Physint: Xbox Paying a Fraction of $400 Million for Kojima's Project
By Indie Kings | October 24, 2026
A reported $400 million Kojima budget for Physint is already being walked back. Multiple outlets now say Xbox is paying only a "fraction" of what Kojima originally quoted Sony, after a string of corrections in one day.
Image: Physint TGS broadcast artwork via Eurogamer.
What Physint is
Physint is Hideo Kojima Productions' action-espionage title and spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid. It was originally announced as a PlayStation first, but Sony backpedaled in June, opening the door for Microsoft to pick up funding and publishing. The title keeps the Metal Gear Solid DNA in design while moving into a tactical espionage framework.
$400M claim and corrections
| Outlet / Source | Claim |
|---|---|
| Christopher Dring (The Game Business podcast, September 25) | Xbox signing Kojima for Physint at roughly $400 million |
| Christopher Dring (X/Twitter clarification, same day) | "significantly less than this" |
| Windows Central's Jez Corden | Xbox is paying only a "fraction" of it |
None of the cited outlets reported an actual negotiated figure. The correction itself matters more than the specific number: the headline rate was based on a secondhand report, then retracted from its top line within days.
The deal including licensing
The deal with Xbox includes movie and TV licensing rights for Physint, plus improved terms for Kojima's other in-development project, a horror title previously planned around Death Stranding's creative. Kojima has not confirmed when release details will drop, saying "I think all of that will be announced at a later time. I'm not sure yet, and I can't really say."
FAQ
What is Physint?
An action-espionage title by Kojima Productions, described as a spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid.
Was there a public quote for $400 million?
Christopher Dring reported on his podcast that Xbox was signing Kojima for Physint at a budget around $400 million, then retracted over the same day.
What is Xbox paying now?
According to Windows Central and Dring himself, significantly less than the original figure; some sources say only a "fraction" of $400 million.
Does the deal include media rights?
Yes, including movie and TV licensing for Physint.
Has Kojima confirmed the amount?
No; he said the release details are still unannounced.
What is Kojima's other project?
The deal also carries improved terms for Kojima's separate in-development horror project.
Bottom Line
Physint has survived Sony's withdrawal, but not the budget headline. A $400 million figure appeared on one outlet's podcast, dropped almost immediately, and was followed by the phrase "fraction" on Windows Central. The corrected narrative is Microsoft funding Kojima's Metal Gear spiritual successor, but at whatever negotiated price Microsoft actually selected.
Sources
- Eurogamer: Xbox is reportedly paying a "fraction" of the $400 million Kojima quoted Sony for Physint, accessed 24 October 2026
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