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[Loomy]

MinnMax's Ben Hanson interviews Ghost of Yōtei's co-creative director Nate Fox about the upcoming PlayStation 5 open-world adventure. We talk about Atsu, whether there any connections to Jin from Ghost of Tsushima, and share new details on the gameplay and combat. We also talk to Nate about Sly Cooper, Infamous, and a whole lot more.

Summary of most interesting points

• 'Some' parts of the open world are gated by progression but not many
• Critical Path is longer than Tsushima
• All hungover from popping champagne after the delays of GTA VI (tongue in cheek)
• Dev prefers Tenchu to Ninja Gaiden or Shinobi
• Boss order is a 'diamond' shape rather than sequential
• No replaying of individual missions

Spoiler: Possible spoiler of protagonist fate

Can keep playing after credits roll

Spoiler: Possible spoiler of wolf fate

No comment on if the wolf dies

• Didn't answer if there was only one playable character in Yotei
• Hope the flower streams and wind will inspire other devs to look into the game world for navigation
• Reasonable platinum
• No appetite for a VR game - was going to be based on Jin's haiku moments
• Unlock different weapons by discovering sensei's
• Find ammo in the open world
• Can pick your weapon up after being disarmed
• More than 6 'boss/big fights'
• No option to spare any of the Yotei 6
• Fox dens return
• Bamboo strikes return
• You can paint with the touchpad on PS5
• Coin flipping mini game
• You will see Atsu's butt a la Jin
• Missions have their own picture card to inspire you
• Lo-Fi music will be mainly coming in when exploring rather than perists into combat
• Rewards for having deeper relationships with friends in the wolf pack
• Aurora Borealis - Yes!
• Dev cried once during development
• Sly 1 was the most intense development cycle
• Does not consider SP a two tier studio (Legends/Campaign)
• Doesn't rule out DLC
• A very big number of playable flashbacks, no weapon use during these flashbacks as a child
• Story starts with revenge is good and brings happiness/contentment
• Atsu not related nor knows of Jin
• Refused to answer if Jin was a 'legend' in this world
• Set 300 years after Tsushima, Jin is dead - no refrences to Tsushima
• Estimates only 10% of the studio would be hyped to produce another Sly Cooper (studio is much different with different personnel)
• There is 'something' about the wolf - would not answer if there is a skill tree fotr the wolf (despite screenshot listing them)
• Wolf doesn't sound directly controllable
• The wolf is always there but not visible when on horseback etc
• Horse can jump and get a bit of a speed boost and 'air steer'
• Ranks the infamous games in order of release for greatness (Infamous 1, Infamous 2, Infamous: SS)
• Last meeting about movie was 3 months ago
• No pitches for ghost of modern day
• No demo for release (possibly ever)

 

[kazuyamishima]

Sly Cooper:

 

[Rush2112]

Question: Why did it take 6 years to make the same game?

 

[Mister Wolf]

Why didnt you add RTGI to your engine?

 

[Memati187]

Question: Why did it take 6 years to make the same game?

It's not the same game, it has significant changes:

- a stronger, more charismatic protagonist
- more colourful world
- a stronger, more charismatic protagonist
- 3 more weapons
- a stronger, more charismatic protagonist
- with a revenge story never seen before
- a stronger, more charismatic protagonist
- graphics same but not the same (exclusive feature)
- oh and did I mention the stronger, more charismatic protagonist?

 

[Thief1987]

Question: Why did it take 6 years to make the same game?

Not eight at least

 

[mckmas8808]

Why didnt you add RTGI to your engine?

Because it RUNS better without it.

 

[Mister Wolf]

Because it RUNS better without it.

And looks worse compared to Shadows, Avatar, and Outlaws. Way worse.

 

[mckmas8808]

And looks worse compared to Shadows, Avatar, and Outlaws. Way worse.

Image quality and how something runs matters too. We'll see which game out of all 4 people like the most in a month.

 

[TheAtomicPile]

Well here it is guys, the smoking gun. Question 97:

Tell me about the choice to feature a female protagonist in a genre traditionally centered around male characters. Was this a narrative decision, a marketing strategy, or something else entirely?

