PlayStation Allegedly Abandoned Kojima’s Game Over Budget Issues and Delays
Earlier this week, PlayStation revealed it would no longer be publishing Hideo Kojima’s upcoming project, Physint. Initially, the reasons behind this decision were unclear, but a recent report sheds light on the situation. It appears that the project’s budget was spiraling out of control, and the development team was struggling to meet deadlines. These issues, among others, prompted PlayStation to withdraw, allowing Xbox to step in and take over funding and publishing for the title.
According to sources familiar with the project, one significant factor in Sony’s decision was the underwhelming commercial performance of Death Stranding and its sequel, which failed to meet revenue expectations. Additionally, Physint was reportedly behind schedule and projected to exceed its budget. With years still needed for completion, the investment was becoming increasingly risky for Sony. Furthermore, PlayStation was hesitant to pour hundreds of millions into another title that, like Death Stranding, wouldn’t remain exclusive to their platform.
This news caught many off guard, given Kojima’s long-standing relationship with PlayStation. The Metal Gear Solid series has been a staple on the console for decades. After Kojima’s public split with Konami in 2015, it was PlayStation that provided the support for his next venture, which turned out to be Death Stranding. However, many of the PlayStation executives who had fostered a close relationship with Kojima have since left the company, and those who remain do not view investing in his next project as a wise decision.
On the other hand, Xbox and its new CEO, Asha Sharma, see Physint as a promising investment for several reasons. One key factor is the PC market. Sony is reportedly halting the release of PC ports for its major titles (except for those focused on online multiplayer), meaning they would miss out on potential revenue from Physint’s eventual PC release through another publisher. In contrast, Xbox plans to release all its games on PC, including Physint. The deal with Kojima also encompasses film and TV rights for both Physint and his other current project, the horror game OD, which is already under Xbox’s publishing umbrella.
“Betting on Kojima-san is an easy call,” an Xbox spokesperson stated. “We believe in his team’s ability to create AAA games with innovative new IP, and we have confidence in OD, Physint, and our expanding partnership.”
For PlayStation, the timing of this development is particularly unfortunate. The company is currently facing several challenges that have led to fan discontent. Their recent announcement to cease physical game production by 2028 has sparked significant backlash, evident in the comments on official PlayStation posts. Wolverine, their next major exclusive, has received mixed reviews from critics. Additionally, PlayStation has experienced a series of high-profile missteps and cancellations while attempting to establish successful live-service games, such as the short-lived Concord. Their handling of Bungie and Destiny 2 has also frustrated many fans, along with the closure of studios like Bluepoint. Thus, stepping away from Kojima’s next game, which is rumored to be a stealth action title reminiscent of Metal Gear, adds yet another layer of negative news to an already challenging situation.
