It’s always great news when legendary game creators stay active in the industry, especially in challenging times. Keiichiro Toyama — best known as the mind behind Silent Hill, Siren, and Gravity Rush — is one of those creators. In 2020, he founded Bokeh Game Studio and released a brand-new IP: Slitterhead.
As is often the case, the launch of a game marks the beginning of another development cycle. That’s exactly what’s happening now — but Toyama’s next title isn’t what fans were expecting.
Keiichiro Toyama Is Working on a New Game — But It’s Not Slitterhead 2
In an interview with Famitsu (via VGC), Toyama confirmed that he’s already working on a new project. Naturally, the announcement sparked excitement, given his reputation and creative legacy.
However, Toyama clarified that the new game will not be a sequel to Slitterhead, his latest horror-action IP. He believes it’s not the right time to return to that franchise — although he assured fans that there are plans to revisit it when the moment is right. For now, he’s proud of what Slitterhead accomplished, especially considering it came from a brand-new studio and IP.
According to Toyama, his upcoming title is highly ambitious and requires the full attention and resources of Bokeh Game Studio. Because of this, the team has postponed plans to work on smaller-scale projects.
Slitterhead Is Toyama’s Latest Creative Venture
Before founding Bokeh Game Studio in 2020, Toyama was a key figure at Japan Studio under PlayStation for over two decades. However, Sony eventually shut down the studio as it shifted focus toward big-budget, high-production games with strong commercial appeal.
Toyama, who had previously showcased his creative range with projects like Gravity Rush, found himself at odds with that vision. Wanting more creative freedom, he left to start his own studio. While Slitterhead has clear horror influences, it also blends in experimental design and action mechanics, making it a unique hybrid experience.
Stay tuned to LEVEL UP for more updates on Toyama’s new project and the latest in gaming and entertainment.