We felt like it was time. It's our responsibility to avoid repeating the same tired stories. Historically, female samurai existed, but you never see that represented in video games. It's always about a man with a sword. Especially as a white man, I feel I've been centered in these narratives for so long that I have to step aside and give the spotlight to someone else.

I know it's probably not enough, but it's a start. We're just trying to do our part, to atone for all the past games made by people like me. I just hope the fans appreciate it.

 

[The_hunter]

Well here it is guys, the smoking gun. Question 97:

I didn't see this question in the video

 

[miller152]

Well here it is guys, the smoking gun. Question 97:

Funny thing is Jin is not even white, he's an Asian male protagonist which is probably to only ethnicity where female characters have gotten more representation over the years than male ones.

 

[viveks86]

Atsu's butt confirmed! Why is there no thread on it yet? Also bravo SP for having the balls

 

[Boo Who?]

Well here it is guys, the smoking gun. Question 97:

If that is indeed true, hard pass. My money does not need to go to another dev with the mind virus.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Well here it is guys, the smoking gun. Question 97:

Tell me about the choice to feature a female protagonist in a genre traditionally centered around male characters. Was this a narrative decision, a marketing strategy, or something else entirely?

We felt like it was time. It's our responsibility to avoid repeating the same tired stories. Historically, female samurai existed, but you never see that represented in video games. It's always about a man with a sword. Especially as a white man, I feel I've been centered in these narratives for so long that I have to step aside and give the spotlight to someone else.

I know it's probably not enough, but it's a start. We're just trying to do our part, to atone for all the past games made by people like me. I just hope the fans appreciate it.


i hope this is not true but if it's :

a man (white) stripped of all the masculinity (toxic/white guilt) is a very sad and pathetic sight.


Internet army!!!! nuke. this. shit!!!

 

[Sebastian1295]

Question: Why did it take 6 years to make the same game?

Are we talking about nintendo or sucker punch?

 

[Clear]

Why didnt you add RTGI to your engine?

Probably because its a stupidly expensive effect that has zero gameplay value, and they'd rather use the budget on other aspects.

 

[viveks86]

Funny thing is Jin is not even white, he's an Asian male protagonist which is probably to only ethnicity where female characters have gotten more representation over the years than male ones.

If that is indeed true, hard pass. My money does not need to go to another dev with the mind virus.

I recommend watching the video

Tell me about the choice to feature a female protagonist in a genre traditionally centered around male characters. Was this a narrative decision, a marketing strategy, or something else entirely?

We felt like it was time. It's our responsibility to avoid repeating the same tired stories. Historically, female samurai existed, but you never see that represented in video games. It's always about a man with a sword. Especially as a white man, I feel I've been centered in these narratives for so long that I have to step aside and give the spotlight to someone else.

I know it's probably not enough, but it's a start. We're just trying to do our part, to atone for all the past games made by people like me. I just hope the fans appreciate it.


i hope this is not true but if it's :

a man (white) stripped of all the masculinity (toxic/white guilt) is a very sad and pathetic sight.


Internet army!!!! nuke. this. shit!!!

I know, right! These devs are disgusting. Let's make a thread on it!

 

[Sticks]

A middle aged bald white guy? What studio is dis

 

[DenchDeckard]

I want Nate fox to narrate to me about a dystopian future.

 

[Loomy]

I want Nate fox to narrate to me about a dystopian future.

Did you know he was tear gassed once? lol

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Did you know he was tear gassed once? lol

What is that supposed to mean?

 

[DenchDeckard]

Did you know he was tear gassed once? lol

 

[DenchDeckard]

What is that supposed to mean?

You missed out on one of the best e3 speeches ever?

 

[JoduanER2]

Question: Is diversity and inclusion one of your main goals? Why a female samurai? Who asked for this?

 

[vpance]

Well here it is guys, the smoking gun. Question 97:

I know it's probably not enough, but it's a start. We're just trying to do our part, to atone for all the past games made by people like me. I just hope the fans appreciate it.

Gd Nate I knew you were always cringe but this is too far.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

You missed out on one of the best e3 speeches ever?

ja ja ja ja. I remember. But isn't that funny? Back then, no one cried woke. That agenda wasn't pushed nearly this heavily.

