying technology.
When asked about whether Physint would be released on PlayStation 5, Kojima stated that the decision rests with Xbox. "I don't know the answer to that - that would be a question for Xbox," he told IGN. He also noted Xbox's stated intention to "deliver to as many gamers as possible, no matter what the platform is." This follows a period where Xbox has shifted its strategy, once again embracing exclusives after a more open approach. While some upcoming Xbox titles like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution are confirmed to be console exclusives, others such as Forza Horizon 6 and Fable are still slated for PS5, leaving the door open for Physint.
Regarding the game engine, Kojima admitted that no firm decision has been made. Following his departure from Konami and the founding of Kojima Productions, the studio partnered with Sony and utilized Guerrilla Games' internal engine, later named Decima, for Death Stranding. This engine was provided on the condition that Kojima Productions would contribute to its ongoing development. However, with Sony no longer publishing Physint, the engine's use is uncertain. "I haven't really decided yet. I'm still experimenting," Kojima explained. He also highlighted the extensive technological support offered by Xbox, mentioning their advanced research labs and cutting-edge technologies. "I want to use all this new technology. Anything that I can use, I want to use, and I'm looking forward to teaming up with Xbox, but I really haven't decided about the engine."
Kojima Productions' other upcoming project, OD: Knock, is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, suggesting that Epic's engine is also a viable option for Physint. However, with OD: Knock also lacking a release target, the development timeline for Physint remains unclear.