Kojima Productions has issued one of its most forceful public clarifications in years, directly addressing a wave of speculation triggered by a recent Bloomberg report about Physint and its shift from PlayStation to Xbox. The studio’s statement, published on its official X account (@KojiPro2015_EN), rejects the claims circulating about its relationship with Sony, the commercial performance of Death Stranding, and the internal state of Physint’s development—calling the report “unsubstantiated” and urging fans to treat it “with a dose of scepticism.”
Kojima Productions Pushes Back Against Bloomberg’s Claims
The controversy began when Bloomberg reported that Sony allegedly dropped Physint due to Death Stranding underperforming financially and the new project missing deadlines and running over budget. According to Bloomberg’s unnamed sources, these factors contributed to PlayStation’s decision to halt funding.
Kojima Productions’ public response directly challenges that narrative. In its statement, the studio emphasizes that:
- None of the claims came from official or on‑the‑record sources.
- The speculation has “touched our fans, our creative partners, and colleagues we have worked alongside with for three decades.”
- The studio remains profitable, healthy, and actively developing Physint with Xbox.
- Its relationship with PlayStation “remains strong.”
This is a rare moment of transparency from Kojima Productions, which typically avoids commenting on rumors. The tone of the statement makes clear that the Bloomberg report struck a nerve—enough for the studio to break its usual silence.
Hideo Kojima’s Personal Reaction
Separate reporting from The Gamer reveals Kojima’s own emotional response. In an interview with IGN, he described Sony’s decision to stop funding Physint as a shock:
“They said they can no longer fund development of Physint. I was shocked… I couldn’t quite process what they had said.”
Despite the surprise, Kojima reiterated that he holds no ill will toward Sony, acknowledging the broader industry turbulence and reaffirming his affection for the company.
The Xbox Factor
The shift to Xbox has become a focal point of industry conversation. Microsoft has embraced the partnership publicly—so publicly, in fact, that Xbox CEO Asha Sharma left a message on the Kojima Productions office wall:
“To invention and adventure together with XBOX.”
This symbolic gesture underscores how aggressively Xbox is positioning Physint as a prestige acquisition, especially at a time when Sony faces criticism for its live‑service strategy, physical media retreat, and recent first‑party missteps.
What Sources Kojima Is Referring To
In its official statement, Kojima Productions does not name Bloomberg directly—but the context makes the reference unmistakable. The studio is responding to:
- Bloomberg’s report alleging financial underperformance, missed deadlines, and budget overruns tied to Physint.
- Online speculation amplified by the Bloomberg article and subsequent social media discourse.
No other major outlet published claims matching the description in the studio’s statement, confirming Bloomberg as the primary source Kojima Productions is pushing back against.
Why This Matters
This moment marks a significant inflection point in Kojima Productions’ public communication strategy. The studio is defending not only its reputation but also its long‑standing creative relationship with PlayStation—while simultaneously embracing a new era with Xbox.
The message is clear: Physint is alive, the studio is stable, and the narrative circulating about its fallout with Sony is not to be taken at face value.
