So, the producer behind Silent Hill, Motoi Okamoto, has some ideas about where the series could go next, and they involve a potential trip to Central or South America. While I'm excited about the prospect of seeing Silent Hill explore new cultural landscapes, I also have some reservations.

Okamoto mentioned in an interview that he's interested in tapping into the "shamanistic beliefs" of Central and South America, along with the impact of past political turmoil. He even referenced magical realism, drawing inspiration from authors like Gabriel García Márquez and Mariana Enríquez. That's all well and good, but I can't help but feel a little uneasy about potentially stereotypical or shallow representations of these cultures.

I mean, let's be real, reducing entire regions to "bravado" and "machismo" feels pretty reductive. I get that political events can be a powerful backdrop for a horror game, but it's crucial to handle these topics with sensitivity and nuance. If not, it can come across as insensitive and miss the mark entirely.

However, Okamoto also pointed out a significant challenge: the lack of established game development studios in Central and South America with the experience to tackle a franchise like Silent Hill. He's got a point there. It's essential to have a team that understands the local culture and can authentically bring it to life.

Potential Devs?

If you ask me, there are some talented developers out there who could potentially handle a Silent Hill game set in Central or South America. Ace Team, the folks behind Zeno Clash and The Eternal Cylinder, definitely have a knack for creating bizarre and unsettling worlds. While their style might be a bit more visually over-the-top than Silent Hill, they could bring a unique perspective to the franchise.

There's also Dual Effect, the creators of Tormented Souls. Their game is closer to Resident Evil and Outlast in terms of gameplay. But, it shows they have the talent to create scary survival horror games.

In the meantime, we also have Silent Hill: Townfall to look forward to, which is being developed by Screen Burn in Scotland. I have no idea where it's set, but their previous work on games like Observation and Stories Untold suggests it'll be a mind-bending and unsettling experience. Here's hoping that it will be a good one