If you’re a fan of Hideo Kojima, the creator of Metal Gear Solid, you’re probably aware of his latest projects. He has been busy since leaving Konami in 2015 and starting Kojima Productions. You might know about his partnership with Sony, which resulted in Death Stranding. Now, he’s announced three more titles: Death Stranding 2, an action-espionage game called Physint, and a horror game titled OD, published by Xbox Game Studios.
OD is shrouded in mystery. Kojima has hinted that it will use Xbox’s cloud technology to create something “groundbreaking” and “immersive” that “no one has done before.” Additionally, it will be a collaboration with filmmaker Jordan Peele, known for ‘Get Out’ and ‘Nope,’ along with other unnamed creatives. Here’s everything we know about OD so far.
What’s OD’s release date?
Unfortunately, there’s no release date for OD yet. Kojima Productions and Xbox Game Studios have not announced its availability. Considering Death Stranding 2 is scheduled for a 2025 release, you’ll unlikely see OD before 2026 at the earliest.
It’s not entirely clear if OD will be an Xbox exclusive. Since Xbox Game Studios published it, it’s assumed that it will be available on Xbox Series X and Windows PC and will feature on the Game Pass subscription service. However, the trailer does not mention specific platforms. Depending on the development timeline, it could even be released on the next generation of Xbox hardware.
Microsoft might also choose to publish it on other platforms, such as the PlayStation. Microsoft has done this with other Xbox titles, like Sea of Thieves. While the prestige of having a Hideo Kojima game might keep it Xbox exclusive, the use of Xbox’s cloud gaming technology could mean it will be playable on multiple platforms. It’s also possible that OD could be Xbox’s first cloud gaming exclusive.
Who’s in the cast?
The teaser trailer for OD, shown at the 2023 Game Awards, introduced three actors: Sophia Lillis (It, Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves), Hunter Schafer (Euphoria), and Udo Kier (who has appeared in numerous Hollywood and European arthouse films). However, nothing is known about the roles these actors will play.
Margaret Qualley, who appeared in a leaked demo of a Kojima horror game called Overdose in 2022, is not confirmed for OD. While Overdose is presumed to be the same project as OD, Qualley’s involvement remains uncertain. The leaked video might have been a proof-of-concept demo filmed during her work on Death Stranding.
At the 2023 Game Awards, Kojima announced he would work closely with Jordan Peele on OD. Kojima also mentioned he had gathered a team of storyteller “legends” for the project, whom he referred to as “The Avengers.”
The identities of these creatives are still a mystery, but Kojima has boasted about their clout. He claimed that his own would be forgotten when their names were revealed. Possible collaborators with horror backgrounds could include Guillermo del Toro, who worked on Death Stranding and was set to collaborate on Silent Hills, or Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar), who has visited Kojima Productions.
What will OD’s gameplay be like, and how will it use cloud technology?
OD’s gameplay remains largely unknown. Kojima has hinted at an unusual experience, stating it will be a “never-before-seen concept” using Xbox’s cloud technology. He described OD as a game and a movie, blurring the lines between the two media.
Kojima Productions says OD will explore “testing your fear threshold” and what it means to “OD on fear,” mixing gaming and film elements. The leaked Overdose footage, now unavailable, showed a survival horror game with a character exploring a spooky building with a flashlight. The video also had a picture-in-picture element showing a woman playing the game on a mobile device.
An unverified playtest leak described OD as an “experimental experience” involving multimedia, with “long cinematics” and a mix of “active and passive gameplay.” Players would guide characters using information from external sources, such as web pages.
