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

Sucker Punch, the developers behind Ghost of Yōtei, share their inspiration for choosing Hokkaido as the game's primary setting. Delve into how they bring the essence of Hokkaido to life within the game and their enriching experiences from their journeys to Japan.

Ghost of Yōtei: Embracing Hokkaido as the Main Setting

Crafting Authenticity in a Fictional World

Ghost of Yōtei aims to immerse players in the real-life landscapes of Japan, setting the story in Ezo, now known as Hokkaido. In a detailed post on the PlayStation Blog dated May 15, Sucker Punch's Game Director Nate Fox elaborated on why the team selected Hokkaido as the backdrop for protagonist Atsu's journey.

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

In 2021, Tsushima's Mayor Naoki Hitakatsu expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, "Even many Japanese are unaware of the history of the Gen-ko period. Globally, Tsushima's name and location are largely unknown, so we are deeply thankful for sharing our story with such stunning visuals and profound narratives."

The team's approach for both Tsushima and the sequel, Ghost of Yōtei, is to create a respectful and authentic representation of these locations. For Ghost of Yōtei, Hokkaido was chosen for its breathtaking beauty and its historical significance as the frontier of the Japanese empire in 1603. Fox emphasized that this dramatic setting was ideal for Atsu's tale of revenge, highlighting 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 Danger

To ensure an authentic portrayal, Sucker Punch embarked on two research trips to Japan. Nate Fox highlighted these trips as the highlight of the development process. One of the key locations they visited was Shiretoko National Park, where they experienced a unique blend of natural beauty and inherent danger.

This juxtaposition of serene landscapes and lurking threats perfectly encapsulated the atmosphere they sought for Ghost of Yōtei. Fox shared, "A perfect marriage of beauty and danger, that was the exact feeling we wanted for our game. It was then that 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 lived in Hokkaido long before modern Japanese settlement, have a deep connection to nature and consider this mountain sacred. For the developers, Mt. Yōtei symbolizes Hokkaido, and for Atsu, it represents the family she has lost.

Fox noted that the interactions with locals and the inspiration drawn from the environment made these trips invaluable. The experiences helped Sucker Punch "capture the spirit of it in our fictional version of the island." Recognizing their initial lack of understanding of Japanese culture, the team is committed to learning and representing it accurately.

Ghost of Yōtei, set to be Sucker Punch's most ambitious project yet, will launch on October 2, 2025, exclusively on PlayStation 5. Stay tuned for more updates on this highly anticipated game by checking out our related articles below!