Hideo Kojima is one of the biggest names in gaming, and gamers have flocked to his work for decades after the Metal Gear series popularized the stealth genre. His games are known for their intricate gameplay, attention to detail, and cinematic cutscenes, though many have found his unconventional storytelling style too eccentric. Throughout his storied career, Kojima has produced many notable projects, but perhaps his most controversial release is P.T.
Strictly speaking, P.T. is not a game but is instead a teaser for Silent Hills, which was meant to continue the Silent Hill series, but the game never saw the light of day. Despite its relatively narrow scope, P.T. managed to become one of the most talked about horror titles in gaming, not just because of its hair-raising content, but also due to its disappearance from all storefronts, turning it into a rarity. With P.T. turning 8 years old this month, Kojima and his fellow creators have looked back at the teaser, and what could have been.
What Is P.T.?
Konami's Silent Hill franchise holds a special place in gaming thanks to the breathtaking scares it served gamers for years. The games have enjoyed both critical acclaim and healthy sales, and they are considered an essential part of the gaming horror canon. However, since Silent Hill: Downpour in 2012, the franchise has been on hiatus. It appeared that things would be taking a turn when an unknown studio called 7780s Studio released a title called P.T., which is short for "Playable Teaser." Later, gamers discovered that Kojima was behind the project and that P.T. was meant to serve as a demo for Silent Hills, a new entry in the Silent Hill series.
The game is quite claustrophobic, taking place within a home with long corridors that loop and constantly rearrange themselves. Players assume a first-person perspective and solve various puzzles as they experience supernatural events. P.T. manages to terrify gamers through Lisa, a ghost that pursues the player, and through the jump-scares that she triggers. If players can endure the terror and solve the puzzles, it is possible to leave the building, thus completing the demo, and it is then that the player is informed of Silent Hills.
The Disappearance of Silent Hills and P.T.
The announcement that Silent Hill was returning excited gamers, and the hype was only increased by the news that filmmaker Guillermo del Toro would be working alongside Kojima on the game. Norman Reedus was cast as the protagonist, and production began using Fox Engine, which had been used successfully for Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. Following P.T.'s release, the demo garnered praise, with critics and gamers applauding its scary atmosphere and intricate puzzles. It appeared as though the stage was set for Silent Hill to make a triumphant return. Unfortunately, things would not turn out that way.
When P.T. was released, Kojima was busy with the development of Metal Gear Solid 5. During the game's development, his relationship with Komani eroded. Although neither party has ever fully explained the nature of the break in their relationship, it is likely due to differing goals, and the company could no longer support Kojima's maximalist, Hollywood-esque productions. The chasm between Konami and Kojima was far from private, and in early 2015, reports spread that Silent Hills was facing cancellation.
The reports were proven true when Konami confirmed the game's cancellation in April 2015. That was a harsh blow to gamers, and the pain was only deepened when P.T. was also pulled from PlayStation Store. Consequently, gamers were unable to reinstall the game. Following the release of Metal Gear Solid 5, Kojima departed from Konami, and he went on to found his own studio called Kojima Productions. Through the studio, Kojima, Reedus, and del Toro were able to work together on Death Stranding, which was released in 2019. Though it has its peaceful moments where gamers can stand on mountaintops and enjoy the scenery, it also has quite a few frightening moments, proving once again that Kojima could succeed if he pursued the genre. Rumors of a Silent Hill reboot have always floated around, though the series has yet to be resurrected.
The Legacy of P.T.
After P.T. was pulled from the PlayStation Store, the game became a rarity, as there were no physical copies available. Consequently, consoles with the game installed can be found online being sold for exorbitant prices. Several indie developers have remade the game on other platforms, including VR. Kojima has not forgotten about P.T. either, as the game receives a nod in Death Stranding Director's Cut. Fans of P.T. have never been given a reason why the game was taken down and why Konami refuses to let gamers play it.
On P.T.'s anniversary this year, Kojima Tweeted an image of P.T., which del Toro retweeted. Reedus also reposted Kojima's post on Instagram. A Konami employee going by the name of Pearl L took to Twitter and explained that they were the one who helped get the game on the storefront, but she also had to be the one to call Sony and ask them to de-list the game and block re-downloads. According to the employee, it was the first time Sony had been asked to do something like this, and it required "engineering workarounds." For a brief moment, it was possible to transfer P.T. from PS4 to PS5, but Konami ensured that was blocked, too.
Although P.T. is not considered to be Kojima's best work, it does serve as proof that he has potential as a creator in the horror genre. P.T. is remembered as an effective horror title that, tragically, many gamers will never get to play. Its backstory is a reminder of how Kojima's once fruitful relationship with Konami soured, leading to a terrible fallout and the death of what could have been a phenomenal Silent Hill title. Fortunately, Kojima's career is far from over, and it appears that Kojima Productions is working on a new horror title.
Silent Hills is canceled.