'Silent Hill' Leaker Drops Bombshell Images of New Game Before Being Copyright Removed

Video game developer and horror game leaker Dusk Golem has once more added to the slew of reports still stacking on the inevitably of a new Silent Hill title in the works under Konami. In a Twitter post published on Thursday, May 12, Dusk Golem showcases four now-deleted images of the game in question, citing two names that go along with them as being "Anita & Maya" and "SMS Messages."

The creator also notes that the pictures "are a bit dated," claiming they were originally taken back in 2020 and that "this project looks a bit different now." They also add that "this is not the only SH game in dev," which lines up with previous reports made last year that a total of two Silent Hill games are in development, one of which being headed by horror extraordinaire Bloober Team.

Not long after posting said images, a copyright strike sent them into the void. While Dusk Golem's original Tweet still exists, the images are left blank with the line reading, "This image has been removed in response to a report from the copyright holder." Dusk Golem even clarified on ResetEra that they were, in fact, taken down by Konami, adding fuel to the ever-burgeoning fire that these images are indeed real.

The featured photographs, which can be seen via TheSilentHillFan on YouTube, showcase terrifying and grotesque settings, aptly reminiscent of the series's mythological Otherworld, an astral plane that appears in nearly every mainline game. This Otherworld acts as a sort of alternate dimension, keeping the same setting as the town of Silent Hill, but descending it into a rusted, gruesome, hell-like rendition. One of these images includes Japanese text translated via Reddit user totallywackman:

"July 24th, 2020. Dear Krista Neumann, The authorities have repeatedly requested an interview with you, but you have not responded at all. We consider this an unwillingness to resolve the problem and, in violation of section 1631(2) of the civil code, we are taking both of your children into custody by order of the Federal Court Officer. If you wish to file a claim, please apply to the authorities and submit tour request for an interview as soon as possible. Failure to do so will be considered abandonment and the authorities will proceed with temporary protection measures in accordance with their regulations. If this happens, any appeal will not be accepted."

In addition to these environmental pictures, there is also what seems to be a concept art mock-up of the main character with scrapbook cutouts of writing scattered across her face. One such cutout pasted on her forehead reads, "I hate myself." The art all seemingly feel legit to most Silent Hill enthusiasts, especially now that Konami has stepped in to avert attention from them, but there remains ample uncertainty.

Konami's Silent Hill horror series was last seen in 2014 through an unscheduled demo called P.T., or Playable Teaser, which was created by the likes of legendary video game auteur Hideo Kojima alongside horror manga writer Junji Ito and horror director Guillermo del Toro. The official P.T. experience never actually made it into a full game due to issues between Konami and Kojima, leaving the IP dormant since 2012's Book of Memories.

Fans have long been itching for a new mainline title, and rumors galore since the cancellation of P.T. have made it quite difficult to appreciate. Teases and leaks have been so wild of late that even a PlayStation exclusive indie titled Abandoned became the brunt of said gossip, creating a strained working environment for Blue Box's staff.

Although fans remain both optimistic yet still slightly skeptical, Dusk Golem adds in various additional Tweets that "every Silent Hill leake I've said is 100% true." Still, Konami's actions in taking down the images prove the company is invested in the leaks. While it may not be holistic certainty in the potential of a forthcoming Silent Hill game, it's something fans can cling to as hope wanes.