"Ghost of Yotei: Hokkaido's Blend of Danger and Beauty"

Sucker Punch, the developers behind Ghost of Yōtei, have unveiled the reasons for selecting Hokkaido as the primary setting for their latest game. Delve into how they meticulously recreated Hokkaido and the insights gained from their trips to Japan.

Ghost of Yōtei: Embracing Hokkaido as the Main Setting

A Sense of Authenticity in Fictional Depictions of Real-Life Places

Ghost of Yōtei continues Sucker Punch's tradition of integrating real-world Japanese locales into their games, this time focusing on Ezo, known today as Hokkaido. In a May 15 PlayStation Blog post, Game Director Nate Fox detailed the rationale behind choosing Hokkaido as the backdrop for protagonist Atsu's journey.

Sucker Punch is no stranger to recreating actual locations, having previously brought Tsushima Island to life in the first Ghost game. Their efforts were well-received, earning accolades from Japanese critics and leading to Game Director Nate Fox and Creative Director Jason Connell being named ambassadors of Tsushima for their cultural representation.

In 2021, Tsushima Mayor Naoki Hitakatsu expressed gratitude for the global spotlight on their history. "Many Japanese are unaware of the Gen-ko period, and internationally, Tsushima remains obscure. Sucker Punch's stunning graphics and deep narratives have brought our stories to life, for which we are immensely thankful," Hitakatsu remarked.

The team's approach to Tsushima set the stage for their sequel, Ghost of Yōtei, where their goal remains to "deliver a feeling of authenticity and believability to our fictional story." Hokkaido, described by Fox as "unbelievably beautiful and at the edge of the Japanese empire in 1603," was deemed the ideal setting to explore Atsu's tale of revenge and its impact on her public perception. Fox noted, "If you’re going to tell a ghost story, do it in a dramatic location."

A Perfect Fusion of Beauty and Danger

To authentically capture Hokkaido's essence, Sucker Punch embarked on two research trips to Japan. Game Director Nate Fox highlighted these trips as the most rewarding aspect of the game's development. One key location they explored was Shiretoko National Park, which perfectly encapsulates the blend of natural beauty and inherent dangers.

The serene yet perilous environment of Shiretoko inspired the game's atmosphere. "A perfect marriage of beauty and danger, exactly what we wanted for our game. That's when I knew Hokkaido was the right choice," Fox explained.

Another significant site visited was Mt. Yōtei, revered by the Ainu as "Machineshir," or "the Female Mountain." The Ainu, Hokkaido's indigenous people, have a profound connection with nature and consider the mountain sacred. For the developers, Mt. Yōtei symbolizes Hokkaido and, for Atsu, represents the family she has lost.

Fox shared that engaging with the local community and generating new ideas during these trips enriched their experience. These journeys helped Sucker Punch "capture the spirit of the island in our fictional version." Acknowledging their initial lack of familiarity with Japanese culture, the team plans to share more on how they aim to address this gap.

As previously announced, Ghost of Yōtei is Sucker Punch's most ambitious project to date, eagerly anticipated by fans. The game is set to launch on October 2, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5. Stay tuned for more updates by checking out our related article below!