Publishing Deals
Ongoing coverage on Publishing Deals.
Latest coverage
Hyper Light studio Heart Machine lays off 'nearly everyone' after publisher deal for unannounced game falls…
Heart Machine, the developer behind Hyper Light Drifter, has laid off nearly its entire staff after a publisher deal for an unannounced game fell through. Studio founder Alx Preston described the situation as devastating, stating that the loss of this key income has forced the studio to let go of most employees. The studio will continue to seek a path forward, but its survival is uncertain.
Rapport: Sony släppte Physint pga. missade deadlines och budgetproblem
Sony has reportedly ended its collaboration with Kojima Productions on the upcoming spy game Physint due to missed deadlines and budget issues, with Xbox now set to publish the title. The decision was influenced by Death Stranding's sales not meeting expectations and Physint's projected cost and development timeline. Sony's stricter milestone enforcement following the Concord flop also contributed to the decision, alongside their shift away from releasing single-player games on PC.
New Report Says Sony Ditched Kojima Due To Missed Deadlines And Money Concerns
Sony reportedly canceled Hideo Kojima's new game, Physint, due to missed deadlines and budget concerns. Xbox has since stepped in to publish the title, a decision that has sparked discussion among fans regarding Sony's strategic choices.
PlayStation reportedly ditched Hideo Kojima’s Physint due to budget and sales concerns
Sony Interactive Entertainment has reportedly ended its publishing deal for Hideo Kojima's upcoming game, Physint, citing budget and sales concerns. The game, originally announced during a PlayStation event, will now be published by Xbox. This shift follows reports of Physint exceeding its budget and missing deadlines.
Physint Dropped by PlayStation Due to Missed Deadlines, Budgetary Concerns – Rumor
PlayStation has reportedly dropped publishing duties for Kojima Productions' upcoming game, Physint, due to significant budget concerns and missed deadlines. The espionage action title is said to be well over budget, with PlayStation hesitant to invest hundreds of millions. Despite this, Kojima Productions has secured a new publishing deal with Xbox, and development is ongoing.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Sold 2.5 Million Copies Across PC and PS5 – Analyst
An analyst report estimates Death Stranding 2: On the Beach sold 2.5 million copies across PC and PlayStation 5, generating $170 million. While the PS5 version sold 1.8 million copies, sales reportedly underperformed after an initial strong launch, with discounts impacting revenue. The original Death Stranding has sold 5 million copies since its 2019 release.
Xbox to publish Kojima Productions' Physint after PlayStation ditches project
PlayStation Studios has ended its publishing partnership with Kojima Productions for the espionage game Physint, citing a "difficult decision." Shortly after, Xbox announced it would pick up publishing duties for Physint, expanding its existing relationship with Kojima Productions which also includes the game OD - Knock. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma expressed honor in supporting Hideo Kojima's vision, while Kojima stated he sought a new partner after PlayStation's unexpected notice.
PlayStation Dropping Physint Has Fans Trying To Figure Out What Went Wrong
Sony has reportedly dropped Hideo Kojima's upcoming game Physint, leading to the project being picked up by Xbox and Microsoft for publishing. This decision has drawn criticism from fans and industry observers, who question Sony's strategy after investing in Kojima Productions. Physint, a spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid, is now expected to have a longer development cycle.
Hideo Kojima spy action game Physint switches publishing allegiance from PlayStation to Xbox, probably increasing the chances it'll hit PC
Hideo Kojima's upcoming action espionage game, Physint, has switched publishers from PlayStation to Xbox. PlayStation initially informed Kojima Productions they planned to cancel the project, leading to a three-month search for a new partner. Xbox will now publish Physint, increasing the likelihood of a PC release, though the move also brings awareness to ongoing boycotts against Microsoft.
