Highlights
According to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, the Xbox exclusive from Kojima Productions is currently in active development, emphasizing the studio's requirement for time and creative freedom to fully bring their vision to life.
The game project remains veiled in secrecy, leaving fans to speculate about its nature following a vague description disclosed at the Xbox Games Showcase. Microsoft adopts a hands-off approach towards both third-party collaborations and first-party studio management, enabling Kojima Productions to operate at their preferred pace and reveal project details at their discretion.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer recently provided an update on the highly anticipated untitled Xbox console exclusive by Kojima Productions. Spencer emphasized the need for Hideo Kojima and his team to have the necessary time and privacy to bring their creative vision to life. This update comes after a recent visit from a significant Xbox marketing team to Kojima Productions, creating excitement among fans who are hopeful for an imminent announcement.
The enigmatic title was originally announced during the June 2022 Xbox Games Showcase. During the event, Kojima revealed that this would be his first-ever exclusive game for Xbox, incorporating cloud technology to deliver a unique and interactive experience. Since then, the renowned game designer and his team have kept tight-lipped about the project, leaving fans to speculate about the intriguing possibilities hinted at in the vague description.
During a recent interview with Japanese outlet Game Watch, Spencer shared an update on the mysterious game, revealing plans to visit Kojima Productions during the final week of September. "I believe the project is progressing well," the executive expressed, emphasizing the value of this prolonged period of silence as an integral part of the creative process. Expanding on this, Spencer stated that granting Kojima Productions ample time and freedom to explore their innovative ideas "away from the public eye" is vital in supporting the company's vision for the game.
Microsoft, therefore, does not plan to pressure the studio into revealing more information about the project until they are ready to do so independently, according to the executive. Based on these remarks, it is reasonable to assume that the game is far from finished. As a point of comparison, Death Stranding took approximately four years to develop, without attempting to push the boundaries of gaming and technology like this Xbox project aims to do.
Spencer's update on Kojima Productions' ongoing development efforts underscores Microsoft's hands-off approach to both third-party collaborations and first-party studio management. Since the launch of Xbox Game Pass in 2017, the company has only intervened in development to determine target platforms or delay releases. This approach has been evident in dealings with Bethesda, as Spencer confirmed himself when explaining the decision to postpone the release of Starfield and make it exclusive to Xbox.
Regarding the current project, a game industry expert has revealed that Kojima Productions' exclusive for Xbox is a frightening encounter known as Overdose. Additionally, Margaret Qualley, renowned for her role in The Nice Guys, is rumored to be included in the game's cast, according to the same source.