Silent Hill 5 news: Akira Yamaoka interview

[NeoPlayStation]

http://ps3.qj.net/Akira-Yamaoka-talks-about-Silent-Hill-5/pg/49/aid/89948

Highlights:

We came across some good news for horror/survival fans today. In a recent interview with GamePro, Akira Yamaoka revealed a few of their plans for the next installment in Konami's popular Silent Hill series. Yamaoka producer the PC version of Silent Hill 3 and also worked as a sound director on the series.

According to Yamaoka, Silent Hill 5 will more or less resemble Silent Hill 2 " in the terms of the way the player is directed and the characters' behavior." There's also a strong chance that the game will be losing the camera angle used in Silent Hill: Origins. "I like it and agree with the choice for the [PSP], but I don't think that's the camera angle we want on a home console," said Yamaoka. "That way you don't see enough of the surroundings that really mean a lot to the player in Silent Hill."

As for which console the game will be released on, Yamaoka said that while details have yet to be finalized, they are currently thinking of putting the next canon game on next gen consoles like the PS3 and Xbox 360. "We have had a good past experience with Playstation," said Yamaoka, "and we hope to continue that trend, but there are no definite plans as of yet."

Full interview:

Akira talks Silent Hill 5 with GamePro
Someone has resently emailed me with an article from a German magazine GamePro in which Akira Yamaoka talks a little on the possiblity Silent Hill 5. They haven't yet replied when I asked for a scan so lets hope we get it soon.

Article (Poorly translated, sorry):

"Fans of the famous horror franchise Silent Hill will be happy to know that we have managed to get a short talk with Akira Yamaoka (Sound Director, PC version "Silent Hill 3" Producer) who will have a great role in the making on Silent Hil 5, we are happy to report.

GamePro: Akira, its good to have you here to dicuss. Silent Hill has a very unique fanbase caused by the obvious unique style and settings of the games, will this be continued in Silent Hill 5?

Akira: At the moment I cannot reveal much detail on the story, or our progress, but I can tell you that this game will resemble Silent Hill 2 in the terms of the way the player is directed and the characters' behavoir.

GamePro: Despute is over the console which SH5 will appear on. Does Konami Digital Entertainment have any plans or ideas of the platform which Silent Hill 5 will be?

Akira: At this time we are still not sure. We are thinking of putting the next canon game on the next generation consoles like Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, but we have had a good past experience with Playstation [where the series was born] and we hope to continue that trend, but there are no definate plans as of yet.

GamePro: Will the gameplay aspect be a resemblance of Silent Hill: Origins or remain as far as the series is?

Akira: Everything is draft at the moment, but we might not copy the Silent Hill: Origins. That is not our intention as a different studio is inventing Silent Hill: Origins.

GamePro: You sound displeased with the new system?

Akira: I dont mind it, infact I like it and agree with the choice for the Playstation Portable System, but I dont think thats the camera angle we want on a home console. That way you don't see enough of the surroundings that really mean alot to the player in Silent Hill.

GamePro: Will you be composing the music as well as directing?

Akira: I have considered the sound directing offer, however nothing is 100% on the project, though I do hope it can be arranged.

GamePro: Thank you for joining us in this short interview Akira, we and all the fans of Silent Hill are extremly excited about the next installment.

[Smokey]

this i cant wait for either :)

[OmniCloud]

Give X360 guys a port dammit!!!!

J/k

Or am I?:shifty:

[KRA]

i wish it has some more info. it is like i was reading but havent read nothing. don't know if my english makes any sense but whatever.

[Smokey]

Give X360 guys a port dammit!!!!

J/k

Or am I?:shifty:

but make it a choppy one :evil:

[Viano]

darn it they gonna get another box set!

[masteratt]

Fuck sake all the things Sony done for these games, someone stay loyal please?

Either way, I love Silent Hill games and looking forward to this one :thumpsup:

[Kabbage]

Fuck sake all the things Sony done for these games, someone stay loyal please?

Either way, I love Silent Hill games and looking forward to this one :thumpsup: It is only loyalty when they throw in a hat full of money. Loyalty is a dead concept in this industry.

[KRA]

it is funny as many people thinks that playstation lost exclusivity.
and many games weren't exclusive at all.
they were on ps2 only just becasue it is best selling console.

haven't silent hill been released on pc anyway ?.
and loyality is great but sadlly have nothing common with buisness.

[Rip3001]

This game should end up on PS3, 360, and PC.

