"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. Discover how they meticulously recreated Hokkaido in the game and the insights gained from their visits 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-life Japanese locales into their games, with Ezo (modern-day Hokkaido) serving as the backdrop for protagonist Atsu's journey. In a PlayStation Blog post dated May 15, Game Director Nate Fox elaborated on the selection of Hokkaido as the setting.

Sucker Punch is no stranger to recreating real places, 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 appointed ambassadors of Tsushima Island for their cultural storytelling.

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

The team's approach to Tsushima was one of respect and authenticity, a philosophy they carried over to Ghost of Yōtei. Fox explained that Hokkaido was chosen because it is "unbelievably beautiful and in 1603, it was the frontier of the Japanese empire." He believed it was the ideal setting for Atsu's tale of revenge, emphasizing how her actions shape perceptions of her. "If you're telling a ghost story, do it in a dramatic location," Fox remarked.

A Perfect Blend of Beauty and Danger

Fox highlighted the team's two trips to Japan, which were crucial for understanding the setting and its culture, describing these as the most rewarding part of the development process. One highlight was their visit to Shiretoko National Park, where they experienced the blend of natural beauty and inherent danger.

The park's serene yet perilous atmosphere perfectly encapsulated the dual nature they aimed to capture in the game. "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," Fox stated.

Another significant location was Mt. Yōtei, known to the Ainu people as "Machineshir" or "the Female Mountain." The Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, have a profound connection with nature and consider the mountain sacred. For the developers, Mt. Yōtei symbolizes Hokkaido and represents the family Atsu lost.

Fox shared that interacting with locals and brainstorming new ideas during their time on the island was enriching. These experiences enabled them to "capture the spirit of it in our fictional version of the island." Acknowledging their initial lack of understanding of Japanese culture, the team committed to further learning and improvement.

As previously announced, Ghost of Yōtei is set to be Sucker Punch's most ambitious project yet, and fans are eagerly anticipating its release. The game is slated to launch on October 2, 2025, exclusively on the PlayStation 5. Stay tuned for more updates by checking out our related articles below!