Kojima Productions has to clarify it still likes Sony after fanboy implosion

(Image credit: Kojima Productions)

Yesterday Hideo Kojima made an appearance at the Xbox and Bethesda showcase, announcing a new partnership between Kojima Productions and Xbox Game Studios. Kojima says it's a completely new project, and "I've waited very long for the day when I could finally start to create it."

This was a notable announcement not just because of Kojima's profile and track record, but because his work has long been associated with PlayStation and, when he broke away from Konami, it was Sony that Kojima Productions first partnered with (for Death Stranding). The news was greeted by some with anticipation, while others saw the opportunity for fine memes.

Kojima's announcement at the Xbox Conference pic.twitter.com/6rUSwwx5BaJune 12, 2022

Unfortunately the internet is the internet, and the announcement brought down an avalanche of praise and scorn from Xbox and PlayStation fans respectively. It feels weird to have to point out that Kojima Productions is also working on Death Stranding 2, or at least that's what Norman Reedus says, and signing a development contract to fund a new game's production isn't 'picking sides' in an imaginary war. But it's even weirder that, such was the backlash, Kojima Productions has had to issue a clarification about it being an independent studio:

"As an independent creative studio, #KojimaProductions will continue pursuing work on creations for our fans. We will explore various possibilities with games, movies, and music through platforms that evolve with time and technology. We look forward to your continued support!"

This was followed by another message emphasising that the studio continues to have "a very good partnership with PlayStation."

After the announcement of our partnership with Microsoft using the cloud technology, many people have asked us about our collaboration with SIE. Please be assured that we continue to have a very good partnership with PlayStation® as well.#KojimaProductions https://t.co/mVOELwDuk9June 13, 2022

Well what can you say. Some folk need to get out in the sunshine and deliver a few packages.

It's not like anyone even knows what this collaboration with Xbox is yet: the announcement was as vague as you like, with the only clue being that it will somehow leverage Microsoft's cloud technology. Unconfirmed industry scuttlebutt says it may be a horror-focused project called Overdose, but take that with a whole shaker full of salt. It's also a safe bet that, whatever this is, we won't be playing it for years.

Rich is a games journalist with 15 years' experience, beginning his career on Edge magazine before working for a wide range of outlets, including Ars Technica, Eurogamer, GamesRadar+, Gamespot, the Guardian, IGN, the New Statesman, Polygon, and Vice. He was the editor of Kotaku UK, the UK arm of Kotaku, for three years before joining PC Gamer. He is the author of a Brief History of Video Games, a full history of the medium, which the Midwest Book Review described as "[a] must-read for serious minded game historians and curious video game connoisseurs alike."