Gans is known for directing the first Silent Hill film and is working on the reboot. Speaking to the French website Movie and Game (translations via ResetEra), he reportedly said, “I know a bit about the [next Silent Hill game]. I work with the Silent Team, the original creators. I work in collaboration with Konami.

“I’m working with the Silent Team, the original creators at Konami, there are several games in development as we speak. There are several teams on it, with a big line of games. They will revive the franchise. I think they were impressed by the success of the remakes of Resident Evil which are evidently exceptional games.

“I’m not working directly on the games, but I’m working with Konami. Not with Kojima, though, but with the Silent Team, who I met when I filmed the first Silent Hill movie. And they’re still here.”

Gans confirmed that Bloober Team were working on the remake of Silent Hill 2. When asked about the other games, he reiterated that there are “several teams” and that Konami is involved. The fact that the original Team Silent is playing a part is also good news.

This isn’t the first time that Gans has spoken about the franchise’s revival. Last June, he told JEUXACTU that the franchise would be “relaunched in terms of video games,” and the film would “become part of a global policy.”

Of course, the big question is when we can expect a reveal. The Game Awards, as always, seems like the right place, but time will tell. It takes place on December 8th, so stay tuned for further details.

The Protagonist

Following the introspective look at James Sunderland and his actions in Silent Hill 2, it’s interesting to shift to Heather Mason as the new “hero.” From the outset, Heather is aloof and sarcastic, almost distant from the horrors unfolding around her. She’s conflicted about her existence. But following a tragedy that befalls her before venturing to Silent Hill, there is a resolve that builds, a determination to fight against The Cult. Perhaps most appealing is that in the midst of all this, Heather doesn’t come across as a typical “hero” but as an empathetic figure who seeks to stop The Order’s plans, like her father before her had done.

Story-Telling

Environmental story-telling isn’t a new concept by any means but it’s incredible how a title like this trusted its viewers to understand the story through observation and empathy. It starts with protagonist James Sunderland staring at himself in the mirror, contemplating, before we learn of him receiving a letter from his wife Mary. Mary is deceased but apparently still waiting for James in their “special place” in Silent Hill. Thus begins one’s journey into the decrepit town, which is slowly introduced with long stretches without any dialogue or narration. The player seeks to learn the truth but every facet of the game presents this as a foregone conclusion. It’s not until reaching the end that James’ mannerisms, the strange holes in the walls, the enemies and Maria’s presence actually start to make sense. But traces of the truth can be observed all throughout.

Silent Hill is one of the all time great series of video gaming- an atmospheric horror game series that took a hugely different approach to fear, by going the psychological route more than the tangible one. It was unique, and stood out, and unlike most other games in the genre- which is why its death hurts fans so much.

Even the creators, however, want to see the series revive, if that is possible. Speaking at Gamescom to PCGamer, series composer and Team Silent member Akira Yamaoka discussed a potential revival of the series, stating that he would be open to Team Silent reforming again.

“I can’t really say if there will be another Silent Hill or not,” he said. “First of all, I’m happy that fans of the series around the world are still asking us questions about it. Personally, of course, I’d love this to happen, but I obviously couldn’t say for sure [either way].”

Speaking specifically about Team Silent’s reformation, he said, “I’m not against it. But it’s hard to say because everyone has evolved, and maybe the mindset has changed as well. Also the technology and the games industry as a whole has changed as well. Even if we got back together I’m not even sure we could do something great so it’s very hard to say at the moment.”

It is all just musing, obviously- this is not a confirmation of a new game, or a Team Silent reformation, and we should not expect it to be, either. Silent Hill, sadly, is dead for now- at least we still have the fantastic older games from when the series was in its prime to go back to, however.