Kojima's Physint Moves to Xbox After PlayStation Cancels Espionage Project
Hideo Kojima's action-espionage title Physint will be published by Xbox after PlayStation Studios cancelled the project in mid-June, Microsoft has announced. The deal expands the Kojima-Xbox partnership beyond the horror game OD into film and television.
Hideo Kojima's long-anticipated action-espionage project Physint will be published by Xbox rather than PlayStation, Microsoft has confirmed, after Sony's PlayStation Studios cancelled the title earlier this year. The announcement marks one of the most significant platform shifts in recent console history and hands Microsoft a major public relations victory in its competition with Sony.
According to Kojima, the project was abruptly terminated in mid-June when PlayStation Studios issued notice that it would cancel Physint. Kojima described the title as personally important to him and to Kojima Productions, and said he spent three months searching for a new partner before settling on Xbox. «Determined to keep the project alive, we have spent the last three months searching tirelessly for a new partner,» he said. «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.»
The partnership will extend beyond Physint. Xbox will continue to publish Kojima's horror game OD, and the two companies will expand their collaboration into film and television. «This expands our relationship with Xbox beyond OD,» Kojima said. «As we move forward with the development of Physint, we remain committed to redefining the action-espionage genre for players around the world.» OD is expected to release before Physint.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who took over from the retiring Phil Spencer earlier this year, has made Kojima a priority as she seeks to reset and rebuild the Xbox business. Her strategy includes a return to console exclusives, beginning with Gears of War: E-Day this year and continuing with Clockwork Revolution in 2027. «Creators have choices about where and how they bring their ideas to life,» Sharma said. «We're honored that Kojima-san has chosen Xbox to work with Kojima Productions on Physint. His ambition to challenge conventions reflects the kind of creativity we want to support at Xbox.»
PlayStation issued its own statement confirming the split. «After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to step away from collaborating with Kojima Productions on its project Physint,» the company said. «We continue to have great admiration for Hideo Kojima's vision for the game. Our relationship remains strong after three decades of industry-leading, genre-defining creative cooperation, and we look forward to continued close collaboration with Hideo Kojima and his award-winning independent studio in the future.»
When Physint was first announced during the 2024 State of Play broadcast, it was heavily backed by Sony. PlayStation Studios boss Hermen Hulst appeared alongside Kojima, shaking his hand and describing the project as part of the PlayStation and Kojima Productions partnership. The announcement concluded with the camera pulling away to reveal a Columbia Pictures sign bearing the word Physint, underscoring the cinematic ambitions of the title. Columbia Pictures is owned by the Sony Group Corporation through Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Kojima has described Physint as both an interactive game and a movie at the same time. «It is a completely new action espionage for the next-generation,» he said when the project was revealed. «It will be created using cutting-edge technology and the best talents from around the world, both from film and video games.» He added that the look, story, theme, cast, acting, fashion and sound would operate at what he called the next level of digital entertainment.
The shift from PlayStation to Xbox is a notable coup for Microsoft, which has effectively taken a Kojima project away from Sony. Comparable first-party platform defections at the AAA level are rare, with the most frequently cited example being Final Fantasy's move from Nintendo to PlayStation during the original PlayStation era.
Physint remains a working title and much about the game is still unknown. Kojima said last year that the project was likely another five to six years away, though work appears to be ramping up. This week, fans were convinced that Batman actor Robert Pattinson will star in the game, following a series of cryptic teasers. Kojima last officially discussed Physint in September 2025 during a Kojima Productions tenth anniversary event.
