Silent Hill's Dad's Got a New Game Brewing (But He's Worried About His Back!)
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Keiichi Toyama, of Silent Hill fame, is working on a new game at Bokeh Game Studio, although it won't be a Slitterhead sequel, and he's pondering the future of the studio given his age, sparking industry-wide reflection on creative legacy.
Alright, listen up, horror fans! Keiichi Toyama, the bloke behind Silent Hill and the wonderfully weird *Slitterhead*, is cooking up something new over at Bokeh Game Studio. Before you start screaming for *Slitterhead 2: Electric Boogaloo*, hold your horses. He told Famitsu (cheers, Automaton!) that it won't be a sequel. Bugger.
Toyama's keeping schtum on the specifics, naturally. Says they're “in the beginning phase” and want to “prove they're up to the task.” Which, fair enough, I reckon we all want to feel like we haven't peaked, right? They're pouring everything into this new title, so hopefully, we'll get a proper look-see soon.
Now, *Slitterhead*… that was a strange one, wasn't it? Vikki Blake at Eurogamer called it "singular and unapologetically strange," and that pretty much nails it. But apparently, it didn't sell as well as Bokeh had hoped. Toyama reckons folks were a bit confused – was it a horror game? An action game? (Honestly, I was confused *and* I loved it.)
Thing is, Toyama's also been pondering the ol' mortality question. He mentioned his age and how he needs to "pass the baton to the next generation.” It's a sentiment echoed by gaming legends like Hideo Kojima and even Shigeru Miyamoto. Makes you think, eh? These guys have shaped entire worlds for us, and now they're thinking about who takes over when they… well, you know.
But don't get all maudlin on me! The fact that Toyama is thinking about succession means he's invested in the future of Bokeh and the games they'll create. That's a good thing! It’s like Gandalf finding a new apprentice, only with more tentacles and unsettling atmospheres (probably).
So, while we don't know exactly what this new project is, we can be sure it'll be something…interesting. Toyama's never been one for playing it safe, and that's exactly why we love him. Here's hoping he finds a worthy padawan to carry on the spooky legacy.
Tags: Silent Hill, Keiichi Toyama, Bokeh Game Studio, Slitterhead, Game Development
Original article: Eurogamer