Xbox has stepped in to publish Hideo Kojima's upcoming stealth action game, Physint, following a sudden decision by PlayStation to end its collaboration with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS on the project. The surprise announcement came via a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter, on September 9.
PlayStation initially announced its departure from the collaboration, stating, "After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to step away from collaborating with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS on its project PHYSINT." The company added that it "continue[s] to have great admiration for Hideo Kojima's vision for the game" and that its "relationship remains strong."
Mere minutes later, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed that Xbox would now publish Physint. This marks a significant publishing deal for Sharma, her first since assuming leadership of the division. Xbox is already working with Kojima Productions on the horror project OD. Sharma expressed enthusiasm for the renewed partnership, tweeting, "Proud to build both with @HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN in Japan. A big moment for XBOX."
Kojima himself provided further context, explaining that KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS received an unexpected notice from PlayStation Studios in mid-June of this year regarding the cancellation of the Physint project. He emphasized the game's importance to him and his studio, stating, "Determined to keep the project alive, we have spent the last three months searching tirelessly for a new partner."
"In the course of seeking advice and pursuing negotiations with people across many fields, we found in XBOX a partner with whom we share a common vision for the future, and we have decided to team up with them once again," Kojima wrote. The project is described as having "big Metal Gear vibes" and is intended as a next-generation title.
The new partnership with Xbox will reportedly extend beyond video games, with collaborations planned across film and television to adapt KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS' stories for broader audiences. This aligns with Xbox's stated ambition to increase user engagement with its entertainment offerings and follows reports of Microsoft exploring licensing deals for its game franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Diablo for screen adaptations.