Toyama Recruits Team for Bokeh's New Large-Scale Project

Keiichiro Toyama, the creator of Silent Hill, Siren, and Gravity Rush, posted a call for staff at Bokeh Game Studio. He seeks developers for a new large-scale project. Bokeh established itself in 2020. It released Slitterhead in 2024 as its debut title.

The message appeared on a Japanese recruitment site. Toyama addressed potential applicants directly in the posting. He stressed the studio's focus on originality. "We don't make things that anyone else could make. This isn't about being eccentric, but rather about never giving up on the questions, 'Why are we making this?', and continuing to search for expressions that only we can reach," the studio's founder said, as translated via machine.

He continued by describing the desired mindset. "And we want to create things with people who resonate with this attitude and who, even amidst worries and doubts, have the will to 'still make something interesting' and continue to challenge themselves in the creative process.

"We are currently working on a new project as a studio," Toyama added. "It's not an easy path, as we're going through a lot of trial and error from the very beginning."

"However, this means you'll be deeply involved in the core of the work, and your choices and struggles will directly take shape in the game. Being involved from this phase will be an invaluable experience."

The entire studio shifted to this new effort after Slitterhead. Reports indicate Bokeh aims to expand by at least 16 positions from its current team of around 35. No details emerged on the project's genre, platform, or timeline. Toyama ruled out a Slitterhead sequel in a July 2025 Famitsu interview. He noted the team entered early development phases. Sales for Slitterhead fell short of expectations despite its cult following. Critics split on whether it leaned more toward horror or action.

Toyama founded Bokeh after departing Sony. He built his reputation on atmospheric horror with Silent Hill and Siren, then shifted to action in Gravity Rush. Slitterhead delivered a distinctive, grotesque urban horror experience. I think Toyama's insistence on unique expression keeps his work compelling even when execution divides opinions.

This recruitment push follows Toyama's earlier comments on studio goals. He emphasized proving capability through effort. He acknowledged his age as a factor in long-term planning. In the 2025 interview, he mentioned passing the baton to younger creators. Bokeh continues to prioritize challenges over commercial metrics alone.

Read also, Takeshi Masago and Tamami Hiraoka, actors from Silent Hill f, received appointments as tourism ambassadors for Gero City in Japan. The location inspired the game's rural 1960s village setting. They announced the role in a February 2026 YouTube video after posting couple-themed clips online.