Hideo Kojima confirm setback due the SAG-AFTRA Strikes

Saying good-bye to 2024, Hideo Kojima revealed that the development of his highly anticipated games, OD and Physint, has been internally delayed due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strikes. Of course, this development is going to left fans eagerly awaiting updates on these more or less mysterious projects and probably the wait could be longer than expected.

Thank you for all your support in 2024. It was a year full of many things: DS2 development, the release of our second trailer, ADR for the actors, music production and recording, Japanese voice recording. In the summer, we started to play and build up the game. We were also able… pic.twitter.com/rozzqtCsPH
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) December 31, 2024

For a reminder and starting with OD, short for “Overdose,” is an upcoming horror game developed by Kojima Productions in collaboration with filmmaker Jordan Peele.

The game aims to explore the concept of testing one’s fear threshold and what it means to “OD” on fear.

The project was first announced during an Xbox event and is expected to be an Xbox exclusive. The game stars notable actors like Sophia Lillis, Hunter Schafer, and Udo Kier, but unfortunately, the SAG-AFTRA strike has halted the scanning and filming processes, causing delays in the game’s development.

As for Physint, or a play of the words “physical intelligence,” is an upcoming stealth action game being developed by Kojima Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment.

This game marks Kojima’s return to the action espionage genre since his acclaimed Metal Gear series.

The project is described as a “next-generation action espionage game” and aims to blur the lines between cinema and video gaming. The collaboration with Sony hints at a deep integration of resources, including Columbia Pictures.

However, the SAG-AFTRA strike has also impacted the casting process for Physint, leading to further delays.

Despite these setbacks, Kojima remains optimistic about resuming work on both games in 2025. Fans of Kojima’s innovative storytelling and unique game design can look forward to more updates as the situation progresses.

The SAG-AFTRA strikes have had a significant impact on the gaming industry. The strike, which began on July 26, 2024, was called after more than 18 months of unsuccessful negotiations with some of the largest video game companies.

The main issues at stake include consent, compensation, and transparency around the use of AI in video games.