A screenshot from Ghost of Yōtei (2025), Sucker Punch
A new rumor claims that Sony executives are seemingly not happy with the response to the announcement trailer for Ghost of Yōtei and that a number of developers were blindsided by the new female character, Atsu.
A screenshot from Ghost of Yōtei (2025), Sucker Punch
YouTuber Endymion shared this information from an alleged insider. He said, “Apparently, Ghost of Yōtei blindsided many people that were working at Sony who were not made aware of what Sucker Punch was making.
READ: ‘Ghost Of Tsushima’ Sequel Receives Mixed Reactions From Gamers As Game Features Female Protagonist
He added, “And that people in the mid levels at Sony were actually confused when Yōtei was announced because they were under the impression that Jin Sakai would be getting a sequel.”
Endymion also shared, “And they are not happy at all when it comes to the response of that game either, internally at Sony right now.”
A screenshot from Ghost of Yōtei (2025), Sucker Punch
The game received mixed reactions with a number of the top comments bemoaning Sucker Punch abandoning Jin Sakai’s story.
One lamented, “Imagine hearing about Jin as a legendary folk tale quest.”
Another wrote, “‘Ghost of’ was the best idea to stick with, this way they can tell loads of different stories, from different eras, showing pretty cool characters.”
“So this is set in 1600, turn of the Sengoku Jidai period to Edo, 400 years after Jin Sakai,” wrote dafunk140. “1603 is the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate and Yōtei is a major mountain in Hokkaido, northernmost island of Japan, which leads me to believe we’ll be able to explore hokkaido. Exciting stuff, lots to explore.”
Another shared, “Jin is literally a ghost now, rip.”
A screenshot of YouTube comments on the Ghost of Yōtei announcement trailer
One person pilloried the game comparing it to Assassin’s Creed Shadows, “Sucker Punch saw AC Shadows and went ‘Aight, hold my Sake.’”
Another offered a similar sentiment, “Ubisoft : We are finally introducing samurais to Assassin’s Creed. SuckerPunch : Here hold my sake* for the second time.”
“Hopefully Jin is still gonna be mentioned in the game, probably as a legend about how a 8 foot tall demon called the ghost beat the mongols out of Japan,” wrote Drifter-while-hungry.
An_riin wrote, “I never expected them to make this IP into an anthology series of different time periods and places in Japan. I think they made the right choice.”
Another shared, “Ainu (Native people of Ezo / Hokkaido) called Mount Yootei with Makkarinipuri or female mountain. And someone mentioned the mountain is believed to have the power to strengthened women’s energy. What a way to choose a scene and protagonist. This is what we call ‘Artists Actually doing their research’.”
A screenshot of YouTube comments on the Ghost of Yōtei announcement trailer
Outside of the trailer, Sony and Sucker Punch were heavily criticized for featuring a female character in a formerly male lead franchise with many pointing to Sony’s diversity and inclusion policies.
Brazilian gamer KabrutusRambo, the creator of the Sweet Baby Inc. detected Steam curator list and DEIDetected.com, posted on X, “‘But the female protagonist in the next Ghost Of game is not because of DEI reasons!’ Below we have Sony’s latest corporate report, released yesterday. The signs are there, don’t be surprised if we discover… things about this game in the future.”
“But the female protagonist in the next Ghost Of game is not because of DEI reasons!”Below we have Sony’s latest corporate report, released yesterday.
The signs are there, don’t be surprised if we discover… things about this game in the future. pic.twitter.com/jppShtOiI2
— Kabrutus (@kabrutusrambo) September 29, 2024
YouTuber DreadRoberts also posted, “Ghost of Yotei is Sony’s next big game. To think that they WOULDN’T shove D.E.I. into their most anticipated title is ignorant.”
“There are only so many signs that people can withstand before they start asking questions, and we’re now at that point. Just because the 3-minute-long trailer doesn’t outright say it to your face, doesn’t mean it isn’t there, but we should know this by now,” he added.
Ghost of Yotei is Sony’s next big game.
