Ghost of Yōtei’s developers, Sucker Punch, reveal the compelling reasons behind choosing Hokkaido as the main setting for their latest game. Dive into the article to explore how they meticulously recreated Hokkaido and the insights they gained from their immersive trips to Japan.
Ghost of Yōtei: Embracing Hokkaido as the Main Setting
Authentic Representation of Real-Life Locations in a Fictional World
Ghost of Yōtei continues Sucker Punch's tradition of integrating real-life Japanese locales into their games, with Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido) serving as the primary backdrop. In a detailed PlayStation Blog post dated May 15, Game Director Nate Fox elaborated on the selection of Hokkaido for protagonist Atsu's narrative journey.
Sucker Punch is no stranger to recreating real-world settings, having vividly brought Tsushima Island to life in their inaugural Ghost series game. Their efforts were lauded by Japanese critics, earning Game Director Nate Fox and Creative Director Jason Connell the prestigious title of ambassadors for the real Tsushima island, in recognition of their dedication to showcasing its culture and history.
In 2021, Tsushima's Mayor Naoki Hitakatsu expressed gratitude for the team's efforts, stating, "Even many Japanese are unaware of the history of the Gen-ko period. Globally, the name and location of Tsushima are largely unknown, so I am deeply thankful for their work in bringing our story to life with stunning graphics and profound narratives."
The team's approach to Tsushima was one of respect and authenticity, a standard they aim to uphold in Ghost of Yōtei. Fox emphasized that their goal for both games is "to deliver a sense of authenticity and believability to our fictional story."
The choice of Hokkaido for Ghost of Yōtei stems from its "unbelievable beauty and its status as the edge of the Japanese empire in 1603." Fox believes it's the perfect setting to unveil Atsu's tale of revenge, illustrating how her actions shape public perception. He remarked, "If you're going to tell a ghost story, do it in a dramatic location."
Blending Beauty with Peril
Nate Fox shared that the team embarked on two trips to Japan to deeply understand the setting and its culture, which he described as the highlight of their development process. One notable location they visited was Shiretoko National Park, a place where the serene beauty coexists with the lurking dangers of the wild.
The park's unique blend of natural allure and inherent risks encapsulated the exact atmosphere Sucker Punch aimed to capture in their game. Fox noted, "A perfect marriage of beauty and danger, that was the exact feeling we wanted for our game. For me, that was the moment I knew Hokkaido was the right choice."
The team also explored Mt. Yōtei, revered by the Ainu people as "Machineshir," or "the Female Mountain." The Ainu, who have inhabited Hokkaido long before modern Japanese settlement, share a profound connection with nature and consider the mountain sacred. For the developers, Mt. Yōtei symbolizes Hokkaido and represents the family Atsu lost.
Fox reflected that their immersive experience on the island, engaging with locals, and brainstorming new ideas made the trip incredibly rewarding. Their visits to Japan enabled them to "capture the spirit of it in our fictional version of the island." Acknowledging their initial unfamiliarity with Japanese culture as foreigners, they plan to share more details on how they addressed this challenge.
As previously announced, Ghost of Yōtei is set to be Sucker Punch's most ambitious project yet, generating significant excitement among fans. The game is slated for release on October 2, 2025, exclusively on the PlayStation 5. For the latest updates on Ghost of Yōtei, be sure to check out our dedicated article below!
