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Hideo Kojima says PHYSINT is about spies, but he does not want it to play like Metal Gear. In a recent episode of his Koji10 podcast, as reported by GamesRadar, he said: “It’s about spies, but I want plenty of new ideas and a different kind of spy action. It’s quite different.” That is a statement of intent. It names no mechanics, setting or story, and no public material says how the game will differ in play.
What Kojima actually said
The quote comes from GamesRadar’s report on the Koji10 podcast. It does not mention stealth, combat, gadgets, perspective, structure or tone. GamesRadar also notes that details about the game remain sparse.
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| 1 |
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Metal Gear Solid The Board Game | $119.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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METAL GEAR SOLID | MASTER COLLECTION Vol. 2 - PlayStation 5 | $49.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol 1 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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The wording suggests two things, and only two:
- The game is still a spy story and a spy-action game.
- Kojima is deliberately aiming for new ideas rather than a repeat of what he did before.
Anything beyond that, such as “no cardboard boxes” or “less stealth”, would be guesswork. Nothing in the cited sources supports it.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchIs PHYSINT a Metal Gear game?
No. Kojima Productions calls PHYSINT its third original IP and describes it as the culmination of Kojima’s 40-year career as a video game creator, according to the studio’s 17 September 2026 cast announcement. Those are the studio’s own characterizations, not measured claims, and the game is not finished. Nothing indicates a link to the Metal Gear series.
#1 Best Overall
- EPIC CAMPAIGN MODE: Dive into a 14-mission campaign filled with stealth, strategy, and iconic boss battles, bringing the Metal Gear Solid experience to your tabletop.
- FLEXIBLE VR MISSIONS: Choose from 6 free-to-play VR Missions for a quick, intense gaming experience. All gear earned is unlocked for future missions.
- UNIQUE BOSS FIGHTS: Each boss requires different strategies to defeat, offering a diverse and challenging gameplay experience.
- ASYMMETRIC CHARACTER ABILITIES: Play as Solid Snake, Meryl, Otacon, or Gray Fox, each with unique abilities that provide new tactical options in every game.
- SAVE THE WORLD: Assume the role of legendary characters to infiltrate enemy bases and sabotage prototype weapon systems, preventing world-ending threats.
How the project has developed
January 2024: the announcement
Kojima Productions announced a new action-espionage game with Sony Interactive Entertainment. Kojima said: “Preparations are underway, but production will begin in earnest after Death Stranding 2.” The pitch described a cinematic approach using technology and a cast, blurring the boundary between film and games. Those were stated aims at the time, not confirmed features. The quote is historical and implies no current schedule.
September 2026: Xbox takes over as partner
Kojima Productions said on 10 September 2026 that PHYSINT’s journey would continue with Xbox. Xbox Wire described the expanded partnership as Xbox publishing the game. Sony was the partner named in 2024, so the current announcements supersede it. A full platform list and any exclusivity terms have not been stated, so don’t assume the game is Xbox-only.
Rank #2
- GAME LIST: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version), Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. Versions for other regions of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) can be downloaded separately from the store. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker supports online play for up to 6 players.
- DIGITAL BOOKS: Metal Gear Solid 4: Screenplay Book, Metal Gear Solid 4: Master Book, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Screenplay Book, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Master Book. All are accessible via the in-game Start Menu.
- METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 SAVE-DATA BONUS*: If a user has saved data for any title included in METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1, you can receive in-game items usable in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) respectively. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Bonus: Gold Camouflage. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) Bonus: GOLD Uniform.
17 September 2026: the cast
The studio confirmed Bill Skarsgård in the lead role and unveiled a poster with Skarsgård and Charlee Fraser. Don Lee and Minami Hamabe are named as ensemble members. The studio says costume fittings, scans and camera tests with Skarsgård and Fraser took place earlier in 2026.
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| Aspect | What is established |
|---|---|
| Genre framing | Both are espionage/action. Kojima says PHYSINT will pursue a different kind of spy action. |
| Franchise | PHYSINT is an original IP, not a Metal Gear entry. |
| Stealth, combat, gadgets | Not stated |
| Setting and story premise | Not stated |
| Platforms | Not stated; Xbox is the publishing partner |
| Release date | Not stated in the official announcements |
Optional: revisiting Metal Gear for context
Playing Metal Gear is not required preparation, and it won’t show how PHYSINT plays. If you want the series Kojima is distancing this project from, Konami’s METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol. 1 gathers Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, plus earlier games and bonus content. Konami’s June 2023 announcement listed physical and digital versions for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam. Availability varies by edition and region.
Rank #3
- Play at home and on the go
- An ideal gift idea for a loved one
- Game is simple to understand and quick to play
The Bottom Line
Treat Kojima’s remarks as a promise of intent, not a feature list. The next official gameplay reveal, not this quote, will show what “a different kind of spy action” means.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- This innovative game series was born from the idea of avoiding combat and infiltrating enemy territory undetected
- Title line up: Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, Metal Gear (NES/FC version), and Snake’s Revenge
- Digital books: Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, Metal Gear, and Metal Gear; Screenplay and Master Books included
- Video: Metal Gear Solid; Digital Graphic Novel and Metal Gear Solid 2; Digital Graphic Novel
- Includes Metal Gear Solid: Digital Soundtrack
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