Ghost of Yoteihas been one of 2025’s most anticipated titles. The long-awaited sequel to 2020’sGhost of Tsushima,Ghost of Yoteisees the return of developer Sucker Punch Productions with what’s sure to be its biggest title yet. Set over 300 years after its predecessor and with a brand-new protagonist at the forefront, this new game looks to be Sony’s major Game of the Year contender in the same way that the first game was.
After a few months of radio silence from the publisher, Sony has finally returned and announcedthe release date forGhost of Yotei. Finally, fans can feel comfortable knowing that Sony’s long-awaited sequel will be released this year. Even so,Ghost of Yotei’s impending release date feels a bit bold, especially considering the elephant in the room that is one of 2025’s other supposed major releases.
Ghost of Yotei’s Release Date Sees Sony Taking A Big Swing
Ghost of Yotei’s October Release Differentiates It From The First Game’s Summer Date
Ghost of Yotei’s latest trailerconfirms that the game will release on October 2. This date allows it to slide in alongside Sony’s other major first-party PlayStation 5 games this year, includingLost Soul Aside,Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, andMarathon. With this being the last of the four games to be released, Sony is clearly positioningGhost of Yoteias its major Holiday release for 2025.
This title’s Holiday release is also a major change fromGhost of Tsushima’s release date. Back in 2020, that game was released in July and served as a swan song for the PlayStation 4, while Sony spent the subsequent Holiday focusing on the release of the PlayStation 5. Five years later,Ghost of Yoteiwill likely receive the bulk of Sony’s marketing attention over the Holiday season, and it should help push plenty of PlayStation 5 consoles off the shelves.
Sony Shows Confidence By Releasing Ghost of Yotei This Holiday Amidst Grand Theft Auto 6
As it is, though,Ghost of Yotei’s release date feels incredibly bold considering the elephant in the room that isGrand Theft Auto 6. One of the most anticipated game releases in recent memory,Grand Theft Auto 6is expected to release in the back half of the year, and there has been heavy discussion regarding its release cannibalizing other titles. Considering the incomparable success ofGrand Theft Auto 5— over 210 million copies sold, the second-highest-selling game of all time — some publishers may attempt to avoid the Holiday season altogether lest they lose sales to Rockstar’s game.
On one hand, though, Sony’s positioning ofGhost of Yoteiwith an October release as a major Holiday game indicates that the publisher is confident the game will succeed independent of whatGrand Theft Auto 6does. The publisher has every right to be that confident, considering thatGhost of Tsushimawas already one of 2020’s most acclaimed gamesand was a major commercial success with over 13 million copies sold. Combining the previous entry’s success with the great anticipation for this new title, Sony’s new title should find success regardless ofGrand Theft Auto 6’s release.
Sony’s positioning ofGhost of Yoteiwith an October release as a major Holiday game indicates that the publisher is confident the game will succeed independent of whatGrand Theft Auto 6does.
Ghost of Yotei’s Release May Indicate A Grand Theft Auto 6 Delay
In another breath, Sony’s official confirmation ofGhost of Yotei’s date could be a sign thatGrand Theft Auto 6may not even release in 2025. After all, while Rockstar and publisher Take-Two Interactive have frequently reiterated that the game is on track to release last year, no gameplay footage has been shown yet, and the game’s December 2023 trailer remains the only official promotion released thus far.Ghost of Yotei’s release is either a sign thatGrand Theft Auto 6will not release in 2025, or it could be Sony showing impatience with the game dragging its feet and just pushing its own game.
Ghost of Yoteiwill be one of this Holiday’s most exciting games, regardless of what other titles release around it, though the October release feels like a bold and confident move. Considering all the discussion that’s centered around the impendingrelease ofGrand Theft Auto 6, Sony is taking a major swing by positioning it as its big Holiday release regardless of what Take-Two and Rockstar do. Here’s hopingGhost of Yoteidelivers on the years of hype and continues the franchise’s success independent of whatGrand Theft Auto 6does.
