•Hideo Kojima recently posted photos on social media of himself visiting Sony’s headquarters in Japan while wearing a Joy Division T-shirt, prompting fans to speculate about the Metal Gear creator’s ongoing relationship with PlayStation following his studio’s move to Xbox.
The developer took to social media to post images showing him standing outside Sony City—also known as the Sony Corporate Office Building—in Tokyo. The visit carries significant context given recent developments surrounding Kojima Productions and its game, Physint.
Earlier this year, Sony dropped Physint, described as Kojima’s Metal Gear spiritual successor, leaving the developer searching for a new publisher. In an interview with IGN, Kojima revealed he feared for the future of his studio after Sony announced its decision via a Zoom call.
Kojima then pitched Physint to Microsoft and gaming executive Asha Sharma, who acquired the project along with its film and TV adaptation rights. Following the game’s move to Xbox, Bloomberg reported that Sony had concerns regarding the success of Kojima’s Death Stranding, as well as Physint’s development timeline, budget, and platform strategy.
Kojima Productions issued a statement in response, though it did not directly address Bloomberg’s reporting. “Make no mistake, this was a serious situation for the studio with a range of potentially significant implications,” the studio said. “While we recognise that the article may have caused alarm, we want to reassure you all, for the record: that the studio is in a healthy, profitable state, development for Physint continues to move forward with Xbox, and our relationship with PlayStation remains strong.”
In the IGN interview, Kojima insisted there was no ill will toward Sony. “… 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. I’ve been working with them for like 30 years… Mr. Ken Kutaragi, Mr. Hirai, I was close with them. But it’s not like that recently,” he said. “I realized that, okay, this is the reality. It’s the 10th anniversary of my studio. My studio might collapse, right?”
Kojima added that Sony did not provide a reason for canceling Physint nor contacted him since the decision was made. “But I’m not fighting with Sony,” he continued. “We’re not in a dispute. But what I want to say is that we’ve been together for 30 years and we have this relationship. So if this was the conclusion, I would’ve wanted to hear it a little earlier.” He noted his mind went blank at the June meeting: “It was more like, what should I do with my company? So that was what was on my mind at the time. I’ve always been a big Sony fan. I’ve been using a Walkman. All my cameras are Sony. So I have no bad feelings towards them.”
Four months later, Kojima is visiting Sony—prompting questions about whether the pair are working on a secret project or if more could come from Death Stranding. Fans have embraced the moment, noting Kojima’s Joy Division T-shirt and comparing the situation to Johnny Silverhand’s assault on Arasaka Tower in Cyberpunk 2077.
After Physint’s cancellation, speculation intensified about the game’s budget. In a recent New York Times profile of Asha Sharma, it was reported that Xbox may have negotiated a deal for less than you’d expect for a full-price, triple-A spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid.
Physint remains without a release window and is expected after the launch of OD, Kojima’s next video game for Xbox.
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