Bokeh Game Studio Explained

Bokeh Game Studio Inc.
Industry:Video games
Founded: in Tokyo, Japan

Bokeh Game Studio Inc. is a video game developer based in Tokyo, Japan. It was founded by Keiichiro Toyama following his departure from Sony Interactive Entertainment. They announced their first title, Slitterhead, at The Game Awards 2021.

History

Prior to the imminent disbandment of Project Siren, Keiichiro Toyama met with colleagues Sato Kazunobu and Junya Okura, whom he had worked with on the Silent Hill series, Siren series (and the latter on the Gravity Rush series) to discuss the possibility of forming their own independent studio. After months of negotiations with various parties, they registered the company in August 2020,[1] and made their announcement in December 2020.[2] Toyama would be CEO/Creator, while Okura would be CTO/Game Director and Sato as COO/Producer.

In February 2020, Toyama revealed on Bokeh Game Studio's YouTube Channel that their first project is an action-adventure game with horror elements, marking his return to the genre after more than a decade.[3] Producer Sato also revealed that the gameplay would force players to make "sacrifices", some of them being "quite nasty".[4]

On December 9, 2021, at The Game Awards 2021, they revealed the first teaser trailer for Slitterhead. On June 7, 2024 it was announced that Slitterhead would arrive on November 8, 2024.[5] It came with a gameplay trailer.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Haddick. Alicia. 2020-12-04. Bokeh Game Studio Founders Discuss Why They Left Sony's Japan Studio and Tease First Title in New Interview. 2022-01-06. OTAQUEST. en-US.
  2. Web site: LeBlanc. Wesley. 2021-11-01. Silent Hill, Gravity Rush Creator Forms New Studio With Sony Japan Studio Alum. 2022-01-06. IGN. en.
  3. Web site: 2021-02-15. Bokeh Game Studio CEO Keiichiro Toyama discusses first game in 'Focus' creator spotlight. 2022-01-06. Gematsu. en-US.
  4. Web site: Hirun Cryer. 2021-06-25. Bokeh Game Studio reveals horror game will "mess with the player's mind". 2022-01-06. gamesradar. en.
  5. Web site: Slitterhead Horror Game's Trailer Reveals November 8 Release for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X-S, PC. 2024-06-04. Anime News Network. Alex Mateo.