WhenSlitterheadwas first announced, it was clear Bokeh Game Studio didn’t have a lot to say yet. While its reveal trailer promises an action-packed horror experience, the trailer doesn’t go into details about the game’s protagonist, its overarching plot, or gameplay. It seemed likely thatSlitterhead,a creation ofSilent Hillfounder Keiichiro Toyama, would remain behind closed doors for a while after its announcements, giving Bokeh Game Studio time to work. However, it now looks like new details onSlitterheadcould be right around the corner.
Bokeh Game Studio recently announced on Twitter that it’s planning to do an AMA, and it encouraged fans to comment with questions about the studio andSlitterhead, many of which will be answered in a YouTube video scheduled to release in early February. Lots of developers do AMAs, butBokeh Game Studio’s AMAis unique in that both the studio and its game are industry newcomers. Giving fans the chance to ask questions directly at this stage is a bold move, and that show of confidence may be a good sign forSlitterhead’s future.
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AfterSlitterheadmade a splash at The Game Awards 2021, Toyama and the rest of Bokeh offered standard insights on the game. In December, Toyama told IGN Japan that the game will have significant action components, pitting players against gruesome monsters that can disguise themselves as humans, and it will all be from a third-person perspective. He alsoshed light onSlitterhead’s setting, which takes inspiration from Hong Kong during the 1980s and 1990s. Overall though, Toyama made it clear that there’s a lot aboutSlitterheadhe can’t - or won’t - say yet, which suggested fans should expect silence.
The upcoming AMA sends the opposite message. It seems like Bokeh will actually be very public about progress on its game. While the AMA won’t necessarily come with a gameplay reveal or a new trailer, it’s likely that Bokeh will answer at leasta few new questions aboutSlitterhead,potentially regarding its similarities toSilentHillor innovative new mechanics that Toyama has promised. Running an AMA so soon after announcingSlitterheadsuggests Bokeh wants to engage closely with its fans, being more open aboutSlitterhead’s progress throughout development.
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A Good Omen for Slitterhead
Questions aboutSlitterheadhave already started pouring in on the announcement tweet. Bokeh welcoming those questions bodes well forSlitterheadbecause it shows Bokeh’s confidence in the game’s current status and direction. Choosing to arrange the AMA is also a great move for Bokeh as a young game studio. This is an opportunity forthe team ofSilent Hillveteransand new staffers to bond withSlitterhead’s potential audience, get a sense of what players would like to see in the game, and refine it to suit players' tastes. That kind of communication gives fans a good reason to trust Bokeh and follow its work closely.
It’s not a big deal if Bokeh avoids answering big questions aboutSlitterheadin the AMA, like when it might be on track to release. The event sets a standard for Bokeh’s eagerness to discussSlitterheadpublicly, which is arguably far more important in the long-run. If Bokeh gives frequent updates about the game, it can keep fans from getting anxious aboutSlitterhead’s status and make the horror title stick in the game industry’s mind. Hopefully Bokeh’s AMA will bothgive fans a better picture ofSlitterheadand kick off a long line of similar discussions.
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