[cliffbo]

next generation is certainly going down the plug hole... another smaller than necessary game coming up fellas

[rpgamer_2k5]

This game won't sell on the PC and Xbox 360. Its kind of interesting developers are extremely optimistic about this multi-platform strategy.

Mark my words - it won't sell.

Now Resistance or Gran Turismo going multi-platform would sell. Then Sony will really have to give a damn.

[Z]

one of my most anticipated titles. there are only a handful of games that are in the level of SH. these very few don't even feel like games, but have their own place in my heart. they are very 'special'.
but this interview gives me nothing.

Fuck sake all the things Sony done for these games, someone stay loyal please?
it will obviously appear on its fanbase's system of choice's successor; PS3.
Either way, I love Silent Hill games and looking forward to this one :thumpsup:

It is only loyalty when they throw in a hat full of money. Loyalty is a dead concept in this industry.
paying isn't the only way to get exclusives. do you think Sony payed to have thousands of games exclusive for their platforms?
another strong factor that determine exclusivity is where the fanbase is allocated. this series will still be primarily directed to Sony fans. a PS3 game is obvious. whether the title will appear on other systems as well is another matter. look at DMC and AC.
it is funny as many people thinks that playstation lost exclusivity.
and many games weren't exclusive at all.
they were on ps2 only just becasue it is best selling console.

haven't silent hill been released on pc anyway ?.
and loyality is great but sadlly have nothing common with buisness.
and on Box as well. in fact, it has very good extras, most notably being able to play with that female character. this was SH2. Box didn't see any SH games before or after that. even PC only saw three games.

[KRA]

and on Box as well. in fact, it has very good extras, most notably being able to play with that female character. this was SH2. Box didn't see any SH games before or after that. even PC only saw three games.

so in sh on box you can play female character ?!
wow nice. didn't know that. it makes me wonder what female was it and how the hell they make it fit the story.

[Z]

so in sh on box you can play female character ?!
wow nice. didn't know that. it makes me wonder what female was it and how the hell they make it fit the story.
well, there was only one adult female and one little girl. you played the woman that keeps bumping into you.
you don't play with her the entire game, only at selected parts. other than that, the game had I think little extras like concept are, developer comments and the likes. you can check its review on IGN or another site to see what the package offered exactly.

I also do not know how the game performed technically. I know MGS2 has issues on Box. that was another Konami port so take it for what its worth. look it up to be sure if you are interested.

PS. there was also a GBA SH game called 'Novel Play' or Novel Story or something. I have no idea what that one was about.

[KRA]

well, there was only one adult female and one little girl. you played the woman that keeps bumping into you.
you don't play with her the entire game, only at selected parts. other than that, the game had I think little extras like concept are, developer comments and the likes. you can check its review on IGN or another site to see what the package offered exactly.

I also do not know how the game performed technically. I know MGS2 has issues on Box. that was another Konami port so take it for what its worth. look it up to be sure if you are interested.

PS. there was also a GBA SH game called 'Novel Play' or Novel Story or something. I have no idea what that one was about.

thanks for info. it is interesting. but anyway i don't have xbox and don't intend to have one :)

[EvilTaru]

This game won't sell on the PC and Xbox 360. Its kind of interesting developers are extremely optimistic about this multi-platform strategy.

Mark my words - it won't sell.

Now Resistance or Gran Turismo going multi-platform would sell. Then Sony will really have to give a damn.

The series itself doesn't sell much on ANY platform, after SH2 there's only moderate interest from the Playstation userbase at this point, of course it sold like complete shit on the xbox and PC even though there are obviously people from those camp who would feint interest, frankly the series has gone downhill since 3 and it doesn't look like it will ever recover, with 4 KCET completely mishandled the IP and there isn't a whole lot of talent left at Team Silent anyway, Sato and Toyama have both left for a LONG time.

Developers and publishers think that by making a game multiplatform they will sell more copies but it doesn't always work that way for every game, it's not all that logical but sometimes when an IP goes multiplatform it just gets lost amongst all the other multiplatform IPs out there, instead of selling 500-600k on one platform, you might end up having 200-300k on a couple of platforms in a good scenario, and sometimes much less, and the userbase on each platform kind of thins out over time when new and exciting IPs come out on each. My guess is that's exactly what happened to SH when they tried to multiplatform SH2, they sold more copies but they also thin out their PS2 userbase and when SH3 comes around even though it's exclusive again, it was already too late because it's no longer viewed as a platform-exclusive staple. This might be frustrating to some and some might call people who lost interest in the series as idiots or whatnot but it's very much a factor. The Playstation userbase never again embraced series like SH, Soul Calibur or even Resident Evil with the kind of enthusiasm they did when those were exclusive franchises. What publishers have to keep in mind is that you multiplatform a sku, that sku has to compete with exclusives on the other platform as well and if you can't get a foothold and you lose the exclusivity edge, you're completely ****ed on two fronts, people are not always logical when it comes to buying stuff or else we wouldn't have cases where great games fail while buggy games sell millions.

