We’re excited to present our first trailer for Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord, featuring PlayStation VR2 gameplay. The game launches on October 26 and is now available for pre-order. Check out the new gameplay below, and then read on for some highlights on how we’re using PS VR2’s unique capabilities to truly immerse players in the Ghostbusters universe. Then, for an extra treat, you can watch a roundtable interview with me and some members of my nDreams team that goes into more detail about the game.
If you’ll excuse the pun, Ghostbusters is a “super” natural fit for cooperative multiplayer VR. