Jon McKellan
Reporting and statements that mention Jon McKellan.
Latest coverage
Silent Hill Townfall lead was "kept in the dark" about Silent Hill f and 2 remake because the series producer didn't want to "let projects influence each other"
Jon McKellan, director of Silent Hill: Townfall, revealed that Konami kept his development team largely unaware of other concurrent Silent Hill projects like Silent Hill 2 Remake and Silent Hill f. Series producer Motoi Okamoto aimed to prevent projects from influencing each other, though Konami would intervene if designs became too similar.
Silent Hill: Townfall Celebrates Positive Critical Reception With New Accolades Trailer
Screen Burn and Konami are celebrating the critical success of Silent Hill: Townfall with a new trailer showcasing gameplay and positive reviews. The game, set in 1996 Scotland, features classic horror elements alongside unique mid-90s technology integration. Writer Jon McKellan highlighted the era's suitability for horror due to limited technology.
How Silent Hill: Townfall’s “Creepy Game Boy” Weaponizes Nostalgia For The Better
Silent Hill: Townfall's writer, Jon McKellan of Screen Burn, discusses how the game weaponizes 1990s nostalgia through its CRTV device, a 'Creepy Game Boy' inspired gadget. This analogue aesthetic grounds the horror experience, making the unfamiliar feel relatable and enhancing immersion.
Silent Hill: Townfall Comes Out to “Mixed” Reviews on PC, Konami Confirms Patch is in Development
Silent Hill: Townfall has launched on PC with "Mixed" user reviews, citing significant performance issues and technical problems. Despite these criticisms, the game's visuals and atmosphere have been praised. Konami has confirmed a patch is in development for the PC version. The PlayStation 5 version, however, received a positive review score of 9 out of 10, with praise for its story, pacing, and gameplay mechanics.
The scariest part of Silent Hill: Townfall? It's not the monsters—it's British interior design
Silent Hill: Townfall's Scottish island setting of St Amelia is praised for its authentic 1996 British interior design, which evokes a unique sense of unease and familiarity for players. Game director Jon McKellan highlights the meticulous research, including Argos catalogues, used to recreate these spaces. The article argues that this specific environmental detail, rather than monsters, is the game's scariest and most compelling aspect.
Silent Hill: Townfall - All Details: Setting, Release & More
Silent Hill: Townfall is set to release on September 24, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. Developed by Screen Burn Interactive and co-published by Konami and Annapurna Interactive, the game shifts the series to a first-person perspective on a remote Scottish island, featuring a new protagonist named Simon Ordell and a unique CRTV mechanic for interacting with the environment and enemies. This installment continues Konami's approach of treating Silent Hill as a framework for diverse psychological horror stories.
Silent Hill: Townfall Completes The Series’ Comeback With Another Great Entry
Silent Hill: Townfall is a strong addition to the series' comeback, offering a familiar yet unique horror experience. The game successfully captures the series' signature unsettling atmosphere and melancholy, while introducing innovative gameplay mechanics like the handheld CRTV device for stealth and combat. Its narrative, set in Scotland, explores themes of tragedy and accountability, standing as a standalone entry that honors the series' past while forging a new path.
Silent Hill: Townfall's Scotland setting is "really weird for players," but it's one of the game's highlights
Silent Hill: Townfall's developers at Screen Burn have chosen Scotland as the game's setting, a decision that writer and director Jon McKellan believes is a unique strength. Producer Motoi Okamoto also discussed the choice with Konami. The first-person perspective and atmospheric Scottish environment are highlighted as key elements for player connection and tension.
Silent Hill: Townfall’s Use of PS5 Features, DualSense Controller Detailed
Silent Hill: Townfall will leverage the PlayStation 5's features, including 3D audio and ray tracing, to enhance its horror atmosphere. Developer Screen Burn will utilize the DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers for immersive gameplay. The game is set in 1996 and will be released on PC and PlayStation 5.
Silent Hill: Townfall is the most Scottish game I've ever played and the most effective horror game I've seen in ages: 'It made sense for us to dig deep into our upbringings, into our past, and try and build a place that felt believable'
Silent Hill: Townfall is praised for its effective use of Scottish culture and 90s nostalgia to create a deeply unsettling psychological horror experience. Developer Screen Burn, led by Jon McKellan, meticulously crafted a believable Scottish town, St. Amelia, drawing from personal upbringings and authentic details to enhance the game's atmosphere and themes of medical trauma and community impact.