I don't get your last statement because the whole reason of having a first-party published title is that it's only available on your platform so people have no choice but to buy your platform in order to play the game, it has nothing to do with giving a damn, if they really give a damn they would make even more first-party exclusive titles.

[Jay Gee]

it is funny as many people thinks that playstation lost exclusivity.
and many games weren't exclusive at all.
they were on ps2 only just becasue it is best selling console.
Uh, hence the exclusivity?!?!? LOL If logic was a swift kick to the balls...

[EvilTaru]

Fuck sake all the things Sony done for these games, someone stay loyal please?

Either way, I love Silent Hill games and looking forward to this one :thumpsup:

Maybe KCET is still pissed Sony took Toyama from them and gave him a team to do whatever he wants?

[LiquidEagle]

Hell, I really liked 3 and 4 had some cool ideas and great music as usual. So far each one stands out to me as having contributed something very different, and I've been waiting for 5 for a long time -- can't wait.

[Pluto]

I don't even want to imagine what Silent Hill is going to be like in next-gen..

Pyramid head still gives me nightmares.

[Steemo]

The Box version of SH2 had a sub-mission called Restless Dreams where you play as Maria, a major character in the main mission. This sub-mission was about an hour long at most and didn't tell you much more of the story, however interesting it was. This sub-mission is also included on the Greatest Hits version of SH2 for PS2.

The Play Novel was released only in Japan. The idea is the Silent Hill experience in a text and image, menu based format.. Sort of a choose-your-own-adventure story. In addition, it has a sub-story about a character named Andy who was supposedly hiding in the back seat of Harry's car. I've played it before through emulation, I know there's a website somewhere that put it into a flash movie of sorts, I'll see if I can find it.

As far as exclusivity goes.. It's like how X360 games are now being ported to PS3.. Only the opposite. SH games were usually optimized for Sony systems first and then ported to Xbox. I hope this trend continues.

As far as Toyama leaving, I'M STILL PISSED. Toyama made SH1 the amazing experience it is. As much as I enjoy the sequels, no game holds the special place in my heart like Silent Hill 1.

Can anyone tell that I'm PSYCHED for any new Silent Hill information at all?

[cliffbo]

if anyone wants to blame anyone for all of these games going multi platform, blame the fud spread by the media. they have made devs nervous IMO, so i have to say 'well done' to whoever motivated them... but long term, watch out for Sony's checkmate

[LaLiLuLeLo]

*smacks forehead*

Actually. More of the blame can go to skyrocketing development costs. And a lack of incentive for exclusivity.

[Z]

Hell, I really liked 3 and 4 had some cool ideas and great music as usual. So far each one stands out to me as having contributed something very different, and I've been waiting for 5 for a long time -- can't wait.
true. my only problem is that 1 and 3 are the only ones that really tell you about the game world itself. the others were good, but just not revealing story wise.
I am talking about the demon world.

The Box version of SH2 had a sub-mission called Restless Dreams where you play as Maria, a major character in the main mission. This sub-mission was about an hour long at most and didn't tell you much more of the story, however interesting it was. This sub-mission is also included on the Greatest Hits version of SH2 for PS2.

I didn't know PS2 got it as well afterwards. thanks for the info.
if anyone wants to blame anyone for all of these games going multi platform, blame the fud spread by the media. they have made devs nervous IMO, so i have to say 'well done' to whoever motivated them... but long term, watch out for Sony's checkmate
press won't have that much effect on business decisions as big as system support. these are transition times, and as with every transition period before and after, a lot of publishers spread their love to decrease loss chances and increase profit ones. after fanbases begin to materialize, you can expect more defined project for each system and exclusives would be better lined.

[EvilTaru]

The Box version of SH2 had a sub-mission called Restless Dreams where you play as Maria, a major character in the main mission. This sub-mission was about an hour long at most and didn't tell you much more of the story, however interesting it was. This sub-mission is also included on the Greatest Hits version of SH2 for PS2.

