As confirmed earlier through our official channels, in mid-June of this year, we unexpectedly received notice from PlayStation Studios that they would cancel the PHYSINT project. PHYSINT is an important project both to me personally and to KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS. Determined to keep the project alive, we have spent the last three months searching tirelessly for a new partner. In the course of seeking advice and pursuing negotiations with people across many fields, we found in XBOX a partner with whom we share a common vision for the future, and we have decided to team up with them once again. Please rest assured that development of PHYSINT, our genre-defining action-espionage title, is ongoing and will continue moving forward.
It’s hard to believe, but Itagaki-san…my senior from university and my rival as a creator has passed away.
The last message I ever received from him was,
“Let’s go drinking. Let’s make some noise soon!”
To think that he’s gone at just 58 years old…
Yes, everyone dies eventually …that’s inevitable.
But you… isn’t it a bit too soon?
Didn’t you say you were going to defeat me someday?
Didn’t you come to my wedding, wearing your usual black leather jacket and sunglasses,
and call me your comrade-in-arms?
Didn’t you tell me to come to you whenever I was in trouble?
I never even got the chance to consult you about anything.
Honestly… I’m really depressed.
—Itagaki’s final message (English translation)—
Words I Leave Behind The flame of my life is finally about to go out. If this message has been posted, it means that the time has come. I am no longer in this world. (This final post has been entrusted to someone dear to me.)
My life was a series of battles. And I kept on winning. I know I caused trouble for many along the way. But I followed my convictions and fought to the very end. I have no regrets.
Only one thing weighs on me — I’m deeply sorry to all my fans that I couldn’t bring you a new work. I truly am. That’s just how it is. So it goes.
Tomonobu Itagaki
——-
This July 11 marks the 10 year anniversary of Satoru Iwata's passing. I still think of him nearly every day. Together, we put a lot of smiles on people's faces.
I handed in my resignation today to return to my home country and be close to my family.
I've been at Guerrilla for almost 6 years. I'm a bit scared because I have no job lined up, but also very happy to return home after almost 10 years out 🫶