Hideo Kojima's much-anticipated spiritual successor to Metal Gear, Physint, is still a significant wait away, with the visionary game designer estimating another "five or six years" before its release. This news comes directly from Kojima, who shared his thoughts with Le Film Francais, highlighting that his ambitions to direct a movie are on hold until he completes this new "action espionage" project, his first since his high-profile departure from Konami in 2015.

Kojima revealed the breadth of opportunities he's had since going independent, stating, "I've had so many offers since I left Konami, with serious conditions to develop games in my independent studio." Alongside Death Stranding 2, Physint is one of the key projects consuming his time. "Besides Death Stranding 2, there's also Physint in development. That will take me another five or six years," he explained, as translated by ResetEra member Red Kong XIX.

Despite his eagerness to venture into filmmaking, a passion he's nurtured since childhood, Kojima is prioritizing his gaming projects. "But maybe after that, I could finally decide to take on a film," he mused. "I grew up with cinema. Directing would be, in a way, a tribute to it. Also, I'm getting older, and I'd prefer to do it while I'm still young!"

The announcement of Physint was made by PlayStation Studios boss Herman Hulst in January 2024, though details have been scarce since. Initially, Kojima suggested that Physint would also be a movie, but he later clarified on X/Twitter that it would push the boundaries of digital entertainment to the level of a cinematic experience.

Physint is just one of several exciting projects in Kojima's pipeline. Alongside it, Death Stranding 2 and the new IP OD—a collaboration with Xbox Game Studios involving actress Hunter Schafer and filmmaker Jordan Peele—are also in development. Additionally, Kojima is contributing to A24's film adaptation of the original Death Stranding.

Fans won't have to wait as long for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, which is slated for release on June 26. The franchise's star, actor Norman Reedus, recently teased his involvement in the film adaptation, confidently stating in an IGN interview that he would "of course" play himself in the movie.

In a fascinating glimpse into his creative process, Kojima recently shared insights into discarded video game ideas, including a concept for a 'Forgetting Game' where the protagonist loses memory and abilities if players take extended breaks. Moreover, he disclosed that he has left his team a USB stick filled with game ideas to be explored after his passing, ensuring his legacy in gaming continues to inspire.