Mamoru Oshii, the acclaimed director behind the iconic anime film Ghost in the Shell, has disclosed that he has spent an astonishing 10,000 hours playing Fallout 4, all while deliberately avoiding the game's central storyline. In a Japanese video interview commemorating the 30th anniversary of Ghost in the Shell, Oshii opened up about his passion for gaming, with a particular focus on Fallout 4.
Oshii explained, 'According to Steam, my playtime in Fallout 4 is around 8,000 hours, but I also played it on PlayStation before that, so I estimate my total time is about 10,000 hours.' The director, known for works like Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, added through IGN-translated remarks, 'I'm still playing now.'
What draws the 74-year-old filmmaker to Fallout 4? He described it as 'a game that seems to have been made for my own desires,' detailing how he explores the post-apocalyptic wasteland with a rifle and his loyal canine companion, Dogmeat. Beyond Fallout 4, Oshii is a devoted fan of Hideo Kojima, playing every new release from the Metal Gear Solid creator—he recently completed Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, where he makes a cameo as an NPC called The Pizza Chef.
For nearly a decade, Oshii has followed a routine: he pauses his Fallout 4 sessions to dive into Kojima's latest game upon release, finishes it, and then returns to Fallout 4. 'There are no other games I want to play,' he stated simply. He mentioned trying PUBG and logging 250 hours, but noted he doesn't enjoy online multiplayer or fast-paced shooters, preferring solo experiences. 'After all is said and done, I prefer playing games on my own,' he said.
Oshii praised Fallout 4's VATS system, a slow-motion aiming feature that helps players land shots without needing sharp reflexes. 'If the game didn't have this, I probably couldn't play it,' he admitted. His playstyle is unconventional: he avoids factions, ignores the main quest, and focuses on side missions and raids with Dogmeat, stripping gear from enemies to benefit the in-game community. 'It's a win-win,' he remarked, 'I get to enjoy the pleasure of stripping scumbags naked while also contributing to the local community’s welfare.'
He holds a particular grudge against the Brotherhood of Steel, comparing them to Nazis and sneak-killing entire units—once amassing so many Power Armors that he used them to build a moat. On console, his loot collection was so extensive that it strained his PS4's performance. About four years ago, Oshii ran out of activities in Fallout 4 and turned to mods, but the 2025 Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition update broke them. Upon launching the updated game, he found 'some random bald guy wearing a suit' instead of his custom character, requiring significant effort to restore normalcy. 'I wish they'd stop changing things without asking,' he lamented.
