Keiichiro Toyama has left Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Studio and established a new indie games company; Bokeh Game Studio. He is best known for creating the Silent Hill, Siren, and Gravity Rush franchises.

Joining him at Bokeh Game Studio are fellow Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Studio developers like Kazunobu Sato and Junya Okura.

Toyama is the chief executive officer (CEO), Sato is the chief operating officer (COO) and Okura is the chief technology officer (CTO).

The studio’s name, “Bokeh,” is an English term originated from the Japanese word “bo-ke,” which refers to the camera blur technique.

Speaking with Gematsu, Toyama said:

“Having parted with Sony Interactive Entertainment which I have been with for a very long time, we have independently established a new development studio.

Looking back at my inner self, nothing has really changed at all since day one when I set foot into this industry.

Firstly I want players to enjoy games built from ideas with originality, and secondly, I want to enjoy making those games; this is all there was to it.

Thankfully it was possible for myself and team to develop and release many games.

However, the gaming industry has rapidly grown globally and is still drastically changing all the time.

Day by day, living in these times, I have felt the need for a substantial change to pursue my own ambitions.

This is why I have decided to become independent.

Thankfully I am blessed with a team of colleagues who share the same ambitions as myself, which is why I am able to start this new chapter with a new game studio where we can form our original ideas.

We are already under development for our first work, though obviously will need some time before release.

We ask for your patience and to look forward to future announcements.”

In an interview with Famitsu, Toyama confirmed that development is already underway for the studio’s first game; an original action-adventure game that will release on multiple platforms. It is expected to take between two to three years.

However, for fans of his previous franchises, Toyama clarified that Bokeh Game Studio will not be able to work on those IP (Silent Hill, etc.), but he hopes to continue his good relationship with Sony Interactive Entertainment and possibly work together on those franchises in the future.