Sony Steps Back from Kojima Productions’ Physint; Xbox Takes Over Publishing
- Sony “stepped away” from Kojima Productions’ Physint due to budget and profitability concerns.
- Kojima expressed his shock at the decision but holds no ill feelings towards Sony.
- Xbox has taken over publishing and is committed to supporting the game’s development.
Last week, reports confirmed that Sony had decided to “step away” from Kojima Productions’ previously PlayStation-exclusive game, Physint. This decision coincided with Xbox’s announcement to take over publishing responsibilities for the in-development title. A newly surfaced report attributed Sony’s shift to concerns regarding the game’s budget, potential profitability, and exclusivity.
In an interview with IGN, Hideo Kojima discussed the situation, expressing his astonishment during the call with Sony and revealing difficulties in recalling the details of the meeting. “I don’t remember so much of that meeting,” he stated, adding, “But, from my side, I love Sony. And I don’t have any bad feelings against them because I know that it’s a tough time in the game industry.”
Kojima highlighted that during the conversation, Sony communicated its inability to fund the game’s development any longer. He had previously believed that “Physint was OK, that Physint was safe,” despite ongoing closures and layoffs within the industry. Reflecting on his long-standing relationship with Sony, Kojima cited his close ties with former executives like Ken Kutaragi and Kaz Hirai, acknowledging a change in that dynamic.
Following Sony’s withdrawal, Xbox stepped in to support Kojima Productions. “I approached Xbox and they were great. They could support us technically,” Kojima explained, noting the existing collaboration on another title, OD. Kojima pitched Physint to Xbox, which responded positively, calling his proposal “fantastic” and unprecedented.
Kojima Productions later issued a statement addressing speculation from a Bloomberg article regarding their change in publishing partners. They emphasized their commitment to remaining transparent amid rumors and reassured fans that the studio is healthy and profitable, confirming that development on Physint is ongoing with Xbox’s support. The statement reiterated that their relationship with PlayStation remains intact.
Furthermore, an Xbox spokesperson expressed confidence in Kojima Productions, stating, “Betting on Kojima-san is an easy call. We believe in his team’s ability to build triple-A games with groundbreaking, new IP.” This partnership was also highlighted during Xbox’s TGS showcase, where Physint and OD were prominently featured.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
