Microsoft announced on September 9 that Xbox will publish Physint, the action-espionage game in development at Kojima Productions, taking over a project Sony unveiled as a PlayStation-backed title in 2024. Xbox Wire presented the change as an expansion of the existing relationship between the two companies, which already covers the horror game OD.
In a statement posted on X, Hideo Kojima said the switch followed a cancellation on Sony's side. "As confirmed earlier through our official channels, in mid-June of this year, we unexpectedly received notice from PlayStation Studios that they would cancel the Physint project," he wrote, adding that the studio spent the following three months "searching tirelessly for a new partner" and found in Xbox "a partner with whom we share a common vision for the future." He told players that development of Physint "is ongoing and will continue moving forward."
PlayStation Studios gave its own account without explaining the decision, Video Games Chronicle reported. "After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to step away from collaborating with Kojima Productions on its project Physint," the company said in a post on X, adding that it continues "to have great admiration for Hideo Kojima's vision for the game" and that the relationship "remains strong after three decades of industry-leading, genre-defining creative cooperation."
“Creators have choices about where and how they bring their ideas to life. We’re honored that Kojima-san has chosen Xbox to work with Kojima Productions on Physint,” Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said in the announcement. “His ambition to challenge conventions reflects the kind of creativity we want to support at Xbox.” Sharma called the deal “a big moment for Xbox” in a post on X, Video Games Chronicle reported.
This expands our relationship with Xbox beyond OD. As we move forward with the development of Physint, we remain committed to redefining the action-espionage genre for players around the world.
Xbox will continue to publish Kojima Productions' horror game OD, and Xbox Wire said the partnership will extend past games into film and television. IGN reported that OD is due out before Physint.
Physint was originally announced at Sony's 2024 State of Play broadcast, where PlayStation Studios boss Hermen Hulst appeared alongside Kojima and said the pair would work together “as part of the PlayStation and Kojima Productions partnership.” Hulst added that Sony would “fully support” the project “with the latest innovations Sony has to offer.” The segment closed with the camera pulling back from a Columbia Pictures sign carrying the Physint name; Columbia Pictures is owned by Sony Group Corporation through Sony Pictures Entertainment.
According to IGN, Sharma — who replaced the retiring Phil Spencer earlier in 2026 — made Kojima a priority in a wider reset of the Xbox business, a restructuring that has included thousands of job losses, studios going independent and cancelled projects. That reset also covers a return to console exclusives, beginning with Gears of War: E-Day in 2026 and continuing with Clockwork Revolution in 2027. IGN reported in July 2026 that OD was not affected by the cuts.
Physint remains a working title and little about the game has been detailed. “Of course, it is an interactive game, but it is also a movie at the same time,” Kojima said when the project was first announced, describing it as “a completely new ‘Action Espionage’ for the next-generation” built with talent drawn from both film and games. Kojima said in 2025 that the game was likely another five to six years away.