Ghost of Yotei Devs Used Collector’s Edition Coins to Test Multiplayer

Sucker Punch Productions utilized physical components from the Collector’s Edition of Ghost of Yōtei to develop the multiplayer mechanics for its Zeni Hajiki coin-flicking game. This unconventional prototyping approach was used to establish rules for the competitive player-versus-player (PvP) version of the game within the Legends mode, a free multiplayer co-op update for the PlayStation 5 exclusive RPG.

Darren Bridges, the Legends lead and senior staff designer at Sucker Punch, detailed the process in an interview with Kotaku published April 3, 2026. The team opted for physical prototyping to determine the viability of new rules without the need for initial software development.

According to Bridges, the studio prioritizes finding the absolute fastest way to verify if a concept works. While most tests involve creating simple, unpolished content to test it out in-game, the coin-flicking nature of Zeni Hajiki allowed the team to test rules without writing a single line of code!

The developers used the bag of coins provided in the game’s Collector’s Edition for these tabletop tests. Bridges described the use of these existing physical assets as probably the most efficient prototyping experience in the company’s history.

Integrating PvP into Ghost of Yōtei Legends

The decision to implement PvP Zeni Hajiki in the Legends mode lobby was influenced by fan response following the launch of the main game. The lobby serves as a social space where players can relax between missions.

The Legends mode launched on March 10, 2026, and is available at no additional cost to all owners of Ghost of Yōtei. This mode introduces supernatural enemies and various classes, reimagining the game’s mechanics within a mystical setting.

The multiplayer expansion was announced in 2025 and fully revealed during a State of Play event in February 2026. According to a PlayStation blog post dated March 9, 2026, the mode builds on the foundations of the Legends mode from the series’ previous title.

Development and Production Cycle

Development of the Legends mode occurred concurrently with the single-player campaign. A core team managed the multiplayer systems throughout the development of Ghost of Yōtei, adapting the game’s mechanics for a multiplayer context.

As the main campaign finished, additional staff moved over to flesh out the Legends mode. Bridges compared the rapid escalation and improvement of the mode during this phase to an advent calendar, noting that the team would see something new every morning.

The final result is an online co-op experience that integrates the combat thrills of the main adventure into a supernatural plane, supplemented by the competitive Zeni Hajiki mini-game in the player lobby.