What Did Hideo Kojima Reveal in His Latest Interviews? - December 2025

Hideo Kojima recently captivated audiences with two major interviews, first detailing his unique game development philosophy on Wired's Tech Support series and then interviewing Stranger Things creators, the Duffer Brothers, for Netflix Japan, revealing profound Japanese game influences on their hit show.

Quick Breakdown

• Gaming icon Hideo Kojima featured in two high-profile interviews: Wired's Tech Support and Netflix Japan.
• Kojima detailed his unique game development process, including intense self-testing and the importance of a "creator's love."
• Interviewing the Duffer Brothers, Kojima uncovered how Japanese games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill profoundly shaped Stranger Things' Upside Down.
• Kojima emphasized his commitment to continuous self-education, reading and researching daily to inform his creative works.

What Did Hideo Kojima Reveal on Wired's Tech Support?

Published December 21, 2025, Kojima's appearance on Wired's "Tech Support" series saw him turn the interview lens inward, answering questions primarily about his own creative process. The Death Stranding 2: On The Beach visionary discussed his intricate methods for writing, making, and assessing his video games. Key insights included the importance of players feeling "the creator's love" in games and encouraging player experimentation. He also touched upon his well-documented love for cinema, his perspectives on the future of gaming, and his philosophy for crafting worlds that immerse players. A surprising revelation was his lack of specialized in-house science or history experts, necessitating his "daily" study through literature, documentaries, and extensive online and library research. Kojima even jokingly invited aspiring developers to contact him if they wished to become his "right-hand man."

Furthermore, Kojima offered a fascinating, rare glimpse into his personal game testing and tuning stage. He described listening with both headphones and speakers, meticulously tweaking difficulty levels, and resolving "story pacing issues" himself. "It's a very crucial stage," he stated, adding, "Not many do this, I think."

How Did Japanese Games Influence Stranger Things?

Days prior to his Wired appearance, Kojima also emerged on Netflix Japan, conducting an interview with the Duffer Brothers, creators of the global phenomenon Stranger Things. During their conversation, the brothers explicitly acknowledged the immense impact of Japanese culture on their work. They specifically cited classic Japanese horror games such as Resident Evil and Silent Hill, stating these titles "really influenced the whole look of the Upside Down and the other dimension." While Metal Gear Solid was also mentioned, its inclusion may have been a nod to Kojima's presence. The Duffer Brothers affirmed that these games were extensively discussed during their creative process, filtered through their youthful experiences and memories, and were "just as much a part of Stranger Things" as the influences from the "Big Three" – John Carpenter, Steven Spielberg, and Stephen King.

Why Do These Kojima Interviews Matter?

These recent high-profile interviews offer invaluable, multifaceted insights into the mind of one of gaming's most enigmatic and influential figures. Kojima's self-assessment on Wired demystifies parts of his unique development philosophy, offering rare glimpses into his hands-on approach to quality control and his commitment to continuous learning. This directly impacts the understanding of his future projects, including Death Stranding 2, giving fans and industry observers a deeper appreciation for the thought and effort behind his creations.

The Netflix Japan interview with the Duffer Brothers underscores the profound and often understated global cultural impact of Japanese video games. Revealing that titles like Resident Evil and Silent Hill directly shaped the iconic imagery of Stranger Things highlights gaming's cross-media influence and its status as a foundational artistic medium. This revelation not only excites fans of both mediums but also reinforces the legacy of these classic Japanese titles, potentially drawing new audiences to their rich histories and original designs.

Where can I watch Hideo Kojima's self-interview?

Hideo Kojima's self-interview is featured in Wired's Tech Support series and is available for viewing on YouTube.

Which Japanese games influenced Stranger Things creators?

The Duffer Brothers cited games such as Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Metal Gear Solid as key Japanese influences, particularly shaping the aesthetic of the Upside Down in Stranger Things.

What is Hideo Kojima's approach to game testing?

Kojima personally conducts extensive game testing, involving listening with both headphones and speakers, fine-tuning difficulty, and resolving story pacing issues, a stage he deems "very crucial."