Xbox Steps Up to Publish Kojima Productions’ Physint After PlayStation Backs Away

Xbox has taken over publishing of Physint, the action espionage game in development at Kojima Productions, after PlayStation Studios stepped away from the project. PlayStation announced its exit on September 9, 2026, and Xbox confirmed on the same day that it would publish the game instead.

How Physint got here

Physint was first revealed in January 2024 during a PlayStation State of Play, presented as a new original project from Hideo Kojima, the creator of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding. Kojima has described it as an attempt to blend the interactive elements of games with the presentation of film and television, with a focus on espionage and stealth. Gameplay details are still limited, and Kojima said in 2025 that the game was several years away from release.

PlayStation gave little explanation for its decision, saying it had made “the difficult decision to step away” while keeping “great admiration for Hideo Kojima’s vision.” According to Kojima, the notice came unexpectedly, and the studio spent around three months looking for a new publishing partner before settling on Xbox.

The exit is unusual because Physint was one of the headline reveals of that 2024 showcase and was widely seen as a flagship PlayStation partnership, following Sony’s close work with Kojima Productions on Death Stranding and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Sony has not said whether the decision was about budget, timing or strategy, and the company has not commented further beyond its short statement.

What the Xbox deal covers

The agreement goes beyond one game. Xbox was already working with Kojima Productions on OD, the studio’s horror project, and the expanded partnership also covers film and television collaboration. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said “creators have choices about where and how they bring their ideas to life,” adding that Xbox was honoured Kojima had chosen it. Kojima said the studio found in Xbox “a partner with whom we share a common vision.”

Neither company has given a full platform list or a release window for Physint. Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal also comes during a difficult period for Xbox, which has been cutting jobs and has pulled back from several external publishing projects over the past year, making the Physint commitment a notable exception.

Why it matters

For PlayStation owners, the change raises real uncertainty. A game that began life as a PlayStation project now sits with a rival publisher, and it is not yet clear whether Physint will reach PlayStation 5 or its successor. Kojima has said only that platform decisions are for Xbox to announce.

For Xbox, landing a new Kojima project adds a high-profile creative name to its lineup at a time when it needs momentum. For players, the practical takeaway is patience: Physint remains a long-term project, and the platform picture will likely become clearer only once Xbox shows more of the game.