PlayStation Studios titles and high budgets are a seemingly iconic duo, with The Last of Us Part 2 costing more than $200 million while Horizon Forbidden West had a $212 million budget. However, Ghost of Yōtei is a different case altogether, with Sucker Punch co-founder Brian Fleming telling Game File that its “financials” and “costs” are “very, very similar” to its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima.
“When we look at the financials and the costs, the man years, the amount of months that the team—times the size of the team—worked on it, [it’s] very, very similar, actually,” said Fleming. Tsushima, which launched in 2020 for the PS4, reportedly had a $60 million budget.
While that’s good news, especially with the ever-ballooning cost of triple-A games, it’s also surprising. Ghost of Yōtei offers roughly the same playtime and map size as its predecessor, but the production values are arguably higher given that it’s developed exclusively for PS5. That’s not taking inflation into account.
Ghost of Tsushima went on to sell over 13 million copies as of September 2024, which is pretty good for a new IP. If the sequel has the same budget, it should be interesting to see if it hits the same milestone in a shorter period.
Ghost of Yōtei launches on October 2nd for PS5. Check out the latest cinematic trailer here.
It’s interesting to see the comparisons being drawn between Ghost of Yōtei and Tsushima, especially regarding their financials. The insights into budgeting in PlayStation Studios titles are always fascinating. Looking forward to more updates on this!
I agree, the similarities are intriguing! It’s also worth noting how both games utilize their settings to enhance gameplay and storytelling, which really adds depth to the player experience.
Absolutely! The way both games leverage their settings not only enhances the storytelling but also immerses players in their respective worlds. It’s fascinating to see how environmental design can impact gameplay and emotional engagement in such similar ways.
I completely agree! The environments in both games really immerse players in the narrative. It’s interesting to see how Sucker Punch manages to create such rich worlds that feel alive, which adds depth to the overall experience.
I totally see your point! The attention to detail in the world-building really enhances the storytelling. It’s interesting how both games use their settings not just as a backdrop, but as a crucial part of the overall experience.
Absolutely, the world-building is crucial for immersion. It’s interesting how the financial investment in these titles often translates to richer environments and deeper narratives, making the experience even more engaging for players.