Silent Hill and Slitterhead creator Keiichiro Toyama is currently developing a completely new game.
During an interview with Famitsu at an exhibition showcasing Slitterhead's striking concept art, Toyama reflected on the horror title's reception, the experience of managing his own studio, and hinted at an upcoming, unannounced project already in the works.
Although Toyama emphasized that the studio is not solely focused on commercial success, he acknowledged that Bokeh Studios had hoped for stronger sales, despite the game gaining a cult following. He also noted some confusion over whether Slitterhead was primarily a horror or action game, which he believes affected its messaging, but expressed pride in the development team’s efforts to craft such a unique experience.
"Considering how long we can sustain this, it becomes a challenging question, especially when factoring in my age," Toyama stated, as translated by Automaton. "Still, I believe it's important to pass the baton to the next generation. As a studio, we’re not yet where we want to be—we're still on the journey."
So, what’s next for Toyama and his team?
“While I can't share specifics just yet, we've officially started developing our next title. Initially, we envisioned this studio as a space to explore diverse ideas—everything from supporting younger developers' visions to pursuing more lighthearted projects," he explained. He added that, despite the creative freedom afforded by Bokeh's indie status, the studio still faces limitations in pursuing every idea.
"Once again, we need to give it our all as a team and prove that we have what it takes. We're actively working toward that goal, though we're in the early stages. I'm confident we’ll be able to share more about the new game down the line."
Notably, Toyama made it clear that Slitterhead was not designed with a sequel in mind, indicating that his next project is not Slitterhead 2—though a follow-up isn't entirely off the table for the future.
IGN's review of Slitterhead was lukewarm, awarding it a 5/10: "Like a blade dulled after too many fights, Slitterhead loses its edge as it progresses and ultimately fails to deliver."
As for the Silent Hill series? Silent Hill f is the next major entry. While the franchise's J-horror identity has faded over the years, Silent Hill f aims to reclaim it, with a renewed focus on combat mechanics. Don't miss IGN’s Nick Limon, Matt Kim, and John Davison as they break down what this Japan-set installment means for the future of Silent Hill.
