Key Takeaways
1. Silent Hill f was initially considered to be set in Shizuoka Prefecture, known for its views of Mount Fuji, which aligns with the meaning of “Silent Hill.”
2. The developers chose to abandon Shizuoka for a fictional town called Ebisugaoka, inspired by Kanayama in Gifu Prefecture.
3. Creator Ryukishi07 explained that Mount Fuji’s imposing presence could distract from the game’s eerie atmosphere.
4. The development team sought a unified vision for the game’s setting and found inspiration in Kanayama’s grid-like layout.
5. Silent Hill f, set in 1960s Japan, follows high school student Shimizu Hinaoka and aims to be more action-focused, with a release date of September 25, 2025.
Silent Hill f, the next installment in Konami’s famed horror series, nearly found its place in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture, which offers views of Mount Fuji. This region was seen as a perfect fit for the new spin-off, especially since Shizuoka means “Quiet Hill” or “Silent Hill.” However, the developers chose to abandon this location in favor of a fictional town called Ebisugaoka, inspired by Kanayama in Gifu Prefecture.
Reasons Behind the Location Change
In a discussion with Famitsu during Anime Expo 2025, creator Ryukishi07 revealed the reasons for not choosing the iconic Mount Fuji as the backdrop. The towering mountain could distract players from the eerie and dense atmosphere that the series is famous for. Ryukishi07 shared their thoughts:
“When we were crafting the narrative, we wanted all our team members to have a unified vision of the game’s setting. To do this, we used real-world locations to influence our imagery.”
The Creative Journey
To bring their ideas to life, the development team explored Shizuoka, looking for inspiration before deciding on an appropriate in-game environment. Yet, upon visiting the area, they changed their perspective. Ryukishi07 elaborated, saying:
“When we actually visited, we found that the imposing presence of Mount Fuji from Shizuoka was too dominating; it didn’t feel right for a Silent Hill backdrop. After checking out multiple other sites, I thought the grid-like layout of Kanayama was quite fascinating, so I proposed that.”
A Unique Aesthetic
Additionally, Akira Yamaoka took a new approach, moving away from the typical “Japanese style” and instead focusing on the distinctive “ma” and rhythmic variations rooted in Japan’s ancient culture. The game’s visuals pay homage to the Showa-era ambiance. Consequently, the team decided to take a creative detour, as Kanayama seemed to resonate well with the developers.
Set in 1960s Japan, Silent Hill f tells the story of high school student Shimizu Hinaoka as her town becomes enveloped in fog. Developed by NeoBards, this game aims to be more action-focused compared to earlier titles in the series. Silent Hill f is expected to be released on September 25, 2025, for the Xbox Series S|X, PlayStation 5, and PC.
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