Hideo Kojima contacted Xbox for Physint funding after PlayStation split
- Game creator Hideo Kojima has spoken publicly for the first time about his studio's split with PlayStation over the development of Physint, revealing that he initiated contact with...
- And it's likely my colleagues don't remember either, so I really couldn't tell you if you ask me what they said exactly.
- Hideo Kojima Kojima noted that nothing could have prepared him for the studio's decision to drop the project.
Game creator Hideo Kojima has spoken publicly for the first time about his studio’s split with PlayStation over the development of Physint, revealing that he initiated contact with Xbox to secure funding after Sony walked away from the project. The disagreement between PlayStation and Kojima Productions regarding Physint left the studio scrambling after a relationship between the director and Sony executives came to an abrupt halt. Kojima recounted the critical meeting in an interview with IGN, explaining that he and his team were entirely unprepared for the decision.
For to be sincere, I don’t remember much of that meeting. And it’s likely my colleagues don’t remember either, so I really couldn’t tell you if you ask me what they said exactly. But, for my part, I adore Sony. And I have nothing against them, because I know that these are difficult times for the video game industry.
Hideo Kojima Kojima noted that nothing could have prepared him for the studio’s decision to drop the project. Having worked closely with leaders like Ken Kutaragi and Hirai over a span of roughly 30 years, the sudden shift signaled a stark change in reality for the veteran developer.
Nothing could have prepared me for their decision to step away from the project. So I thought, ‘What am I going to do starting tomorrow?’ I’ve been working with them for about 30 years… Mr. Ken Kutaragi, Mr. Hirai… I had a close relationship with them. But lately things are no longer like that. I realized that, well, this is the reality I face. It’s the tenth anniversary of my studio. My studio could fall apart, right?
Hideo KojimaThe Shock of Cancellation and Turning to Xbox
The creator of Metal Gear and Death Stranding explained that executives informed him that they could no longer finance the development of Physint. The news left him in a state of disbelief, assuming the title was safe despite broader industry trends of studio closures and cancellations.
They told me they could no longer fund the development of Physint. I was stunned and asked them ‘What did you just say?’ I couldn’t process what they had told me. I wasn’t sure I had understood it right because I was in a state of shock. Anyway, I know there’s a lot of news in the video game industry about the closure of many studios and the cancellation of many titles, and I understand the situation of the sector as a whole. But I thought Physint was fine. That Physint was safe. So I was surprised. But not only was I surprised. We didn’t understand the reason.
Hideo Kojima Faced with the potential collapse of his studio, Kojima took the initiative to approach Xbox. Having already collaborated with them on the horror title OD, an established working relationship was already in place.
I contacted Xbox and they were wonderful. They could support us technically. Besides, we had already been working with them on OD, so we already had a relationship. I made a full presentation of Physint to them. And their first reaction was something like: ‘This presentation has been fantastic! We have never seen a presentation like this!’ And that’s how it started with Xbox.
Hideo KojimaCurrent Status and Timeline for Physint
Following those initial pitches, negotiations between Kojima Productions and Xbox resulted in an agreement where Xbox will serve as the publisher for Physint. Kojima noted that the transition was communicated internally to staff prior to public announcements, meeting with a calm and positive reaction from the team.
And since then we have been negotiating with Xbox. The Physint team still exists and we are still experimenting with the game. Before yesterday’s announcement, we communicated it internally to all staff, and the reaction was quite calm. Everyone took it very well. So that was also a pleasant surprise. Internally, the situation is calm. The reaction was like: ‘Ah, we can keep working on it, great! Okay.’
Hideo Kojima Today, Kojima Productions employs approximately 200 workers. Half of the studio’s personnel are assigned to Physint, while the remaining 50 percent focus on OD, the horror project also being developed in collaboration with Xbox that is expected to launch first. While Physint currently lacks an official release date, realistic industry projections place its arrival around 2030 or 2031.