Xbox & Kojima Reportedly 'Close' To Closing Deal For Upcoming Game
Image: Summer Game Fest

Update (Fri 2nd Jul, 2021 11:00 BST): Jeff Grubb has returned again with another update, this time provided in writing over at VentureBeat, where he notes that Hideo Kojima and Microsoft have signed a "letter of intent" for a new Xbox game, signifying that "both parties have agreed to a generalized deal."

There's still no word on what type of game this might be, but Grubb says the deal is "so close that Microsoft has begun preparing for what Kojima will need to make his new game." It looks like this is almost certainly happening, folks!

"This is a key step in the negotiations between the Metal Gear Solid creator and the Xbox company. This signifies that both parties have agreed to a generalized deal while lawyers continue hashing out the finer points."

Original story (Fri 25th Jun, 2021 17:40 BST): We've been hearing for a few months now that the Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima might be in talks with Xbox to produce his next game, and according to VentureBeat reporter Jeff Grubb, the deal is pretty much a certainty.

Speaking on the latest GamesBeat Decides podcast, Grubb acknowledged that former Portal designer Kim Swift was brought into Xbox to work with Kojima, and the deal is "at a point where it's not going to not get signed."

"Kim Swift, who's worked on Portal and Left 4 Dead, and she's been at [Google] Stadia working as, like, their chief creative person, she's coming in specifically to work with Kojima on his game. [Xbox] didn't say Kojima, it said in the story it's about working with independent developers, [but] it's Kojima."

"It's close [to being signed]. It's at a point where, I think, it's not going to not get signed. They are just figuring out details basically. And I'll have more to say about that soon."

VentureBeat previously reported that Kojima Productions is "still in the early design phases for this project," and Kim Swift's hiring is "part of a bigger strategy to expand the reach of Xbox beyond physical hardware under a TV or monitor."

It was also said back in April that the collaboration was the "focus of a Microsoft plan to leverage Japanese talent," and the statue that has appeared on Phil Spencer's multiple times was indeed a tease, referencing the potential deal.

Intrigued by whatever this upcoming game might be? Think the deal will go ahead? Let us know below.

[source venturebeat.com, via youtube.com]