Hideo Kojima's Physint Game Moves to Xbox From PlayStation
Microsoft is now funding and publishing Hideo Kojima's stealth action game, Physint, following a split with Sony. PlayStation ended its involvement due to rising costs, missed deadlines, and poor revenue from the Death Stranding series. Sony also viewed the project as a risky investment because it would not be a PlayStation exclusive. While Xbox has saved the project, the title remains years from completion and may face similar corporate challenges to those that plagued its development at Sony.
What changed
Reports now link the project's cancellation to a new PlayStation deadline model designed to prevent another Concord flop and indicate Kojima may have lost access to the Decima Engine.
Live updates
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Microsoft Takes Over Physint After PlayStation Cuts Ties Over Deadlines
Microsoft is now funding and publishing Hideo Kojima's stealth action game, Physint, following a split with Sony. PlayStation ended its involvement due to rising costs, missed deadlines, and poor revenue from the Death Stranding series. Sony also viewed the project as a risky investment because it would not be a PlayStation exclusive. While Xbox has saved the project, the title remains years from completion and may face similar corporate challenges to those that plagued its development at Sony.
Why it matters
Sony implemented a rigorous deadline model to avoid failures like the game Concord. This shift in corporate strategy led to the cancellation of the Physint partnership. The move shifts a high-profile project from one console giant to another during a period of industry volatility.
What is confirmed
- Microsoft will fund and publish Physint after PlayStation canceled its involvement.
- PlayStation dropped the project due to rising costs and missed deadlines.
- Revenue from Death Stranding and its sequel failed to meet Sony's expectations.
- Sony viewed Physint as a risky investment because the game would not remain a PlayStation exclusive.
Still unconfirmed
- Kojima Productions lost access to the Decima Engine after the partnership with Sony ceased.
- PlayStation's decision to drop the game was part of a specific effort to avoid another Concord-style failure.
- Physint may face similar corporate challenges at Xbox as it did at Sony.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of which game engine Kojima Productions will use instead of Decima
- Official release window or gameplay reveal from Microsoft
- Statements from Hideo Kojima regarding the transition to Xbox
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (6)
- comicbook.com — Hideo Kojima’s Physint Could Still Face Plenty of Issues at Xbox Outside of Cancellation
- ca.finance.yahoo.com — Sony’s Now Making Decisions Specifically To Avoid Another ‘Concord’
- www.tweaktown.com — Xbox CEO Asha Sharma spends hours personally responding to support tickets
- tech4gamers.com — PlayStation Dropped Physint As It’s Stricter With Deadlines Following Concord Flop, Says Insider
- savepointgaming.co — Why PlayStation Dropped Physint – Death Stranding Sales, Rising Costs & Exclusivity Reportedly Played a Role
- tech4gamers.com — Kojima Productions Now Has to Drop Decima Engine Despite Being The One to Perfect It
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Xbox to Publish Physint After PlayStation Exit Over Budget and Deadlines
Microsoft will now fund and publish Physint, a stealth action game from Hideo Kojima, after PlayStation canceled its involvement. Reports indicate Sony dropped the project because the budget grew too large and the team missed deadlines. Additionally, Sony was reportedly discouraged by the commercial performance of Death Stranding and its sequel, which failed to meet revenue expectations. PlayStation also viewed the project as a risky investment since the title would not remain a PlayStation exclusive. The game remains years from completion.
Why it matters
Physint is described as a spiritual successor to the Metal Gear Solid series. This move expands a partnership between Xbox and Kojima Productions that includes film, television, and the horror title OD.
What is confirmed
- Xbox will publish the action-espionage game Physint.
- PlayStation canceled its deal to publish Physint.
- Budget concerns and missed deadlines contributed to PlayStation exiting the project.
Still unconfirmed
- Physint is still years away from completion.
What to watch next
- Official release window for Physint
- Details on the joint film and television projects between Xbox and Kojima Productions
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (7)
- www.polygon.com — PlayStation's shock cancellation of Kojima's new game now makes perfect sense
- kotaku.com — PlayStation Reportedly Dropped Kojima’s Game Due To A Growing Budget And Missed Deadlines
- boundingintocomics.com — Hideo Kojima’s Next Action-Espionage Game Is Heading to Xbox
- tbreak.com — Bloomberg: PlayStation dropped Kojima’s PHYSINT over budget concerns
- comicbook.com — Physint Report Reveals Why PlayStation Tried to Scrap Kojima’s Upcoming Game
- finance.yahoo.com — PlayStation Ditched Hideo Kojima’s ‘Physint’ on Budget Concerns, Missed Deadlines
- www.ign.com — PlayStation Ditched Kojima's Physint Due to Missed Deadlines and Budget Concerns, Report Claims
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Xbox to Publish Hideo Kojima's Physint After PlayStation Exit
Xbox and Kojima Productions expanded their partnership to publish Physint, a stealth action game described as a spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid. The project shifts to Microsoft after PlayStation dropped the title. This deal extends the collaboration between the two entities beyond gaming to include film and television projects. Xbox will also continue its role in publishing the horror game OD, which is viewed as a spiritual successor to PT.
Why it matters
Physint was first announced at a 2024 PlayStation State of Play. Hideo Kojima is known for creating the Metal Gear Solid series, making this shift in publishing allegiance a significant move for the industry.
What is confirmed
- Xbox will publish Physint instead of Sony.
- Physint is a spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid.
- The partnership between Xbox and Kojima Productions now includes film and television.
- Xbox continues to publish the horror game OD.
- Physint was originally announced at a 2024 PlayStation State of Play.
Still unconfirmed
- PlayStation tried to cancel Physint before the Xbox deal was reached.
- The move to Xbox increases the likelihood that the game will be released on PC.
What to watch next
- Official release date for Physint
- Details on the specific film and television projects
- Confirmation of PC availability
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (11)
- Variety — Hideo Kojima's Physint Game Moves to Xbox From PlayStation
- XBOX Wire — XBOX and KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS Expand Partnership to Publish PHYSINT
- The Verge — Xbox picks up Kojima’s Physint after PlayStation dropped it
- IGN — Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid Spiritual Successor Physint Will Now Be Published by Xbox Instead of Sony
- Windows Central — PHYSINT shifts from PlayStation to Xbox as Kojima signs a new deal with Microsoft
- hothardware.com — PlayStation Nearly Killed Hideo Kojima’s Physint Game But Xbox Saved It
- www.techpowerup.com — Kojima's Physint Moves to Xbox After PlayStation Pulls the Plug on Project
- www.ign.com — Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid Spiritual Successor Physint Will Now Be Published by Xbox Instead of Sony
- www.rockpapershotgun.com — Hideo Kojima spy action game Physint switches publishing allegiance from PlayStation to Xbox, probably increasing the chances it'll hit PC
- tribune.com.pk — Hideo Kojima moves Physint publishing from PlayStation to Xbox
- www.vice.com — Hideo Kojima Responds to PlayStation After Sony Canceled His Game