To think that they WOULDN’T shove D.E.I. into their most anticipated title is ignorant.
There are only so many signs that people can withstand before they start asking questions, and we’re now at that point.
Just because the… https://t.co/z3BFScdagP
— Dreadroberts (@SicklyTheNinJa) September 29, 2024
X user NotAxelCarnage also wrote, “As if it wasn’t already written on the wall with the VA’s beliefs and advocating of trans rights, etc., now we know Sony is still pushing the agenda of DEI. This game is no different than AC Shadows, than Suicide Squad, than Concord.
As if it wasn’t already written on the wall with the VA’s beliefs and advocating of trans rights, etc., now we know Sony is still pushing the agenda of DEI
This game is no different than AC Shadows, than Suicide Squad, than Concord https://t.co/eM70vYsMtU
— Axel Carnage (@NotAxelCarnage) September 30, 2024
_Myrddrral_ added, “Ghost of Yotei is 100% gonna be a woke DEI fest. Screw Sony. May they lose money hand over foot, and may their market value crash.”
Ghost of Yotei is 100% gonna be a woke DEI fest.
Screw Sony.
May they lose money hand over foot, and may their market value crash. https://t.co/HYdNH4w3mZ— The Myrddrral (@_Myrddrral_) September 29, 2024
Former Sony Chairman Shawn Layden threw fuel on the fire when he reacted to a post from YouTuber Mighty Keef calling Endymion “an absolute loser.” Layden posted, “It’s a game. An entertainment. A story a team of creators believes in. They want to make this.”
He added, “2 it’s a game. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. In fact, why not make the game you want yourself?”
Shawn Layden on X
On top of all of this Sucker Punch hired a radical activist in Erika Ishii to play Atsu and casting directors have made it clear they cast individuals to push the DEI agenda and woke ideology. The Witcher casting director Sophie Holland told Acting Up via Variety, “I am always the first to champion diversity in all its glory. One that springs to mind was the character of Yennefer on The Witcher. Lauren Schmidt Hissrich is the showrunner and we work so well together and she’s so open to conversations.”
“In the book, she’s described as the most beautiful woman in the world. This was a few years ago and I’d like to think things have changed. But when you think about people’s unconscious bias – especially in the fantasy world, it felt like these worlds were predominantly white. And I remember saying, ‘I feel like we need to challenge what people think of as the standard of beauty. And having a woman of color in this role does incredibly powerful things to the people watching,” she admitted.
Anya Chalotra as Yennefer in The Witcher: Season 3 (2023), Netflix
Not only are individuals like Ishii cast to push the DEI agenda, but Ishii has a history of radical activism that she will likely amplify by using her role as Atsu. That activism includes defunding the police.
She posted in June 2020, “Jack-booted thugs violently breaking up a peaceful violin vigil. You can hear people screaming “THERE ARE CHILDREN”. This can’t be any more clear. Defund the police.”
Erika Ishii on X
Ishii also appeared to support the failed Hogwarts Legacy boycott. She posted in February 2023 just ahead of the game’s release, “I used to love Harry Potter. Went to every midnight release, cosplayed, was even in an HP themed improv group. Now I’m happy to instead support & be part of fantasy narratives where ALL are welcome. Trans community, we deserve our own better magic. I will always fight for that.”
She included a video of her stating, “F**k Terfs.”
I used to love Harry Potter. Went to every midnight release, cosplayed, was even in an HP themed improv group.
Now I’m happy to instead support & be part of fantasy narratives where ALL are welcome.
Trans community, we deserve our own better magic. I will always fight for that. pic.twitter.com/gu6RVGhzLn— Erika Ishii (@erikaishii) February 8, 2023
In a subsequent post, she added, “Muting, but wanted to reiterate: trans rights are human rights. I ask that instead of replying to negative comments to turn that effort towards positive action: a donation, sharing/supporting trans creators & trans joy, or checking in with your trans friends & their happiness!”
Erika Ishii on X
What do you make of this rumor regarding the internal reaction to Ghost of Yōtei at Sony?
