Sucker Punch, the developers behind Ghost of Yōtei, explain their decision to set the game in Hokkaido. Discover how they're bringing this Japanese region to life and about their research trips to Japan.
Why Hokkaido Became Ghost of Yōtei's Primary Setting
A Commitment to Authenticity in Depicting Real Locations
Ghost of Yōtei continues Sucker Punch's tradition of recreating real Japanese locations, this time focusing on Ezo (modern Hokkaido). In a recent PlayStation Blog post, Game Director Nate Fox detailed why the team selected Hokkaido for protagonist Atsu's story.
Sucker Punch's first Ghost game successfully brought Tsushima Island to life, earning praise from Japanese audiences. Their work was so impactful that Fox and Creative Director Jason Connell were named ambassadors for the real Tsushima island.
In 2021, Tsushima Mayor Naoki Hitakatsu commended their work: "Most Japanese don't know Genko period history. Globally, Tsushima remained unknown until they told our story with incredible visuals and deep narratives."
The team applied the same respectful approach to Hokkaido in Ghost of Yōtei. Fox explained, "We aimed for authenticity in our fictional story." He described Hokkaido in 1603 as "stunningly beautiful yet at Japan's frontier," making it ideal for Atsu's revenge tale. "For a ghost story, you need a dramatic setting," Fox added.
Blending Beauty and Peril
The team made two research trips to Japan, with Shiretoko National Park particularly inspiring them. Fox noted how its breathtaking landscapes coexisted with wildlife dangers, creating "the perfect balance of beauty and peril we wanted for our game. That moment confirmed Hokkaido was right."
Mt. Yōtei (known as "Machineshir" to the Ainu people) became a key symbol in the game. Fox explained: "For the Ainu who first inhabited Hokkaido, this sacred mountain represents their deep connection with nature. For us, it symbolizes both Hokkaido and Atsu's lost family."
Their interactions with local communities helped "capture Hokkaido's essence in our game," though Fox acknowledges their limitations as non-Japanese developers. More details on addressing cultural representation will come later.
As Sucker Punch's largest project to date, Ghost of Yōtei launches October 2, 2025 exclusively for PlayStation 5. For current updates, check our latest coverage.