The Play Novel was released only in Japan. The idea is the Silent Hill experience in a text and image, menu based format.. Sort of a choose-your-own-adventure story. In addition, it has a sub-story about a character named Andy who was supposedly hiding in the back seat of Harry's car. I've played it before through emulation, I know there's a website somewhere that put it into a flash movie of sorts, I'll see if I can find it.

As far as exclusivity goes.. It's like how X360 games are now being ported to PS3.. Only the opposite. SH games were usually optimized for Sony systems first and then ported to Xbox. I hope this trend continues.

As far as Toyama leaving, I'M STILL PISSED. Toyama made SH1 the amazing experience it is. As much as I enjoy the sequels, no game holds the special place in my heart like Silent Hill 1.

Can anyone tell that I'm PSYCHED for any new Silent Hill information at all?

SH1 is still my favorite, I only wish Toyama has a better team over at Sony developing those Siren games because they could have been something really special, they're actually scarier than the last two SH games but technically both games could be better. The worst thing that happened to Team Silent besides Toyama leaving was Sato being first shipped to the US and then KCET decided against his concept for Silent Hill 3 and Sato's studio having to close afterwards.

[totobeni]

SH1 is still my favorite, I only wish Toyama has a better team over at Sony developing those Siren games, they're actually more scary than the last two SH games but technically both games could be better. The worst thing that happened to Team Silent besides Toyama leaving was Sato being first shipped to the US and then KCET decided against his concept for Silent Hill 3 and Sato's studio having to close afterwards.

team siren members ( Keiichiro Toyama, Naoko Sato, Junya Ohkura, Kohei Nanri ) are the best ..

without them look how bad Silent Hill 4 was ...and i don't think they can do anything now ..

just skip SH5 and wait for Siren 3 ( or whatever new from sony's former konami guys )

[Segitz]

Tbh, I liked 3 much more than 2. 4 otoh was crap. The fps sections were bland and the story was very cheesy.

[Kabbage]

Good thing I have never bought a Silent Hill game, or I'd give more of a shit.

[AC!D]

Ive got to say guys for me i see Jericho being the scariest game ever made on a console. Damn! those twisted screens are really nasty and it's from the twisted mind of Clive Barker. I think they shoulda started from scratch on silent hill 5 and i also think the director saying it will play like silent hill 2 doesn't say much for the game. This is next gen and i want next gen horror

[AC!D]

Some hands on news with the psp version.
http://gameinformer.com/News/Story/200704/N07.0420.1747.34108.htm

[VG Aficionado]

Some hands on news with the psp version.
http://gameinformer.com/News/Story/200704/N07.0420.1747.34108.htmWhat are you waiting for to post that in the PSP section and get +repped? :-p

[LiquidEagle]

I really liked 4. The First-person view really took control over the player and what was visible to them, making it a much more immersive experience IMO. The problem I have with 3 (and mainly 4) is that they had less and less to do with the town of Silent Hill itself. However, I think it's kept the great feel among its characters through their stories and how things are presented, and that's what I think really sets Silent Hill apart. I'm nowhere near ready to write off any Silent Hill, and I friggin' loved the movie (though I can understand why somebody who never played the games wouldn't like the movie)

[VG Aficionado]

I always wanted to play the series properly, but since I never found SH for PS1 (I played the demo that came with MGS1 though, and the movie was faithful to it!), I didn't end up buying the PS2 titles :cry2:

[LiquidEagle]

I definitely recommend playing them in order, and I'd say 1 & 3 were the scariest (personally... but that depends a lot on opinion), but 2 was also great and 4 did some really interesting things that were maybe not as scary, but were fitting within the Silent Hill universe.

[Z]

4 was great in gameplay for me. it had less and simpler puzzles, but the action was much better. I actually finihsed the entire game without using a single firearm or firing a single shot! it is all with that metal bar. yes, even for the bosses. :)

but I really love the actually story and atmosphere of the game. concerning the first, only SH1&3 gave us anything worth while. and the multiple ending need to be very relevant like SH1. the endings in SH2 were a joke. the whole game was a joke. the only good part was that fantastic music that played in that very touching moment where the little girl entered the hotel room and saw you watching that video. that was basically the entire SH2 experience right there.

there is a lot of potential in SH. compared to it, games like RE are a joke, imo.
talking about actual horror; only, and I mean only' Fatal Frame can actually get me scared. I love that series. hope Tecmo gives it a serious budget, tools and team to really show its magic on PS3. the PS3 project was already confirmed since around 05. :)

[Steemo]

I agree with you. Silent Hill 2 is probably the most overrated game of all time.

[agentorange]

For sure this one will be a multi console game