An Xbox-Published Kojima Game Would Be a Huge Turning Point

As the next console generation ramps up, both Sony and Microsoft are making concerted efforts to expand each new console's offerings. PlayStation continues to invest in first-party offerings like Naughty Dog and Sucker Punch Productions, while Xbox has been on an acquisition spree. Not only has Microsoft permanently added studios and franchises from Bethesda under the Xbox banner, but Xbox Game Pass has also been partnering with a slew of third-party published games to bolster Xbox Game Pass. According to a more recent report, it seems Xbox is taking an even bigger step by partnering with Kojima Productions to publish its next big game, exclusive to Xbox.

Death Stranding was the inaugural title from the famed developer's independent studio, but now it seems the next big Kojima Productions title may be Xbox-exclusive. Initially reported by GamesBeat's Jeff Grubb, albeit in reference to a completely separate rumor that Abandoned was a secret Kojima game, Grubb explains that Xbox is in talks with Kojima "to publish his next game." Supposedly, that Kojima Productions Ludens statue next to the Xbox logo during a Microsoft AI and Gaming Research Summit livestream was yet another hint of potential Xbox plans. However, assuming this Kojima partnership is official, this could be huge for Microsoft.

Microsoft and Xbox have been generating a ton of renewed momentum moving into 2021. While the Xbox Series X/S consoles were initially criticized for a lack of "true" exclusives and next-gen games after launch, the expansions of Xbox's first-party offering and Game Pass are making up for those criticisms. Microsoft finalized its $7.5 billion acquisition of Bethesda, bringing iconic franchises like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Doom, and Wolfenstein exclusively to Xbox for the future. Paired with the many other acquisitions Microsoft has made (Obsidian Entertainment, Undead Labs, Double Fine Productions, etc.), Xbox is continually expanding its exclusive offering.

Additionally, alongside bolstering its exclusive offering, Xbox has been winning even more favor from players on Xbox, as well as PC, with Xbox Game Pass. While there's still an unfortunate disparity in the titles available between Xbox and PC, Xbox Game Pass has added a wealth of high profile games to the subscription's library. Square Enix and People Can Fly's Outriders launched day-and-date on Xbox Game Pass, MLB The Show 21 is launching day-and-date with its first ever Xbox Series X/S release, and more. Adding a brand new Kojima property or Death Stranding sequel wouldn't just be another notch in the belt for Xbox; it'd be far more significant than that.

After splitting from Konami and going independent, Kojima Productions first independently developed game was a PlayStation-exclusive IP. Death Stranding was certainly critically divisive, but ended up being a commercial success over time, especially with the port to PC. Now, regardless of whether Kojima Productions' next title is a sequel to Death Stranding, or the often-rumored horror game project Kojima is supposedly working on, Xbox exclusivity would be a huge transition for the developer. To go from the studio's first IP being PlayStation console exclusive, to the next project potentially being Xbox exclusive, is a huge play for the Xbox brand.