Clutch Studio Encountered “Actually Offensive” Offers When Hunting For New Publisher
Maverick Games, the developer of the narrative racing game Clutch, has faced challenges finding a new publisher after Amazon Games dropped the title. COO Harinder Sangha stated that some publishers presented "offensive" and lopsided deals, attempting to take advantage of the independent studio. The game is set to release in Spring 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
"PlayStation has restored my access": Indie dev says their games will now "remain available" after Sony previously pulled their publishing deal without "any reason"
Indie developer Ternox Games has had its PlayStation developer account access restored after Sony previously terminated their publishing agreement without explanation. The studio's games, including the upcoming STONKS-9800, will remain available on the PlayStation Store, and Ternox Games will continue to release titles on the platform.
Xbox ends deal to fund and publish IO Interactive's Project Fantasy; redundancies expected
Xbox has ended its deal to fund and publish IO Interactive's online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy. This decision, attributed to Xbox reshaping its investment priorities, is expected to lead to redundancies at IO Interactive. Despite the setback, IO Interactive remains committed to releasing the game.
Xbox weighs closing Arkane Studios while pulling out of IO Interactive's next project
Xbox is reportedly considering closing Arkane Studios and cancelling Marvel's Blade due to development concerns. Additionally, Xbox has withdrawn funding and publishing support for IO Interactive's new fantasy project, codenamed 'Project Fantasy,' forcing the Danish studio to seek alternative arrangements. These moves are part of a broader restructuring by Xbox to refocus investments on its highest-priority titles and IPs.
IO Interactive warns of 'staffing decisions' as Xbox pulls out of deal to publish Project Fantasy
IO Interactive has announced that Xbox has withdrawn its partnership to publish and fund their online fantasy RPG, Project Fantasy. This decision may lead to short-term consequences for the developer, including potential staffing changes. The game was previously stated to be in a healthy development state as recently as May 2026.
RuneScape Dragonwilds is headed to several Asian territories thanks to ‘landmark’ publishing deals
Jagex has announced a landmark publishing deal that will bring RuneScape: Dragonwilds to Japan via Graph and to South Korea and Southeast Asia through H2 Interactive. The game is set to launch its 1.0 version on September 15th, which may also coincide with its expanded global release. The article also details ongoing early access development and planned fixes for various in-game issues.
IO Interactive Delighted About 007 First Light Performance, Explains Development Budget
IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak expressed delight over 007 First Light selling 3 million copies in its first week, exceeding expectations. He confirmed the game's reported $200 million budget includes development, marketing, and bonuses, though not solely the product cost. Future sequels will be published by Amazon Game Studios.
IO Interactive Won't Self-Publish Future James Bond Games; Amazon Will Have More Control
IO Interactive will not self-publish future James Bond games, with Amazon and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer set to take over publishing duties for titles like 007 First Light. This marks a shift in the franchise's publishing strategy, giving Amazon and MGM more control over the series.
Hasbro cancel Dungeons and Dragons action game helmed by Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order director, leaving studio hunting for new publishing deal
Hasbro has canceled the publishing of a Dungeons and Dragons action game developed by Giant Skull, led by former Star Wars Jedi director Stig Asmussen. The decision was made earlier this year after reviewing an early concept, leaving Giant Skull to seek a new publishing partner. Hasbro stated they value their ongoing relationship with Asmussen and his team.
Dungeons & Dragons Game by Giant Skull Has Been Cancelled
Hasbro, through its subsidiary Wizards of the Coast, has cancelled a Dungeons & Dragons game being developed by Giant Skull due to the termination of their publishing deal. Industry veteran Stig Asmussen, founder of Giant Skull, confirmed the cancellation and is seeking new publishing partners. The game was not intended to be a successor to the Baldur's Gate franchise.
CI Games and Epic Games terminate Lords of the Fallen II publishing deal
CI Games and Epic Games have terminated their publishing deal for Lords of the Fallen II. The agreement, originally signed in June 2024, granted Epic exclusive PC distribution rights for the game's entire lifecycle. Lords of the Fallen II is still slated for a 2026 release on console and PC platforms.
