Kojima's next game could be published by Xbox, according to this report

What you need to know

• In a new report, it appears that Kojima Productions could partner with Microsoft for its next title.
• This reported deal is not officially closed as of publication, as per the source.
• Kojima Productions' most recent project was its 2019 debut, Death Stranding.

The rumor mill is always turning, with talk of a new Hideo Kojima project now circulating, with involvement from Microsoft. Following up on the 2019 release of PlayStation launch exclusive, Death Stranding, speculation on Kojima Productions' new project has ignited, from helming a Silent Hill reimagining to a full Metal Gear Solid remake. But with a new report, it appears that things could possibly get even crazier.

According to a new report from VentureBeat, via GamesBeat editor, Jeff Grubb, Kojima is currently in talks with Microsoft and its Xbox Game Studios publishing arm for its next game. The report states that this deal has not yet been closed, but rather an ongoing conversation between the two firms. This reportedly supplements Microsoft's initiative to leverage more Japanese developer talent across the Xbox ecosystem. This comes as Microsoft continues to expand its overseas presence, including Japanese content on Xbox systems and Xbox Game Pass.

While with Kojima's long-standing relationship with Sony from his beginnings at Konami, including its biggest deal to date with PlayStation for Death Stranding. Which led to PlayStation's first-party studio Guerrilla Games providing not only essential development help on the project but also granted Kojima access to Guerilla"s in-house Decima engine. But at the same time, this comes Hideo Kojima, now heading an independent studio taking pride in going against people's expectations.

Who knows, maybe those cryptic shelves behind Xbox head, Phil Spencer, weren't for nothing.