Hideo Kojima’s next major project, *Physint*, has ignited considerable excitement among gaming enthusiasts, yet it remains several years from hitting the market. As devotees gear up for *Death Stranding 2*, Kojima is simultaneously juggling this title alongside an intriguing Xbox horror experience called *OD*.
Though his ambitions extend into the realm of filmmaking, Kojima underscores his commitment to video games as his primary focus. “Aside from *Death Stranding 2*, *Physint* is currently in development,” Kojima shared during an exclusive interview with *Le Film Français*. “It’s likely to take another five or six years. Once that’s done, I might finally turn my attention to directing a film” (ResetEra).
Kojima elaborated, “My love for cinema has always been a part of me. Should I choose to direct, I want it to be a tribute to that art form while I still have the energy and creativity.” Now, at 61 years old, the timeline suggests that *Physint* might not debut until he’s in his late 60s. A move into film could realistically push back his debut until he’s well into his 70s.
This begs the question of whether *Physint* could launch on the forthcoming PlayStation console. Leaked documents from 2022 suggested that the PlayStation 6 may not arrive until at least 2027, leaving room for even further delays.
Kojima first unveiled *Physint* in January 2024, touting it as “the third original IP since the inception of Kojima Productions.” He describes it as a groundbreaking “Action Espionage” game tailored for next-gen platforms, igniting speculation that it may compete with *Metal Gear*, the franchise that has become synonymous with Kojima’s illustrious career.
*Death Stranding 2* is already showcasing elements reminiscent of *Metal Gear*, with enriched combat systems and thematically dense storytelling. During a recent preview, Kojima revealed that fan enthusiasm for a new *Metal Gear* entry significantly influenced the conceptualization of *Physint*. “I have a plethora of innovative ideas,” he said. “However, after the health challenges I faced during the pandemic, it became clear just how much fans wanted a new *Metal Gear* installment. This drove me to develop a fresh espionage adventure, which I presented to Sony. They were extremely supportive, and we eventually agreed to move forward with *Physint*.”
Despite external pressures, Kojima is unwavering in his artistic integrity. He admitted to being uninterested in simply catering to mainstream audiences. “While Sony is thrilled with the positive reception of *Death Stranding 2*, I secretly yearn for a bit more controversy. Mainstream games often strive for an 80% approval rating—my ambitions extend far beyond that. I’m not concerned with mass-market reception or selling millions; that’s not my primary objective.”
