During the Tokyo Game Show 2026, Hideo Kojima made a major announcement regarding his two ongoing projects, OD and Physint, though As part of the event’s Xbox livestream, Kojima confirmed that Microsoft has taken over the publishing rights for Physint, previously held by Sony. The shift came after Sony reportedly stepped back from the project due to concerns over budget, potential profitability, and exclusivity, according to Eurogamer.de; Kojima also revealed that Bill Skarsgård, known for his role as Pennywise in the It film series, will portray the protagonist in Physint.

Bill Skarsgård Cast as Lead in Physint

Bill Skarsgård joined the project after mutual admiration between him and Kojima. According to VidaExtra, Kojima expressed his long-standing admiration for Skarsgård’s work, and the two agreed to collaborate. Kojima highlighted the successful costume tests, 3D scans, and camera trials conducted with Skarsgård and co-star Charlee Fraser early this year. These tests gave Kojima confidence in the direction of the game. Skarsgård joins an ensemble that includes Charlee Fraser, Don Lee, and Minami Hamabe, according to Gameswelt.

Skarsgård’s role in Physint is a significant career milestone. The actor has recently gained attention for roles in Nosferatu, John Wick: Chapter 4, and the It franchise. Kojima described the project as the culmination of his 40-year career in game development, aiming to redefine the action-spionage genre according to IGN Deutschland.

Microsoft and Kojima Strengthen Partnership

With the shift in publishing rights from Sony to Microsoft, Kojima Productions and Xbox have deepened their collaboration. According to Hobby Consolas, the partnership marks a strategic move for the future of both companies. Xbox now handles the worldwide distribution and technical support for Physint. The game is expected to be one of the studio’s most ambitious titles to date, with Kojima emphasizing that it will not be confined to traditional genre boundaries.

During the livestream, Kojima also shared behind-the-scenes footage from the early production phase of Physint. The game’s poster, revealed during the event, features the tagline “The Next Cold War Begins,” according to IGN Deutschland. The poster and other promotional material suggest a narrative that blends espionage with high-stakes action.

Progress on OD Remains on Track

While Physint is a major focus, Kojima also provided an update on the development of OD, the horror title he is working on. According to Eurogamer.de, the game is progressing as planned. Earlier this year, production had to pause due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, but motion capture and ADR sessions have since resumed. Kojima praised the contributions of Sophia Lillis and Hunter Schafer, who are part of the cast. He described OD as a “completely new challenge” that aims to push the boundaries of horror, according to VidaExtra.