But what I am talking about is the implication that, because this dev was tear gassed once, now he is the chosen one.

 

[Loomy]

What is that supposed to mean?

You didn't even watch the video in this thread! lol (there was no question 97 or question about white Atsu is a woman, btw)

Anyways, back when the PS4 was announced, Nate Fox got on stage and introduced InFamous Second Son for the first time. As part of the intro, he told a story about being part of a riot in Seattle in the 90s. He talked about the police throwing tear gas at them. The camera work during that segment was funny.

They referenced that in this video as well. You should give it a watch.

 

[Memati187]

Atsu's butt confirmed! Why is there no thread on it yet? Also bravo SP for having the balls

You don't want a thread about THAT:

 

[Loomy]

You missed out on one of the best e3 speeches ever?

It was the PS4 reveal. They took dramatic lighting to a whole new level lol

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

Especially as a white man, I feel I've been centered in these narratives for so long that I have to step aside and give the spotlight to someone else.

As a white American man, you feel stories about Japanese east Asian men have been centred in you? Wut!?!

This retarded self-hatred of woke leftist American men is so fucking pathetic.

 

[Loomy]

But what I am talking about is the implication that, because this dev was tear gassed once, now he is the chosen one.

He was referencing being tear gassed during a protest, and the "surveillance state" and loss of freedom in the name of "security" that happened post 9/11. It was a bit overdramatic, but it was relevant to Second Son.

 

[Loomy]

As a white American man, you feel stories about Japanese east Asian men have been centred in you? Wut!?!

This retarded self-hatred of woke leftist American men is so fucking pathetic.

Fake post meant to rage bait and derail. Nowhere in the video is any of that mentioned. They mostly talked story, gameplay, and Sly Cooper

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

You didn't even watch the video in this thread! lol (there was no question 97 or question about white Atsu is a woman, btw)

ohhh so its a meme.

Anyways, back when the PS4 was announced, Nate Fox got on stage and introduced InFamous Second Son for the first time. As part of the intro, he told a story about being part of a riot in Seattle in the 90s. He talked about the police throwing tear gas at them. The camera work during that segment was funny.

They referenced that in this video as well.

I remember.

You should give it a watch.

So there is not going to be drama because of this video, then. Ok. The internet army will find a way anyway.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

He was referencing being tear gassed during a protest, and the "surveillance state" and loss of freedom in the name of "security" that happened post 9/11. It was a bit overdramatic, but it was relevant to Second Son.

I remember people making fun of it, but I don't recall any real drama over that topic

 

[Loomy]

So there is not going to be drama because of this video, then. Ok. The internet army will find a way anyway.

You would think lol, but everyone got rage baited by a troll post, so who knows how this is going to go.

 

[Loomy]

I remember people making fun of it, but I don't recall any real drama over that topic

There was no drama, but at some point the lighting on stage changed to this..

The performance was dramatic, not the response to it. People mostly shrugged it off or made fun of it.

 

[LordCBH]

Well here it is guys, the smoking gun. Question 97:

That's the single most retarded answer to that question that could have been made.

The only correct answer to a question like that would be "because we wanted to."

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

You would think lol, but everyone got rage baited by a troll post, so who knows how this is going to go.

.... I wonder if this game launches without any drama and quietly fades from the conversation; that might actually be worse. There would be nothing to blame for its lackluster commercial performance

 

[Loomy]

.... I wonder if this game launches without any drama and quietly fades from the conversation; that might actually be worse. There would be nothing to blame for its lackluster commercial performance

I think it will do both those things. Unless the story is mindblowing, then that's what everyone will be talking about.

I think the people concerned about an outward agenda will not talk about it because I truly do not believe Sucker Punch is making that kind of game, and the people who don't think that way weren't going to talk about it anyways.

Like I've said a few times, the worst thing I can say about this game so far is that it doesn't look any worse than Tsushima. If that's all it has going for it, then it'll be forgotten very quickly outside of the inevitable screenshots thread. So the story/performances has to be outstanding..

