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Reports suggest Xbox paid far less for Kojima’s Physint
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
Multiple industry sources have contradicted initial reports of a $400 million budget for Xbox's deal to acquire and publish Hideo Kojima's action-espionage game Physint. The revised figures matter because they suggest Xbox is paying significantly less than the amount originally claimed, indicating a more cautious investment than the headline number implied.
Christopher Dring, who originally reported figures ranging from $300 million to $600 million, later clarified that Xbox is paying "quite a bit less" than the upper end. Bloomberg's Jason Schreier described Microsoft's negotiated figure as "significantly less", whilst Windows Central reported it as merely a "fraction" of the $400 million—though no precise amount has been disclosed. Physint, a spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid originally planned with Sony, transferred to Xbox after Sony withdrew funding due to budget overruns and missed deadlines; the deal includes publishing rights, film and television licensing, and improved funding for Kojima's horror project OD.
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In short
- Xbox's actual Physint budget is far less than the widely-reported $400 million figure
- The revised investment reflects a more cautious approach than initial reports suggested
- Deal includes publishing, film/TV licensing rights, and funds for Kojima's horror game OD
How this story developed
- 2 months ago Updated reporting clarifies that Xbox's agreed funding more closely aligns with Kojima's original budget proposal to Sony than with the $400 million headline figure initially in circulation.
- 2 months ago Investigation now reveals that the $400 million figure originated from Kojima's budget request to Sony, which withdrew its backing in June after the project exceeded costs and missed deadlines.
- 2 months ago Bloomberg's Jason Schreier has further confirmed that Microsoft's negotiated amount falls significantly below the initially circulated figure.
- 2 months ago Christopher Dring is revealed as the source of original estimates ranging from $300 to $600 million, and has since clarified that Xbox's actual expenditure is substantially less, with Windows Central confirming that the payment represents merely a fraction of the widely reported figure.
- 2 months ago Reports indicate Xbox is paying substantially less than the widely publicised $400 million for Hideo Kojima's Physint, following Sony's withdrawal from the project after budget overruns and missed deadlines.
Explained simply
Hideo Kojima is one of video gaming's most famous creators, best known for making the Metal Gear Solid series. Major game publishers highly value working with him, making him one of the industry's most sought-after talents.
Physint, a new game Kojima was developing, originally received funding from Sony. The project ran into significant budget and scheduling problems, leading Sony to withdraw its backing, leaving the game without a publisher.
Xbox stepped in to fund and publish Physint, in a deal that also includes film and television rights. The arrangement additionally provides improved contract terms for OD, another game project from Kojima, highlighting how major companies compete for partnerships with prominent game creators.
Coverage · 3 sources
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Eurogamer as “Xbox is reportedly paying a “fraction” of the $400 million Kojima quoted Sony for Physint”.