Two developers behind Sucker Punch Productions’ most recent hit PlayStation title, Ghost of Tsushima, are becoming permanent tourism ambassadors of the real-life Tsushima city in Nagasaki. Game Director Nate Fox and Creative Director Jason Connell are being given the honor.
The city will also collaborate with Sony to set up a tourism campaign centered around Ghost of Tsushima and hopes that it will draw in more visitors who want to learn more about the island.
“Even a lot of Japanese people do not know the history of the Gen-ko period,” said Tsushima mayor Hiroki Hitakatsu. “When it comes to the world, the name and location of Tsushima is literally unknown, so I cannot thank them enough for telling our story with such phenomenal graphics and profound stories.”
Fortunately, Hitakatsu appointed both Fox and Connell without the intention of them having to do anything with the Tsushima ambassador titles in the future. Simply using Tsushima as the setting in the game allowed people all around the world to learn of its existence. Also, the titles will be theirs until they no longer wish to have them.
The ceremony commemorating this occasion will be held digitally due to travel restrictions surrounding the pandemic. However, once the travel restrictions are lifted, the mayor wishes for the entire Sucker Punch team to visit the city in the hopes that it will “make them love Tsushima even more.”
Ghost of Tsushima launched last year on PlayStation 4 and received many updates including a New Game+ option and a multiplayer mode called Legends. Be sure to also check out our interview with the audio director and composers of the game on how they brought its authentic sounds and music to life.
