Physint
News, coverage and analysis tracking Physint across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Xbox Is Paying A Lot Less Than Normal For Kojima’s Physint, Possibly Under $200 Million – Report
Xbox is reportedly paying significantly less than typical for Hideo Kojima's new game, Physint, with figures possibly under $200 million, a stark contrast to earlier rumors of a $400 million Sony deal. Sony reportedly dropped the project due to budget and delays, while Xbox's agreement also includes film and TV rights. This deal, along with the horror game OD, marks a new publishing partnership between Xbox and Kojima.
Physint Deal is “Substantially Below” Developing a Premium Game, Says Xbox CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company's deal for Kojima Productions' Physint is substantially below the typical cost of developing a premium game, contradicting speculation about massive budgets. This comes after Sony reportedly dropped its publishing deal due to the game's high costs and missed deadlines, with reports suggesting Xbox's deal is a fraction of the rumored $400 million. Hideo Kojima expressed surprise at Sony's decision, while acknowledging ongoing development and potential technological support from Xbox.
"Xbox is not for sale": CEO Asha Sharma says "we will do whatever it takes" to turn the console maker's fortunes around
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has stated that the company is not for sale, despite significant internal restructuring and studio layoffs. She affirmed a commitment to doing "whatever it takes" to ensure Xbox's success. Separately, Rockstar Games detailed advancements in Grand Theft Auto 6's weather system, promising dynamic cloudscapes and localized, persistent weather effects.
Microsoft's Deal for Hideo Kojima's Physint 'Substantially Below What Xbox Would Typically Spend to Develop a Premium Game'
Microsoft's deal for Hideo Kojima's upcoming game, Physint, is reportedly significantly less than what Xbox typically invests in premium game development. This suggests a potentially different financial arrangement for the project.
PHYSINT Reportedly Alters Budgets Following Xbox Switch
Reports suggest that Hideo Kojima's new Xbox game, Physint, has a significantly smaller budget than initially rumored, potentially around $150 million, compared to the $400 million figure speculated for Sony's involvement. This comes amid Xbox's efforts to improve its image and Sony's struggles with live-service titles, with sources indicating Physint is behind schedule.
Hideo Kojima's Physint isn't costing Xbox $400 million after all, with new reports suggesting the Metal Gear successor's actual budget is "significantly less"
New reports suggest that Xbox's deal for Hideo Kojima's upcoming game Physint is significantly less than the rumored $400 million. While Sony reportedly canceled the game, Xbox has picked it up for publishing. Despite ongoing rumors about budget concerns, sources indicate the actual cost is much lower, though still substantial for a AAA title.
Industry insiders and Tokyo gossip suggest Kojima is getting less money from Xbox than original PlayStation budget for…
Industry insiders suggest Hideo Kojima's new game, Physint, is being developed with Microsoft for a significantly lower budget than originally planned with Sony. While initial reports suggested figures up to $400 million, sources indicate Xbox's deal is for a 'fraction' of that amount, potentially impacting development conditions. The article also touches on rumors of a third Kojima project and the potential involvement of actors like Robert Pattinson.
Xbox is reportedly paying a "fraction" of the $400 million Kojima quoted Sony for Physint
Reports indicate that Xbox is paying significantly less than the rumored $400 million for Hideo Kojima's upcoming stealth game, Physint. Sony reportedly withdrew funding after budget and deadline issues, leading Kojima Productions to secure a deal with Xbox, which includes movie and TV licensing rights.
Physint Cost Xbox “A Fraction” of Alleged $400 Million Budget – Rumor
Reports suggest that Xbox's deal with Kojima Productions for the game Physint is significantly less than the rumored $400 million figure that PlayStation was reportedly considering. While the exact cost for Xbox is described as a 'fraction' of that amount, the deal may include enhanced terms for Hideo Kojima's horror title OD. The article also touches on previous reports of missed deadlines and the project's distant release window.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma called out for "Kojima-maxxing" just before latest layoffs, former Age of Empires studio…
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is facing criticism following recent layoffs, particularly after a publicized trip to Japan to visit Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions. Former World's Edge studio head Shannon Loftis called out Sharma's "Kojima-maxxing" trip and "clarity is kindness" philosophy in light of the job cuts, suggesting leadership is out of touch with employees' struggles. The article highlights the perceived disconnect between leadership's actions and the ongoing restructuring and layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division.
