PlayStation dumping Kojima's Physint blamed on return to PS5 exclusives and planned PC port

Sony dropping support for Hideo Kojima’s Physint stunned the industry. Equally surprising was Xbox then acquiring the publishing rights. According to Bloomberg, PlayStation made the decision because of missed deadlines and inflated budgets. However, its shift back to PS5 exclusive games and away from PC ports also played a role.

Death Stranding disappointments? 

Jason Schreier’s sources attribute the move to “concerns over budget, potential profitability and exclusivity.” Despite critical acclaim and a devoted following, Death Stranding and Death Stranding 2 reportedly fell short of financial projections.

Kojima often strives for perfection during development cycles, which can threaten release dates. Several Metal Gear Solid titles fell behind schedule, causing Konami angst. That appears to be the case again with Physint, where PlayStation didn’t see enough signs of steady progress.

The Bloomberg journalist explains that the action-stealth experience had become increasingly expensive to produce. Also concerning to Sony, after a massive investment, it wouldn’t remain a PS5 or PS6 exclusive. An earlier Schreier report revealed that the console maker resolved to keep more single-player candidates locked to first-party hardware.

Exclusivity makes a comeback

Schreier expects fewer timed exclusives to become PC ports. Both Death Stranding and its sequel launched on PlayStation systems. The follow-up arrived on Steam 9 months following its PS5 release date and was published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. With Physint, the Kojima Productions-controlled project would have found another publisher, denying SIE additional revenue.

Xbox typically releases many of its games on multiple platforms and has a strong presence on PCs. Physint can now reach more players immediately, although its future on PlayStation consoles is in doubt.

The reasons discussed in the Bloomberg article are unlikely to appease a growing number of Sony’s critics. Already upset that it’s transitioning away from physical games in 2028, naysayers believe the company has become risk-averse. Instead of taking chances on new IPs, it prioritizes existing franchises and the lucrative live-service model.