Ghost of Yotei Devs Tested Multiplayer with Collector’s Edition Coins

The development team behind Ghost of Yotei found an unusually tactile method for prototyping a key multiplayer feature. While crafting the free Legends co-op mode, the designers at Sucker Punch wanted to include a competitive version of the in-game coin-flicking activity, Zeni Hajiki. To test potential rules quickly, they bypassed digital tools entirely. Senior staff designer Darren Bridges revealed the team used the physical coins included in the game’s Collector’s Edition for their playtesting sessions on a real table.

This practical approach was driven by strong player interest. Bridges noted that while PvP Zeni Hajiki was always a considered idea, the enthusiastic fan response after the game’s launch solidified its priority. The availability of the collector’s edition coins provided what he called “probably the most efficient prototyping experience in the company’s history,” allowing the team to iterate on rules without writing any code. This activity now resides in the mode’s social lobby, a space designed for players to relax between missions with side activities like bamboo chopping.

The inclusion of a lobby itself was a lesson learned from the studio’s previous work. The original Ghost of Tsushima: Legends mode lacked such a hub. Observing how players engaged with that multiplayer experience showed the developers that cooperative play naturally involves downtime. The Yotei lobby was created to fill those moments with more engaging options beyond managing gear. While the lobby fosters friendly competition, Bridges was clear that the game’s combat mechanics are built “specifically for PvE,” ruling out direct player-versus-player duels for the time being.

Developing a substantial online mode alongside a massive single-player RPG required careful planning. Bridges confirmed that work on Legends began early in Yotei’s development cycle, following the positive reception to the Tsushima multiplayer expansion. A core team started the foundation while the main game was in full production. As developers completed their work on the primary campaign, they transitioned over to assist with finishing Legends. Bridges emphasized this update, like its predecessor, was always intended as a free DLC without microtransactions for all owners of the base game.

This parallel development structure offered a creative benefit. After spending years crafting the grounded, historical world of Yotei, artists and designers found it refreshing to shift to the mythological and fantastical setting of Legends. This environment allowed for more exaggerated locations, powers, and enemies designed as worthy challenges for multiple players. For Sucker Punch, this pattern of supporting games with substantial post-launch content is a studio philosophy. Bridges explained that while every project is unique, they consistently aim to find an approach that expands their skills and complements the core experience, whether through cooperative samurai fantasy or user-generated missions in past titles.