Hideo Kojima's upcoming stealth-action game, Physint, has found a new home with Xbox after PlayStation rescinded its publishing support. The veteran game designer confirmed that he received notice from Sony of its intention to cancel the project, a spiritual successor to the Metal Gear Solid series.
Following the termination of the deal with PlayStation, Kojima Productions spent several months seeking a new publishing partner before Microsoft stepped in to secure a publishing agreement for Physint. This marks the second collaboration between Kojima Productions and Xbox, with the first being the horror title OD.
Physint's journey to Xbox comes after a decade since its initial reveal at a PlayStation E3 press conference, where Kojima himself presented the first trailer for his previous title, Death Stranding. The move has sparked considerable discussion among fans and observers, particularly given the close proximity of Kojima Productions' studio to Sony's facilities. The decision is seen by some as another instance of Sony parting ways with significant creative talent and projects.
While the game is intended as a return to Kojima's roots in stealth and espionage, it also aims to explore the intersection of film and video games. Even when the project was under Sony's purview, Kojima indicated that Physint was still several years away from release. The shift to Xbox and the subsequent renegotiation may further impact its development timeline.