Xbox to publish Hideo Kojima's Physint following PlayStation cancellation

Hideo Kojima’s upcoming action-espionage game, Physint, will now be published by Xbox after PlayStation Studios abruptly canceled its involvement with the project. The transition follows what Kojima described as an unexpected cancellation notice received in mid-June 2026, which prompted the developer to spend the subsequent three months searching for a new partner to keep the title in production.

Kojima Productions confirmed the shift on September 10, 2026, with the studio head stating that he found in Xbox a partner that shares a common vision for the future. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma expressed support for the collaboration, noting that the company is eager to work with Kojima on his ambition to challenge genre conventions. The move expands an existing relationship between the two entities, as Xbox was already slated to publish Kojima’s horror project, OD.

PlayStation, which previously published both of Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding titles, characterized the withdrawal as a difficult decision to step away from the project. Despite the cancellation, Sony stated that its broader relationship with the studio remains strong. The sudden change marks a significant departure from the project's initial 2024 announcement, which was presented with considerable fanfare by PlayStation Studios leadership.

Beyond the immediate gaming projects, the partnership between Xbox and Kojima Productions is set to extend into film and television. While specific details regarding these multimedia plans remain undisclosed, the studio has previously explored adaptations of its intellectual property. Physint is currently in development, though it is not expected to launch until at least 2030, and no official release date has been established for either Physint or OD.