Kojima Productions says Sony relationship “remains strong” after PHYSINT split

Kojima Productions has reassured fans that its relationship with PlayStation “remains strong” after Sony ended its involvement in Hideo Kojima’s upcoming game PHYSINT.

The studio issued a statement addressing speculation surrounding the split, while also confirming that it remains profitable and that development of the game is moving forward under Xbox.

Kojima Productions responds to PHYSINT speculation

Sony announced in a September 10 X post that it had decided to step away from PHYSINT, ending its involvement with the action-espionage game first announced alongside Kojima Productions in 2024.

Kojima subsequently revealed that PlayStation Studios had informed the developer in mid-June that it intended to cancel the project. Kojima Productions then spent around three months searching for a new publishing partner before reaching an agreement with Xbox.

Reports published shortly after the announcement claimed Sony had concerns surrounding PHYSINT’s budget, missed deadlines, potential profitability, and its lack of permanent PlayStation exclusivity.

The report also claimed the commercial performance of Death Stranding and Death Stranding 2 was a major factor in Sony’s decision, citing people familiar with the project.

Kojima Productions has now addressed the speculation, stressing that the claims did not come from official or on-the-record sources.

“Normally, we would not comment on unsubstantiated speculation on the internet, but these aspersions around our relationship with PlayStation, the commercial performance of the DEATH STRANDING franchise, and the broader production planning and investment for PHYSINT, have reached beyond the studio and have touched our fans, our creative partners, and colleagues we have worked alongside with for three decades,” it said.

“None of the claims written came from any official or on-the-record source, and as such we encourage you to take them with a dose of scepticism.”

The developer acknowledged that losing PlayStation as PHYSINT’s publisher was a “serious situation” that could have had major consequences for the company.

However, it sought to reassure fans over its current position, adding: “The studio is in a healthy, profitable state, development for PHYSINT continues to move forward with XBOX, and our relationship with PlayStation remains strong.”

Kojima himself has also spoken about Sony’s decision in a new interview with The Washington Post, saying he was “shocked and surprised” when the company pulled its funding and initially feared for the future of the studio.

However, Kojima also stated that there was no ongoing dispute between his studio and Sony. “We’re not in dispute. We’re not fighting with them.”