KONAMI PRESS START Reveals Rhapsody in Scarlet, Project Zircon and More | Invision Game Community
KONAMI's PRESS START event revealed several new titles including Rhapsody in Scarlet, a story-driven action-adventure set in 1920s New York, and Project Zircon, a deck-building roguelike. Updates were also provided for KONAMI Wai Wai World Craft, SILENT HILL: Townfall, Rev. NOiR, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, and eFootball Kick-Off!.
Silent Hill: Townfall’s 1996 Setting is “Almost Like the Perfect Time For Horror”, Says Writer
Silent Hill: Townfall writer Jon McKellan explained that the game's 1996 setting was chosen because the technology of the era was not advanced enough to assist the player, creating a perfect environment for horror. This choice aligns with developer Screen Burn's thematic focus on archaic technology. The game is set to release on September 24th for PC and PlayStation 5.
Silent Hill Townfall taps back into analog horror, but its tech is "never going to lie to you"
Screen Burn's Jon McKellan and Konami's Motoi Okamoto discuss Silent Hill: Townfall's approach to analog horror and its unique CRTV mechanic. The game, set in 1996 Scotland, utilizes a first-person perspective and a pocket television to create an immersive and unsettling experience, with the CRTV serving as a reliable tool for players. The developers emphasized Konami's trust in Screen Burn's creative vision for the new installment.
The '90s are a "perfect time for horror," says Silent Hill: Townfall dev who wants the game to make you…
Silent Hill: Townfall writer Jon McKellan explains that the game's 1996 setting was chosen to evoke a sense of discomfort, reflecting the socio-economic climate of the UK at the time and the limitations of technology. The absence of smartphones and readily available digital maps contributes to the intended atmosphere of unease and isolation for players.
I found solace from Silent Hill: Townfall's stealthy horror in the soothing Britishness of its abandoned homes
Silent Hill: Townfall, developed by Screen Burn Interactive, offers a stealth-focused survival horror experience set in a 1990s Scottish village. The game emphasizes evasion and puzzle-solving over combat, utilizing a unique CRTV device to track enemies. Director Jon McKellen highlights the nostalgic British setting and the deliberate clunkiness of the technology to enhance the unsettling atmosphere.
Silent Hill: Townfall’s Otherworld is Tinged in Red and Swarming With Monsters in New Gameplay
New gameplay footage for Silent Hill: Townfall reveals the game's "Otherworld" as a red-tinged, monster-filled environment. Players will utilize Simon's pistol and environmental tactics like locking doors to navigate and survive encounters with fleshy monsters. The survival horror title is set to launch on September 24th for PlayStation 5 and PC.
How Silent Hill: Townfall gets deep into its protagonist's headspace
Silent Hill: Townfall, developed by Screen Burn, aims to deliver a deeply immersive psychological horror experience through a first-person perspective. The game focuses on protagonist Simon Ordell's internal struggles and his search for his significant other in the eerie Scottish town of St. Amelia, incorporating social commentary and analog horror elements. Developers Jon McKellan and Motoi Okamoto emphasize a grounded narrative and character connections, drawing inspiration from intelligent thrillers and drawing parallels to games like Alien Isolation for its survival mechanics.
Silent Hill: Townfall’s CRTV is “Authentic” Because Screen Burn Actually Used (and Abused) Old TVs
Silent Hill: Townfall developer Screen Burn is using authentic CRT screen effects for its in-game device by feeding footage through old hardware and intentionally damaging cables. Director Jon McKellan stated this approach is crucial for the story's feel, differentiating it from traditional maps. The game will feature five endings, with two secret ones unlocked via New Game Plus, and releases September 24th for PlayStation 5 and PC.
Silent Hill: Townfall's dev team wrecked old TVs with magnets to make its in-game gadget feel real
The development team behind Silent Hill: Townfall, Screen Burn, used old televisions and magnets to create an authentic analogue feel for the game's in-game gadget, the CRTV. Writer and director Jon McKellan explained that running gameplay footage through damaged hardware was key to achieving this realistic effect. The article also touches on the broader revival of the Silent Hill franchise and its focus on psychological horror narratives.
Silent Hill: Townfall's devs say they're purposefully playing against your nostalgic tech feelings, but I'm not sure it'll work on me
Developers of Silent Hill: Townfall are intentionally using '90s analog technology, like a portable CRT replacing the series' iconic radio, to play against players' nostalgic feelings. Director Jon McKellan explained that while they have a fondness for this tech, they aim to create unease by making players rely on devices that feel unstable and unreliable. The author questions whether this approach will be effective on players with a personal connection to such retro technology.
