Hideo Kojima has ushered in 2026 by sharing a personal New Year’s address regarding the future of Kojima Productions. After a busy 2025 that saw the launch of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and extensive world travel, Kojima stated that 2026 will be a year for “staying grounded.” This “Second Phase” of the studio’s operations focuses on laying solid foundations for upcoming titles rather than global touring. This year also marks a major personal milestone for the legendary director, as it is his 40th anniversary in the video game industry since he first started in 1986.

Status of OD and Physint

The studio is currently juggling two major game projects with very different goals. Work is steadily proceeding on OD, an experimental horror title being developed in collaboration with Xbox Game Studios that utilizes cloud technology. Meanwhile, the cinematic espionage project Physint, developed with Sony, is moving into a critical preparation stage. Kojima confirmed that 2026 will involve casting actors, 3D scanning, and performance capture sessions for these titles. While Physint is still several years away from release, these steps mark a significant transition into active production.

Expanding the Death Stranding Universe

Beyond gaming, Kojima Productions is heavily invested in multimedia expansions for the Death Stranding franchise. Kojima confirmed that the live-action film adaptation is pushing forward, alongside both an animated movie and an animated series. The studio is also preparing several “unique events” for 2026 to celebrate its progress and connect with the community. While a new game release from the studio is unlikely this year, the focus on these diverse projects ensures that the “Kojima Productions Second Phase” will be a transformative period for the company.