Studio heads Goichi Suda of Grasshopper Manufacturer and Hidetaka Suehiro of White Owls Inc has revealed this week that the two video game veterans will be teaming together to create a new horror joint project called Hotel Barcelona. The two revealed this during the “Travis Monday Nightro 2” livestream hosted on IGN Japan that both Suda 51 and Swery 65 will be involved to creating a new experience together.
Regarding all tangible information for this new title, it was reveled during the discussion between the two on the livestream that the budget for this new title is an estimate $1 million and that the pair plans to create an experience for mobile players, possibly hinting towards a potential release for mobile devices and Nintendo Switch atop of the initial console emphasis for Hotel Barcelona.
Upon other involved with the project, it was stated that Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama will also be participating in the game’s development: to spice things up even more, the two texted Toyama during the broadcast asking him if he would be interested in the game, where he later responded to join in on the project.
Expanding on the concepts that both Suda and Suehiro have tossed around during their discussion, the two shared interest in creating timelines that would help direct the story for the title. The two also agreed on the idea to focus the plot’s characters from images of real people to use in Hotel Barcelona, where Suehiro after shared his thought to create the game into a side-scroller which would give off an indie game feel for the project.
The two have virtually highlighted the concept to create a strict nuance in the horror game genre by sharing the game to be thriller of some sorts from how the atmosphere will ultimately make the game out to be. However, Suda did also disclose the title could at some point in the second half break into a bloodbath that would retreat from the foundation players associate the game to be from their first impression.
More into the actual birth of Hotel Barcelona, Suda and Suehiro have said that the pair were initially set to create a PlayStation VR title with the game’s main focus around food, but was ultimately cancelled upon starting development. The two then still pursued to make a game together which led to the reveal on the livestream this week.
Gonna need @SUDA_51 and @Swery65 to pitch us this mysterious game we’re supposedly publishing.
Name a time and place, gentlemen. https://t.co/duvQWVj1CO
— Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) October 23, 2019
On the conversation of the game’s publisher, there were mentions of the two discussing an agreement with Devolver Digital at some point, but nothing settled at the time. However, following the news breaking the publisher did later tweet that both Suda an Swery should “name a time and place” to discuss the new project.
What are your thoughts on this new project that Suda and Swery will be taking helm for?
Hotel Barcelona has no set release date and no currently listed platforms.
