2026 Is About Staying Grounded and Laying Solid Foundations, Says Hideo Kojima As Work Continues on OD and Physint
Hideo Kojima has published his New Year message as 2026 begins in Japan, and alongside the seasonal greetings, he also offered a clear snapshot of how Kojima Productions plans to operate this year: less global travel, more execution focus, and a heavier emphasis on building the production pipeline for what comes next.
In his post on Kojima on X, Kojima says the studio will move forward with what he calls the Second Phase that leads into Kojima Productions Third Phase. The headline takeaway is that 2026 is positioned as an internal momentum year, centered on staying grounded and laying solid foundations rather than running a world tour. From a production standpoint, that language usually signals a shift toward locking schedules, scaling the capture workflow, and converting creative direction into repeatable throughput across teams and partners.
Happy New Year.
— HIDEO_KOJIMA (@HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN) December 31, 2025
In 2026, we will move forward with the “Second Phase” that leads into KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS’ “Third Phase.”
Unlike last year, like I was traveling all over the world, this year will be about staying grounded and laying solid foundations. We will continue development… pic.twitter.com/yje0zAY1md
Kojima confirms that development continues on the horror game OD, while preparations advance for the espionage action title Physint. He specifically calls out practical next steps including casting actors, scanning, and performance capture shoots. That is notable because it frames 2026 as a year where the studio is investing in the foundational assets and performances that define the games long before release, especially for projects that lean heavily on cinematic presentation and character work.
He also shares that the Death Stranding adaptations remain in motion, with the live action film and multiple animation projects mentioned as active initiatives, spanning both movie and series formats. Kojima adds that several events are also being prepared this year, with more details to come once plans are finalized. For fans, this reads like a year built around progress milestones and visibility moments, even if it is not structured to culminate in a new game launch.
Kojima closes by highlighting that 2026 marks his 40th anniversary in the game industry, dating back to 1986, and thanks supporters for continuing to back Kojima Productions as it builds toward its next stage.
Do you want Kojima Productions to prioritize a deep single project focus, or do you prefer this multi track pipeline approach with OD, Physint, and adaptations progressing in parallel?
