Kojima’s Physint revealed to feature classic bipedal mech designs

New details about Hideo Kojima’s upcoming action-espionage project, Physint, have surfaced from the “Beyond the Strand” 10th-anniversary exhibition in Tokyo. As reported by Polygon, the exhibition features internal materials and models that clarify the game’s ties to the stealth-action genre that defined much of Kojima’s career.

The Metal Gear connection

Among the items on display is a physical model of a bipedal robot that bears a striking resemblance to the eponymous war machines from the Metal Gear Solid franchise. The exhibition also showcased a second, more alien-looking “walker” mech, which Polygon notes shares design DNA with the technology seen in the Death Stranding series. These reveals align with Kojima’s previous statements that Physint represents the culmination of his creative career, blending elements from his past work with his return to the espionage genre.

Decoding the name

Visitors also caught a glimpse of internal documents referencing “Physint,” a term that echoes real-world intelligence-collection jargon like Humint (human intelligence) or Sigint (signals intelligence). While some speculate the title refers to “Physical intelligence,” the documents suggest the game will lean into a “new Cold War” narrative. The project features an ensemble cast, including Bill Skarsgård—whose character is depicted in various disguises in exhibition statues—alongside Charlee Fraser, Ma Dong-seok, and Minami Hamabe.

Development status

According to Polygon, Physint is currently moving forward under Microsoft’s wing after Sony Interactive Entertainment withdrew funding in September 2026 due to budget concerns. Despite this, the game is not currently the studio’s primary focus. Kojima Productions is currently prioritizing the horror title OD, which is slated for release between 2027 and 2028.

Why it matters

For fans of classic stealth-action games, Physint serves as a spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid. Since Konami retains the rights to the original franchise, these new mechanical designs represent the closest experience to a new Metal Gear game that creator Hideo Kojima can produce.

Players should keep an eye on future updates as the studio shifts its attention from their horror project, OD, back toward the full development of Physint. While the game’s transition to Xbox funding has been confirmed, its status as a multi-year project means that the specific release window remains a detail to watch for as the studio clears its existing development pipeline.