“My generation really took a lot from the cinema, and much of that remains an unconscious influence on what we make today. I like to call it our "cinema DNA."”
In 1999 Kojima said his generation took a great deal from cinema and that much of that remains an unconscious influence on what they make, a phenomenon he called his cinema DNA. He explained that it is not so much that he is consciously thinking of movies when he creates, but that having grown up with films means everything he makes ends up feeling somewhat like a movie — elements absorbed without realizing, a sense of what is "cool", a beautiful framing, and stylish lighting. He added that he is somewhat worried that the current generation of young creators grew up with video games themselves and have not had time to absorb the influence of other arts.
“In my case, it's not so much that I'm conscious of movies when I create, it's more that, as a result of having grown up with them, everything I make ends up feeling somewhat like a movie.”