The application for the Silent Hill trademark was filed with the Government of Canada by Konami Digital Entertainment, and it shows it is categorically related to “video games.” Interestingly, the listing is also filed as “conducting computer game competitions,” which has led some to wonder whether a Silent Hill multiplayer game or mode for a game could be in the works.
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Konami Renews Trademark
While Konami has renewed Silent Hill’s trademark, it alone does not necessarily equate to development, however. Often times, a company will file or renew its trademarks in order to ensure that the franchise remains under its ownership. Silent Hill’s previous trademark was set to expire near the end of 2019; however, there has been a trickle of new rumors and information since then, reviving much buzz for the continuation of Konami’s beloved survival horror series.
Back in December, rumors surfaced that Hideo Kojima was in talks with Konami to work on a new Silent Hill game. The rumor’s origin comes from Reddit user Sarkzt0001, stating that Kojima has been in talks with Konami since he finished development on Death Stranding. While Konami and Hideo Kojima failed to settle a deal years ago, a new deal has apparently been “settled” which would lend the Silent Hill IP to Kojima Productions.
In this scenario, Kojima Productions and an unnamed third party would supposedly fund its development, but Konami would have some creative control or say over the matter, such as who the main actor in the game would be. If true, Norman Reedus apparently would not return to the project for reasons unknown, but that the cast would include well known actors.
Silent Hills Resuming Development?
If there is any truth to the rumor, this could comprise resuming development of the original Silent Hills (PT demo), rather than a new Silent Hill game, as Kojima expressed his belief that fans deserve the game. This would also fit what we do know thus far, in that Kojima has expressed desire to return to developing horror games following completion of Death Stranding.
Jump ahead one month, and Silent Hill’s Art Director, Masahiro Ito, has announced he is working on his next title “as a core member.” He also added, “I hope the title won’t be canceled.” While there are many ways to interpret the last statement, some have speculated Masahiro Ito could be hinting at work on another Silent Hill game, or jokingly referencing the canceled Silent Hills game itself. Furthermore, his avatar on Twitter remains as a photo of Pyramid Head, one of Silent Hill’s most iconic villains.
Two Silent Hill Games
A few weeks later, in late January, another leak transpired suggesting that Konami is developing two Silent Hill games. According to Twitter user AestheticGamer, Konami started building a team of developers for two new Silent Hill games back in 2017. AestheticGamer states that one of the games would be a sequel to the main series, as well as provide as “soft reboot” of the franchise, whereas the other game would be an episodic role-playing game similar to titles released by Telltale Games. Supposedly, at least one of the games would be announced in 2020,according to AestheticGamer.
While these rumors do not hold a lot of weight on their own, a Konami spokesperson has confirmed that Konami is closely listening to customer feedback regarding the Silent Hill series. Again, while it is not much on its own, at least this tidbit of information comes directly from Konami, and the timing coincides with the rumors that have surfaced these last few months.
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New Silent Hill Movie
Furthermore, Christophe Gans’ 2006 Silent Hill movie is apparently getting a new film. Christophe Gans’ confirmed a new Silent Hill film in the works to and is collaborating with Victor Hadida, the Resident Evil movies’ executive producer on the project.
Given that a new film is in the works, this should at least demonstrate that Konami has some interest in reviving the franchise. Naturally, it would seem out of place to revive the film series, but not the game series. While it is confirmed, for the most part, that a new movie is in the works and Konami is closely tuned in to fan feedback regarding Silent Hill, these rumors all come at a unique time period which could turn out to be true.
A Good Time To Revive Silent Hill
With Resident Evil’s revival of remakes of its classic games showing much success in both nostalgic buzz and sales, it would seem only natural that Konami wishes to restore its own survival horror classic to its former glory. Furthermore, there is a lot of desire among fans for survival horror that resembles the older style of the genre which was much less forgiving and less action-oriented.
It is important to note that Silent Hill’s series never really followed the route of Resident Evil and other survivor horror games and always resembled the older style of gameplay, with more rigid controls, tough enemies, and shortages of ammo. This was still the case heading into to the most recent Silent Hill game, Downpour.
Since Silent Hill never really evolved in the way that other survival horror games did, it does not need to worry as much about trying to reinvent itself in trying to return to its origins in new ways. Fans already want what Silent Hill has always offered in terms of a suspenseful and slowly simmering survival horror experience, and the time right now is perfectly ripe for it. With other games such as Summerford and Death of Rose drawing much inspiration from classic Silent Hill games, it should be clear to Konami that the conditions are ripe for a Silent Hill revival and demand from gamers is in place.
A new Silent Hill game has not yet been officially confirmed.
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