Silent Hill f writers were challenged to read "100-200 books a year" during production

The scriptwriting team behind Silent Hill f challenged one another to read between 100 and 200 books annually during the game's development. According to Eurogamer, Silent Hill producer Motoi Okamoto shared these details during a presentation at the CEDEC2026 conference, explaining that the writing staff "pressured each other" to complete the intense reading regimen.

The massive reading effort was designed to give the narrative team a deep familiarity with the primary writer, Ryukishi07. By studying a vast range of material, including Ryukishi07's existing catalog, the developers aimed to thoroughly capture the author's unique voice across the project.

Respecting a Writer's Body of Work

During his presentation, Okamoto outlined his philosophy on hiring creative talent, emphasizing that leadership should deeply study a writer's past projects before bringing them onto a development team.

"If you're going to commission a writer, you should read at least the majority of their entire body of work before commissioning them," Okamoto said. "This is not only a matter of basic respect, but it's also to understand that every writer has their strengths and weaknesses, and to grasp their style and quirks."

This approach guided the narrative preparation for Silent Hill f, ensuring the team was fully equipped to adapt and support Ryukishi07's signature storytelling style.

Reviving Silent Hill with a New Generation

Okamoto also discussed the broader strategy behind the franchise's revival. When the Silent Hill revival was greenlit, roughly half of Konami's development team were in their 20s, and the original development staff—commonly referred to as "Team Silent"—had been almost entirely replaced.

To ensure the brand made a meaningful comeback rather than relying solely on nostalgia, Okamoto insisted on developing a brand-new entry alongside remakes of classic titles.

"I wanted people to feel that this was a serious attempt to revive the series, rather than a 'wait-and-see' remake that gauges the series' popularity, which is common these days," Okamoto stated. "That's why I absolutely wanted to announce a new game at the same time as the remake."

Developed by NeoBards Entertainment, Silent Hill f moves the horror series to a rural village in 1960s Japan, inspired by Gero City in Japan's Gifu Prefecture.

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