Ghost of Yotei DLC players spot potential Easter egg teasing Sucker Punch's next game

Ghost of Yōtei is catching its second wind one year on from launch, thanks to the arrival of the newly released Ghost of Yōtei: Complete Edition.

Available as an upgrade for existing users or as a standalone release for new players, it includes the base game, the online Legends mode, the Most Wanted roguelike mode, new in-game items, plus a new single-player DLC.

It’s that DLC that’s the source of this latest tidbit of news, as narrative expansion Echoes of Sekigahara features an Easter egg that may be teasing Sucker Punch’s next game.

To find this Easter egg, you’re going to need to head to the Moashoro River region.

There, you’ll assist another bear cub and completing this will lead you to the Easter egg’s location.

Atsu will stumble across a shrine of sorts with wooden carvings paying tribute to Sucker Punch’s previous games, including Rocket: Robot on Wheels, Sly Cooper, Infamous, Ghost of Tsushima, and Ghost of Yōtei.

The trail ends with a rather interesting painting of what looks to be a traditional Japanese castle surrounded by water; two individuals can be seen sailing a small boat through those waters.

There is some accompanying text with players translating one message to read as, “Thank you for everything until now.”

Some believe the other words say Brian and Chris, referring to studio co-founders Brian Fleming and Chris Zimmerman.

With that in mind, this could merely be a sweet Easter egg paying tribute to those individuals and what they’ve contributed to Sucker Punch.

Of course, there are plenty of other theories circulating. Some players believe it’s Sucker Punch’s way of indicating that it’s moving on from the Ghost series.

Others believe it could be teasing a third and final Ghost game - and while I do think we’re wishfully reading into this Easter egg, I do agree that a third instalment feels right.

The late Edo period is perfect for a third and final Ghost game

It would be interesting to see a third and final Ghost game explore more of the Edo period.

Ghost of Yōtei is set in 1603, right at the very beginning of the period.

I’d love to see Sucker Punch tackle the Bakumatsu period, which came right at the end of the Edo era, from 1853 to 1868.

It’s this period that Rise of the Ronin, developed by Team Ninja, explores - and while that’s a game well worth playing, its gameplay formula isn’t quite as enjoyable as Sucker Punch’s Ghost series, with soulslike-inspired mechanics likely putting many off.

READ MORE: Ghost of Yotei's free update is hiding a perfect Ghost of Tsushima Easter egg: 'The GOAT returns'

Players have taken to discussing their wishlist for what’s next.

“Personally, I’m hoping it’s a side game telling the follow-up of Jin’s story and why he ended up in Yōtei since they mentioned so many things about it,” wrote one viewer on JorRaptor’s video about the Easter egg.

“Really hope they don’t move on, love their Ghost games,” added another.

“Make sure to bow in front of each statue for a Sucker Punch logo headband,” someone advised.

Again, I think this is most likely a thank you to those Sucker Punch co-founders, but now that Ghost of Yōtei has launched a single-player DLC, chatter about the studio’s next project is only going to grow.