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

Sucker Punch, the creative minds behind Ghost of Yōtei, have unveiled the reasons behind selecting Hokkaido as the primary setting for their latest game. Dive into the details of how they meticulously recreate this Japanese region and gain insights into their immersive trips to Japan.

Ghost of Yōtei: Embracing Hokkaido as the Main Setting

A Sense of Authenticity to the Fictional Depiction of Real-Life Places

Ghost of Yōtei aims to bring the real-life charm of Japan into the gaming world, setting its narrative against the backdrop of Ezo, known today as Hokkaido. In a detailed PlayStation Blog post dated May 15, Sucker Punch's Game Director Nate Fox shed light on why the team chose Hokkaido as the setting for protagonist Atsu’s gripping journey.

Recreating authentic locations is a forte for Sucker Punch, as evidenced by their previous success with Tsushima Island in the first Ghost series game. Their efforts were highly praised by Japanese critics, leading to Game Director Nate Fox and Creative Director Jason Connell being honored as ambassadors of Tsushima Island for their respectful portrayal of its culture and history.

In 2021, Tsushima's Mayor Naoki Hitakatsu expressed gratitude for this recognition, stating, "Even a lot of Japanese people do not know the history of the Gen-ko period. When it comes to the world, the name and location of Tsushima is literally unknown, so I cannot thank them enough for telling our story with such phenomenal graphics and profound stories."

The team's approach remains consistent with their sequel, aiming to blend authenticity and believability into the fictional narrative. Hokkaido was chosen for its stunning beauty and its historical significance as the frontier of the Japanese empire in 1603. Fox highlighted that it was the ideal setting to narrate Atsu’s tale of revenge and the impact of her actions on public perception. He remarked, "If you’re going to tell a ghost story, do it in a dramatic location."

A Perfect Marriage of Beauty and Danger

To ensure an authentic portrayal, Sucker Punch embarked on two research trips to Japan. Nate Fox described these trips as the highlight of the development process. One notable visit was to Shiretoko National Park, where the team experienced the perfect blend of natural beauty and lurking danger.

This fusion of serene landscapes with the potential for peril captured the essence they wanted for Ghost of Yōtei. Fox shared, "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."

Another significant location they explored was Mt. Yōtei, known to the Ainu people as "Machineshir" or "the Female Mountain." The Ainu, indigenous to Hokkaido, have a deep reverence for nature, and Mt. Yōtei holds a sacred status among them. For the developers, this mountain not only symbolized Hokkaido but also represented the family Atsu lost.

Fox emphasized how enriching these trips were, engaging with locals and generating new ideas that breathed life into their fictional world. These experiences helped them "capture the spirit of it in our fictional version of the island." Acknowledging their initial unfamiliarity with Japanese culture, Sucker Punch is committed to sharing more about their efforts to address this.

As their most ambitious project to date, Ghost of Yōtei is generating significant buzz among fans. The game is set to launch on October 2, 2025, exclusively on the PlayStation 5. Stay tuned for further updates by checking out our related article below!