The Xbox reset doesn't have an end date | Opinion
The ongoing Xbox business reset, initiated by CEO Asha Sharma, has extended far beyond its initial 100-day target with no clear end date or vision. The extensive layoffs and studio closures, including the likely shuttering of Ninja Theory, have created an atmosphere of instability and uncertainty, raising questions about Microsoft's long-term strategy for the Xbox brand.
Does Microsoft really want to save Xbox or have they already given up?
Microsoft's recent wave of job cuts within Xbox, affecting hundreds of developers, raises serious questions about the company's commitment to its gaming division. The article suggests these layoffs, coupled with studio restructuring and a lack of clear hardware strategy, indicate a potential winding down of Xbox's ambitions, possibly leading to its eventual sale as a third-party publisher.
Xbox reportedly set to announce second round of layoffs this week
Xbox is reportedly preparing for a second round of layoffs this week as part of an ongoing restructuring that includes consolidating several of its game studios. This follows an earlier round of 1,600 redundancies and the divestment of five studios. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cited spreading resources too thin and fragmentation as reasons for the changes, aiming for future growth.
Evening Reading - September 21, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including reviews for Silent Hill: Townfall and Samurai Pizza Cats, a look at World of Warcraft: Forever, and a delay for Blighted. The article also touches on AMD's market cap milestone, Bungie's plans for Destiny, and Sony's push for digital-only sales.
Hideo Kojima says Xbox had "never seen" anything like Physint, which is impressive considering it was the only publisher that didn't think his OD pitch was "crazy"
Hideo Kojima stated that Xbox was highly enthusiastic about his pitch for the new action espionage game Physint, describing it as something they had never seen before. This comes after Sony reportedly dropped the project. Kojima highlighted Xbox's technical and marketing support as crucial for the game's development, noting their existing connection through the OD project.
Kojima Productions' survival story may sound strikingly familiar to struggling devs
Hideo Kojima revealed that Kojima Productions faced a significant funding crisis for its game Physint after Sony Interactive Entertainment withdrew support. The studio secured a new deal with Microsoft's Xbox, avoiding layoffs and continuing development. This situation highlights the broader financial struggles and funding challenges faced by many developers in the current industry climate.
Physint Is Biggest-Selling Game Kojima Could Ever Make, He Says
Hideo Kojima's new espionage game, Physint, has moved from Sony to Xbox after reports of budget overruns and missed deadlines. Kojima believes Physint has significant commercial appeal and is the biggest-selling title he could create, inspired by fan demand for Metal Gear. The game is still in the concept phase, with a small team working on its systems and design.
Hideo Kojima doesn't know if Physint will be released on PS5, and he hasn't decided if it's going to use Sony's Decima game engine
Hideo Kojima has revealed that the platform release for his upcoming game Physint is undecided, with the decision resting with Xbox, who are now publishing the title after Sony's withdrawal. Kojima is also still experimenting with game engines for Physint, considering Xbox's technological support and the possibility of using Unreal Engine 5, despite previous use of Sony's Decima engine for Death Stranding.
Hideo Kojima Doesn’t Know If Physint Will Be Xbox Exclusive
Hideo Kojima has stated that he does not know if his new spy game, Physint, will be exclusive to Xbox, despite Sony reportedly dropping the title. Xbox is now publishing the game, and Kojima mentioned Microsoft's ambition to reach the largest possible audience. Physint, along with Kojima's horror game OD, are both in early development with no release dates announced.
Kojima says his Sony split was amicable and they both still love us very much
Kojima Productions has issued a statement to address rumors about the development of their upcoming game, Physint, and their relationships with Sony and Xbox. The studio confirmed that while their relationship with Sony remains strong, the development of Physint is continuing with Xbox, and they are in a healthy, profitable state.
