How Silent Hill: Townfall's developer created a fictional town that's still real—'It exists. It's there'

Silent Hill: Townfall's St. Amelia is a fictional town that still exists in the real world. It is a location that is familiar to many Scots, even as it is twisted by fog and trauma, making it a powerful and relatable nightmare. The town's origins and authenticity were a fundamental part of the story from the start, with director Jon McKellan and art director Paul Abbott leaning into Scottish coastal and island towns for inspiration.

The original pitch to Konami described St. Amelia as a small fishing village with Scottish heritage, which was later made more specific. Screen Burn, Konami, and Annapurna collaborated closely on the project, with the publisher being hands-off and supportive of the team's concept. Konami's faith in the project paid off, as St. Amelia was able to capture the essence of Scotland and provide an unsettling yet believable backdrop for the game.