Hideki Kamiya Criticizes Nintendo Switch 2 Leakers After Official Reveal

In the wake of Nintendo's highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, acclaimed game director Hideki Kamiya has publicly condemned information leakers, expressing frustration and disappointment over the premature spread of confidential details.

Kamiya, renowned for his work on celebrated titles such as Okami, Bayonetta, and Devil May Cry, shared his candid perspective via social media, sparking significant discussion in the gaming community. Nintendo recently unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2, the successor to the best-selling Nintendo Switch hardware that has defined the company’s strategy since its release in March 2017.

While fans celebrated the official reveal, the lead-up had been marred by widespread leaks, which had already exposed various details about the next-generation console. Kamiya, who was instrumental in Okami’s development at Clover Studio and later established himself at PlatinumGames, did not hold back in his comments.

Reworked from his posts, Kamiya sharply criticized individuals involved in leaking Switch 2 information, drawing attention to the negative consequences for both game development teams and the broader fan base.

He suggested that those responsible for undermining the excitement of official announcements acted purely for self-gratification, disregarding the effort and anticipation of creators and their audiences.

"Those who leak confidential information not only rob developers and fans of the thrill of a well-timed reveal, but also cause significant opportunity losses and damage to the gaming experience," Kamiya stated. The impact of leaks extends beyond corporate interests, according to Kamiya.

He emphasized that such actions diminish the trust and responsibility entrusted to insiders, positioning leakers as individuals driven by a quest for attention that ultimately diminishes the community’s shared enjoyment. Notably, the surprise announcement of a sequel to Okami—one of Kamiya's most celebrated works—managed to avoid premature disclosure.

This allowed both developers and fans to savor the moment together, reinforcing Kamiya’s perspective on the true value of secrecy in the lead-up to major gaming announcements. Additionally, former Nintendo staffers Kit and Krysta recently weighed in on the situation, noting the disappointment within Nintendo itself after the Switch 2 news became common knowledge through unofficial sources.

As covered by major outlets such as Eurogamer, the rapid spread of leaks inevitably shaped public expectations and lessened the impact of Nintendo’s official communication. Since its 2017 debut, the Nintendo Switch has achieved over 139 million units sold worldwide, becoming a cornerstone of Nintendo's portfolio and a top-selling platform in the company’s history.

With anticipation for the Switch 2 expected to drive a new era of software and hardware innovation, industry observers and fans alike hope that future milestones can be celebrated without the shadow of premature leaks disrupting the experience. The ongoing discourse regarding information leaks underscores the delicate balance between transparency, anticipation, and creative control in the gaming industry.

As developers like Hideki Kamiya stress the importance of preserving the surprise for major announcements, the conversation around leaks and responsible reporting is likely to continue well into the next console generation.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Hideki Kamiya Okami Bayonetta Nintendo Switch