Sucker Punch, the developers behind Ghost of Yōtei, explain why Hokkaido was chosen as the game's primary setting. Discover how they recreated Hokkaido's landscape in the game and the insights gained from their research visits to Japan.
Why Hokkaido Was Chosen as the Primary Setting for Ghost of Yōtei
Creating Authenticity in a Fictionalized Real-World Setting
Ghost of Yōtei continues the tradition of featuring real Japanese locations, this time focusing on Ezo, modern-day Hokkaido. In a PlayStation Blog post on May 15, Sucker Punch Game Director Nate Fox shared the team's reasoning behind selecting Hokkaido as the backdrop for protagonist Atsu's journey.
Recreating real-world locations is a familiar process for Sucker Punch, having previously brought Tsushima Island to life in the first Ghost game. The studio has established a strong reputation for this approach, earning praise from Japanese critics. In recognition of their work in promoting the island's culture and history, Fox and Creative Director Jason Connell were even appointed as ambassadors for the real Tsushima island.
In 2021, Tsushima Mayor Naoki Hitakatsu commented on this honor, stating, "Many Japanese people are unaware of the history of the Genko period. For the rest of the world, Tsushima's name and location are virtually unknown, so we are incredibly grateful that they shared our story with such stunning visuals and deep narrative."
The team aimed to portray Tsushima with respect, an approach they carried forward into the sequel. Their goal for both games has been "to create a sense of authenticity and believability within our fictional narrative."
Hokkaido was selected for Ghost of Yōtei because it is "breathtakingly beautiful and, in 1603, represented the frontier of the Japanese empire." Fox explained that it provided the ideal setting for Atsu's tale of vengeance, illustrating how her actions shape others' perceptions of her. He noted, "If you're telling a ghost story, it deserves a dramatic location."
Where Beauty and Danger Intersect
Fox mentioned that the team made two research trips to Japan to gather essential cultural and environmental details, which he described as one of the most rewarding aspects of development. One key location they visited was Shiretoko National Park, which uniquely combined stunning natural scenery with an underlying sense of peril.
The park's serene beauty, juxtaposed with the potential dangers of its wildlife, created a compelling blend of tranquility and challenge. "This perfect fusion of beauty and danger was exactly the atmosphere we wanted to capture in our game. For me, that visit confirmed Hokkaido was the right choice," Fox elaborated.
The team also visited Mount Yōtei, known as "Machineshir" or "the Female Mountain" by the Ainu people, the indigenous inhabitants of Hokkaido. The Ainu maintain a deep spiritual connection with nature and regard the mountain as sacred. For the developers, the mountain symbolizes both Hokkaido itself and the family Atsu has lost.
Fox reflected that the entire experience—engaging with local communities and brainstorming new ideas—made the trip deeply rewarding. Their visits to Japan enabled them to "capture the essence of the island in our fictional interpretation." As outsiders, the team acknowledged their limited understanding of Japanese culture and plan to share further details on how they addressed this challenge.
As previously announced, this will be the studio's most ambitious project to date, generating significant anticipation among fans. Ghost of Yōtei is scheduled for release on October 2, 2025, exclusively for PlayStation 5. For the latest updates, be sure to read our article below.
