Keiichiro Toyama, the mastermind behind the inaugural installment of the Silent Hill game series, is gearing up to unveil a new work of gaming brilliance titled Slitterhead on November 8th. Toyama’s journey in the realm of gaming commenced with Konami on the creation of Silent Hill back in 1999, followed by a stint at Sony Japan Studio where he crafted the Siren series and Gravity Rush until 2020 (prior to the studio’s closure by Sony). Stepping out of the shadows, Toyama established his own venture named Bokeh Game Studio, with Slitterhead being the maiden project.
In essence, Slitterhead bears a striking semblance to the “Parasite” manga series. The game’s narrative revolves around monstrous insect-like creatures called Slitterhead, inhabiting human hosts. Players are tasked with controlling ethereal creatures called Hyoki, capable of leaping between various living entities (such as humans and animals) to combat the malevolent Slitterhead faction. The gameplay mechanics allow players to embody Hyoki, seamlessly transitioning between different life forms and exerting control over their physical vessels.
Set within the fictional metropolis of Kowlong (a fusion of Gangkok and Hong Kong), teeming with towering skyscrapers, the game’s non-linear gameplay offers players a degree of freedom within each scene, albeit constrained by budget limitations, thus not an open-world setup. Through the trailers, glimpses of intense action-packed showdowns between players and Slitterhead captivate the audience.
In an interview with VGC, Toyama expressed his aspiration to craft uniquely original games sans the need for exorbitant budgets, a luxury not always feasible within larger corporations like Sony, which often prioritize grand-scale high-budget projects. Upon breaking free to establish his own studio, Toyama relishes the liberty to pursue his creative vision unhindered.
Furthermore, Toyama perceives a niche in the gaming market for small-scale studio productions to seamlessly integrate amidst the dominance of live-service oriented games. Acknowledging the business models of major gaming entities, Toyama stresses the inherent necessity for the gaming industry to consistently offer innovative and distinct gaming experiences, ensuring survival by effectively managing development costs in this ever-evolving market landscape.
TLDR: Keiichiro Toyama, creator of Silent Hill, is launching a new game called Slitterhead on November 8th through his independent studio, Bokeh Game Studio. The game showcases a unique narrative revolving around monstrous entities and ethereal beings, offering players a non-linear gameplay experience set in the fictional city of Kowlong. Toyama aims to deliver original gaming experiences without the constraints of hefty budgets, emphasizing the need for specialized studio productions to thrive amidst the current gaming industry trends.
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