Hideo Kojima said his studio will enter a more development-focused period in 2026, outlining what he described as a “Second Phase” for Kojima Productions as he reaches his 40th year in the video game industry.
In a New Year message shared on social media, the veteran game designer reflected on the company’s recent trajectory and signaled a shift away from a year dominated by global promotion and public appearances. He said the coming period would emphasize staying grounded and strengthening the studio’s foundations as it moves toward a longer-term third phase.
The change in direction follows a high-profile year for Kojima, which included the release of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and extensive travel tied to promotional activities. In contrast, the studio plans to dedicate more time in 2026 to hands-on development of its upcoming projects with major platform partners.
One of those projects is OD, a horror title being developed with Xbox Game Studios. Kojima has characterized the game as an experimental effort that leverages cloud technology to explore fear in unconventional ways, though only limited teaser material has been released so far.
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The studio is also beginning pre-production on Physint, a stealth-action project being developed with Sony Interactive Entertainment. Preparatory work such as casting and performance capture is underway, but Kojima has indicated the game remains several years from release. The year also marks a personal milestone for Kojima, who entered the video game industry in 1986 and said he remains focused on the long-term growth of his studio.