 

[joey Dubs]

I have an opinion but it doesn't mean anything so yeah.

 

[Saber]

Well here it is guys, the smoking gun. Question 97:

We felt like it was time. It's our responsibility to avoid repeating the same tired stories. Historically, female samurai existed...

 

[viveks86]

You don't want a thread about THAT:

lol. Touché!

 

[Heisenberg007]

Question: Why did it take 6 years to make the same game?

6 years? The math isn't mathing, bro.

Ghost of Tsushima was released in 2020.
Ghost of Tsushima DLC was released in 2021.

Now Ghost of Yotei is releasing in 2025.

2025-2021 = 4 years.

 

[Zathalus]

Incredibly easy to outrage gullible people the thread.

 

[mdkirby]

Well here it is guys, the smoking gun. Question 97:

Oh Jesus. Also literally every western developer made this decision at the same fucking time too without consulting any other studio, and now every game of this ilk has eliminated their primary audience as protagonists (remakes and kojima games aside).

 

[GymWolf]

Lmao every time i watch this thing they do 120 useless questions, 5 good questions but they can usually only answer 1-2 of them to not spoiler things.

Is this the same?

 

[cormack12]

Summary of most interesting points

• 'Some' parts of the open world are gated by progression but not many
• Critical Path is longer than Tsushima
• All hungover from popping champagne after the delays of GTA VI (tongue in cheek)
• Dev prefers Tenchu to Ninja Gaiden or Shinobi
• Boss order is a 'diamond' shape rather than sequential
• No replaying of individual missions

Spoiler: Possible spoiler of protagonist fate

Can keep playing after credits roll

Spoiler: Possible spoiler of wolf fate

No comment on if the wolf dies

• Didn't answer if there was only one playable character in Yotei
• Hope the flower streams and wind will inspire other devs to look into the game world for navigation
• Reasonable platinum
• No appetite for a VR game - was going to be based on Jin's haiku moments
• Unlock different weapons by discovering sensei's
• Find ammo in the open world
• Can pick your weapon up after being disarmed
• More than 6 'boss/big fights'
• No option to spare any of the Yotei 6
• Fox dens return
• Bamboo strikes return
• You can paint with the touchpad on PS5
• Coin flipping mini game
• You will see Atsu's butt a la Jin
• Missions have their own picture card to inspire you
• Lo-Fi music will be mainly coming in when exploring rather than perists into combat
• Rewards for having deeper relationships with friends in the wolf pack
• Aurora Borealis - Yes!
• Dev cried once during development
• Sly 1 was the most intense development cycle
• Does not consider SP a two tier studio (Legends/Campaign)
• Doesn't rule out DLC
• A very big number of playable flashbacks, no weapon use during these flashbacks as a child
• Story starts with revenge is good and brings happiness/contentment
• Atsu not related nor knows of Jin
• Refused to answer if Jin was a 'legend' in this world
• Set 300 years after Tsushima, Jin is dead - no refrences to Tsushima
• Estimates only 10% of the studio would be hyped to produce another Sly Cooper (studio is much different with different personnel)
• There is 'something' about the wolf - would not answer if there is a skill tree fotr the wolf (despite screenshot listing them)
• Wolf doesn't sound directly controllable
• The wolf is always there but not visible when on horseback etc
• Horse can jump and get a bit of a speed boost and 'air steer'
• Ranks the infamous games in order of release for greatness (Infamous 1, Infamous 2, Infamous: SS)
• Last meeting about movie was 3 months ago
• No pitches for ghost of modern day
• No demo for release (possibly ever)

 

[Lux77]

• Dev cried once during development
  

 

[GymWolf]

• Dev cried once during development
  

Yeah that shit got a chuckle from me

It was probably fox itself, dide always looked like a soy boy, modern sony probably enabled his true self

Spoiler

 

[Toots]

I recommend watching the video


I know, right! These devs are disgusting. Let's make a thread on it!

The fact that he thinks the stereotypical action hero (in a japanese movie, a hollywood movie, or any other for that matter) has been created in his image is pretty disgusting to me.
He lacks all the qualities that makes those characters heroes, not even talking about his physical appearance.