Konami’s upcoming Silent Hill f has already attracted attention for its unsettling setting and psychological horror, but producer Motoi Okamoto has now revealed another reason the game’s narrative may stand apart.
Speaking at CEDEC 2026, Okamoto shared that the development team encouraged scenario writers to read between 100 and 200 books every year as part of the creative process.
The insight came during Okamoto’s presentation, The Art of Producing Silent Hill, where he discussed the importance of broad artistic influences when creating compelling stories. His comments were first reported by GameWatch and translated by Automaton.
Extensive Reading Was a Creative Requirement for Silent Hill f’s Story Team
According to Okamoto, reading has always been an essential part of his own approach to game development. He explained that understanding a writer’s complete body of work is “basic respect,” adding that the same philosophy influenced how the Silent Hill f narrative team operated.
He revealed,
“Within the team, we put pressure on each other, especially among the scenario writers, to read at least 100 to 200 books a year.”
Rather than treating books as optional inspiration, the team viewed extensive reading as valuable “input” that could improve storytelling, characterization, and thematic depth.
The producer suggested that drawing ideas from literature helps developers avoid relying too heavily on existing video games for inspiration. This philosophy reflects a broader trend among veteran creators who encourage artists to study novels, film, theater, and other creative mediums to produce more original work.
Silent Hill f marks a fresh direction for Konami’s iconic horror franchise, featuring a 1960s rural Japan setting and an original story written by acclaimed visual novel author Ryukishi07. With the game’s narrative already generating significant interest, Okamoto’s comments offer a look into the extensive preparation behind its writing process.
