Kojima’s OD Unaffected by Xbox Layoffs

Kojimas OD Stays Safe During Xboxs Huge Layoffs, While Other Projects Remain Unsure

Microsoft recently laid off around 9,000 people, and a lot of them were from Microsoft Gaming. This big shakeup led to some projects getting canceled, like Perfect Dark, and even some studios closing their doors. Plus, it left a bunch of their lesser-known projects in limbo. Hideo Kojima’s game, OD, was announced back in December 2023, but we still know next to nothing about it. They haven’t shared any details in the past year and a half. But even without official word, unofficial sources are saying it’s still active. Windows Central, who was one of the first to break news about Perfect Dark getting canned and The Initiative studio shutting down, says their sources confirm OD is one of the 40-plus projects Xbox is still working on. It looks like it wasn’t affected by the cuts at all. Another mysterious Xbox project, called Contraband, is also getting people talking. Windows Central’s Jez Corden says its announcement trailer got taken down because of music licensing issues. So, it looks like Kojima Productions’ team-up with Xbox on OD is safe from cancellation for now, according to those same sources.

In Case You Missed It

While discussing recent Xbox developments and the safety of Hideo Kojima’s project OD amidst Microsoft’s layoffs, it’s worth noting another intriguing update related to The Initiative studio. In a recent blog post by Bruno Pferd dated July 4, 2025, titled “Perfect Dark Trailer Not ‘Entirely False’, Clarifies Former The Initiative Member,” the author sheds light on the controversy surrounding Perfect Dark’s canceled project and trailer. Adam McDonald, who worked on the playable demo for the 2024 trailer, provides clarity on the discrepancies between the demo and final product, clarifying that while certain elements were exaggerated for promotional purposes, key gameplay features like stealth and parkour are genuine. To learn more about this fascinating insight into game development practices, be sure to check out Bruno Pferd’s full article Perfect Dark Trailer Not ‘Entirely False’, Clarifies Former The Initiative Member. As Microsoft Gaming continues to navigate significant changes, it’s heartening to see how other companies are focusing on different aspects of growth and stability. Nintendo recently highlighted the importance of their employees in a meeting with investors (July 4, 2025), emphasizing that their people are at the core of everything they do. President Shuntaro Furukawa and other key figures shared insights into how Nintendo values talent management and fosters an environment where creativity and individual growth thrive. For more details on how Nintendo prioritizes its most valuable resource—its employees—be sure to check out Marcus Thompson’s insightful piece Nintendo States Employees Are Most Valuable Resource. While Microsoft Gaming faces significant restructuring following recent layoffs, it’s refreshing to see Nintendo taking a different approach. In a recent statement, Mr. Shuntaro Furukawa, Nintendo’s president, outlined the company’s strategy for developing games efficiently without compromising on quality or innovation (read more Nintendo Still Believes It’s Possible to Develop Good Games Quickly). This July 4th blog post by Marcus Thompson delves into how Nintendo plans to maintain its unique game creation process while adapting to increasing production costs. It’s an intriguing look at the future of gaming and a must-read for anyone interested in how industry giants like Nintendo are navigating these challenging times.