Sony Faces Fan Backlash Following Cancellation of PHYSINT

PlayStation fans lashed out at Sony after the cancellation of PHYSINT, as players recalled Destiny’s issues, the closure of Bluepoint Games, Concord, the abandonment of physical releases, and rising console prices.

PHYSINT was meant to be Hideo Kojima’s return to action and stealth games, and it was being built for a new generation of PlayStation. Although Sony never officially called it the first game for the PS6, many players viewed the project that way. PlayStation Studios abandoned the project, and after three months of searching, Kojima Productions found a new partner in Xbox.

The decision has reignited debate over Sony’s strategy. Players are recalling Destiny’s problems, the abandonment of physical editions, changes in the approach to releasing exclusives on PC, and years of investment in live-service games that ended with the cancellation of multiple projects.

Bluepoint Games is mentioned particularly often. After being acquired by Sony, the studio known for remakes was put to work on a live-service game that never saw the light of day before the studio was shut down. Concord is also frequently recalled as a symbol of PlayStation’s troubles with live-service games.

Players are also criticizing record console prices, selling the vertical stand separately, and Sony’s preparation to move away from discs. Against this background, PHYSINT moving to Xbox looks especially symbolic, as a project once tied to the future of PlayStation is now being developed alongside Microsoft.