Mordax et al

I was moved to write a letter to the new company that’s got the SH property; I thought I’d let you all see it as well.

Dear Vatra games,

I heard yesterday that you guys have been selected to create the next Silent Hill game. First of all, congratulations! I’m sure you’ve all done a lot of hard work to impress Konami into having you work on this project. Although some people are a little concerned at having the Silent Hill property tossed between developers like a hot potatoes for the last few games, I believe in giving everyone an equal chance, and that bringing new strengths and perspectives into the series can make it even better than it already is.

If you hadn’t guessed by now, I am a big fan of Silent Hill; it is in my top three game favorite game series of all time, and is definitely my favorite horror series- in any medium. The way that the series mixes deep, troubling psychological horror, with real and definite supernatural terrors is brilliant. The best thing about Silent Hill in my opinion, though, is the tense, creepy atmosphere of fear and distrust. When I played the first Silent Hill game I was literally afraid to continue in some places, and had to physically put the controller down, and ready myself for what might be ahead. Though nothing had yet attacked, the overall atmosphere, design, music, etc, had heightened the suspense so much that I was unable to go on! I’m sure the previous games (especially the first 2) will give your team ample inspiration in this regard, for the title that you’re heading.

Likewise, the world of Silent Hill has evolved into a complex mythos that will be a rich background for your team to tell their own, unique Silent Hill story. There are many possible angles, from the infamous Cult from the first game, to the idea of the town luring the guilty into itself for punishment and revelation, and so on. I’m sure your team will be able to draw on many of the elements of the previous games’ continuity as a background for your story, while still moving forward with your own new ideas, and bringing us players deeper into the town of Silent Hill.

It is somewhat troubling to me that your development team has such a short portfolio at the moment, since it’s always heartening to see the good work a company has done in the past. Not to be offensive, but this is why I am writing to you; to impress upon you the hopes that I, and my fellow faithful Silent Hill players have, that you do the best work you can, and will stay true to the spirit and the nature of the games that we love.

Thank you for your time, and good luck!