Hideo Kojima has announced that the ongoing video game actors’ strike has impacted production on both his upcoming Xbox title and his action espionage project for Sony.
Kojima shared via Twitter that Kojima Productions was forced to halt actor scanning and filming for the Xbox-published project, OD, during the latter half of 2024 due to the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) video game actors’ strike, which began in July. Similarly, casting for Physint, Kojima’s highly anticipated return to the action espionage genre, was also paused as a result of the strike. Kojima expressed hope that production would resume in 2025.
The SAG-AFTRA video game voice actors have been protesting against gaming companies’ refusal to meet their demands concerning the use of artificial intelligence. The contract negotiations began in October 2022, and the strike was approved by SAG-AFTRA members in September 2023. For more on the strike’s impact, IGN’s article What the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Actors Strike Means for Gamers provides further insight.
The implications for OD and Physint remain uncertain, as both games currently lack official release dates. Both projects are video game/movie hybrids, with OD featuring a collaboration between Kojima and director Jordan Peele (known for Nope and Get Out). Physint was revealed during a Sony State of Play broadcast, which suggests it may be planned for PlayStation 6.
Meanwhile, Kojima continues working on Death Stranding 2, which is expected to release in 2025, along with a live-action Death Stranding film produced by A24. In his tweet, Kojima teased that “other adaptations” are in the works, though he did not elaborate.
The SAG-AFTRA strike has also affected other titles. Activision recently confirmed that some voice actors for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 were recast after fans noticed changes to beloved Zombies characters’ voices in-game. Activision stated, "We respect the personal choice of these performers. Out of respect for all parties, we won’t add new commentary about the ongoing negotiations with SAG-AFTRA. We look forward to a mutually beneficial outcome as soon as possible." Although Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 was in development before the strike began in July 2024, it seems some voice actors may have chosen not to sign new contracts in solidarity with the striking union members. IGN has reached out to SAG-AFTRA for comment.

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