Jason Connell explained to us why Ghost of Yotei removes map markers to let players explore freely

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Gamepressure’s Maciej Bogusz recently interviewed Jason Connell, the Creative Director of *Ghost of Yotei*. While the full interview is available to read, one particular point was especially noteworthy. Connell explained how *Ghost of Yotei* intentionally differs from *Ghost of Tsushima* in a significant way: the new game doesn’t include map markers, a feature players will quickly notice if they’ve played the original.

Ghost of Yotei Creative Director Jason Connell explains why they dropped map markers

Connell, the creator of *Ghost of Tsushima*, explained why they removed question marks from the game’s map. He prefers open-world games that allow players to explore freely and decide where to go, feeling that *Tsushima* didn’t quite achieve that level of freedom. He described finding the right balance between a story-driven game and an open world as “a very complex challenge.”

The team behind *Yotei* wanted to create a truly immersive experience, so they removed anything that might break that feeling. This meant getting rid of traditional map markers and even the detailed journal found in *Ghost of Tsushima*, as Art and Creative Director Jason Connell playfully put it. This design choice also shaped the game’s art style. The map is presented as a drawing created by the character Atsu, offering her unique perspective, which the team believes makes exploring the world more engaging and memorable. Players see the world *through* Atsu’s eyes – not just the environment itself, but also how she interprets and records it on her map.

As Connell pointed out, creating a good experience requires finding the right balance between a compelling story and a free-roaming world. If the game leaves too much unexplained, players might feel confused or stuck. Luckily, the developers considered this and made sure players who prefer a straightforward experience could easily follow the main story. They’ve made the main quests easy to find for those who want clear direction. Ultimately, whether the game strikes the right balance will depend on each player’s preference. And if you’d like an interactive map to help guide you, Gamepressure has one available.

The team aimed to make *Ghost of Yotei* feel more realistic and engaging. One way they did this was by removing the typical map markers that point players to things to find. The idea was to encourage players to explore out of their own curiosity, rather than being told where to go. Early results are promising, with positive reviews and a Metacritic score of 86 – a great achievement in a year with many excellent games. Our own reviewer particularly enjoyed it, even more than the score suggests.

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2025-10-09 09:32