Ghost of Tsushima Directors To Be Named Ambassadors of Island the Game Is Based On

Mayor says the game sparked a wave of new interest in the island's history.

Kenneth Shepard March 5, 2021

1-minute read

Ghost of Tsushima Director Nate Fox and Creative Director Jason Connell are being named permanent tourism ambassadors of the island of Tsushima the PlayStation 4 game is based on.

VGC’s story on the matter says Fox and Connell will be honored for spreading the “name and history” of Tsushima. A ceremony will be held digitally due to travel restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

“[Fox and Connell] spread the name and history of Tsushima to the whole world in such a wonderful way,” said Tsushima Mayor Hiroki Hitakatsu in a statement.

“Even a lot of Japanese people do not know the history of the Gen-ko period. 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.”

While a similar honor has been given to Japanese citizens in the past, Hitakatsu said this is the first time it will go to anyone who has spread the word of the island through a creative work. Hitakatsu said interest in the island has increased significantly since Ghost of Tsushima launched last year, and that interest has been expressed from people all over the world.

“Thanks to the two of them, Sucker Punch Productions, and SIE, I have heard from people all over the world who have learned about Tsushima through their works, and now want to see, know, and go to Tsushima.”

In other news:

As of November, Ghost of Tsushima has sold five million copies. Developer Sucker Punch appears to be working on a sequel, as job listings for the studio have gone up asking for people interested in writing stories set in feudal Japan. I personally thought the game fine, but it didn’t hold my attention for very long. Well, except for one thing.

After launch, Sucker Punch implemented a multiplayer mode into Ghost of Tsushima, which Managing Editor Steven Strom was fun, if a bit disjointed at times.