While Physical Instancing is Still Years Off, One Easter Egg Appears Certain

Physint is set to reintroduce Hideo Kojima to the realm of spy thrillers. Though Kojima Productions can’t craft a new Metal Gear Solid venture, Physint could well be an excellent alternative or perhaps equally gripping. The buzz around Kojima spearheading another espionage saga is undeniably thrilling.

Right now, we know next to nothing about Physint. Kojima Productions has teased us with a slew of previews for Death Stranding 2 and a quirky, cryptic trailer for the horror game OD, but details about Physint remain elusive. We might have to wait years for a sneak peek, yet there’s hope that Easter eggs could evoke fond memories of Metal Gear Solid.

In the Metal Gear Solid series, cardboard boxes have become iconic tools for players to avoid detection. They’re not just functional; they’re pivotal to the tradition of the series. If any game from Kojima Productions is likely to tip its hat to this cherished franchise, it’s going to be Physint.

Hideo Kojima himself once mentioned that Physint would taste like a blend between a video game and a feature film.

In Death Stranding, there are subtle nods to this Metal Gear Solid staple. During the unveiling of Death Stranding Director’s Cut at Summer Game Fest 2021, we saw a playful reference to this stealth mechanic. The trailer comically showed Sam trying to squeeze into a giant cardboard box. These boxes, courtesy of Fragile Express, are emblazoned with the phrase “Handled With Love,” echoing Snake’s advice to Raiden: “Don’t think of it as just another box. Treat it with love.”

Given Death Stranding’s homage, it wouldn’t be a stretch for Physint to follow suit. Kojima has previously hinted that Metal Gear Solid was a motivation for Physint. Fan demand for more tales from Metal Gear Solid nudged Kojima to explore a new IP within the same genre, making cardboard boxes the ideal tribute to those fans who clamored for more.

Interestingly, even Fortnite showcased its homage to Metal Gear Solid’s cardboard boxes last year.

Kojima Productions’ future endeavors are shrouded in an intriguing mystery. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is scheduled for a 2025 release. As for the horror project OD, no release date has been suggested. Likewise, Physint also remains without a launch target and might be further off than its companions from Kojima Productions.

These projects are veiled in secrecy, but exciting updates could be right around the corner. Hideo Kojima is slated to host a panel at SXSW on March 9, where more on these projects might be unveiled. While the focus will likely lean heavily on Death Stranding 2, there’s a chance Kojima could share insights into the nature of OD and Physint.

Currently, Physint stands as one of gaming’s tantalizing mysteries, but Kojima Productions is bound to lift the veil in time. Should Physint emerge as a spiritual successor to Metal Gear Solid, it will be a thrilling moment for its fans when first glimpsed. And who knows? We might find a cardboard box or two slipping into another Kojima masterpiece.

Kojima Productions was founded on December 16, 2015, with its headquarters in Tokyo’s Konan district. At the helm is Hideo Kojima himself, best known for the Metal Gear series.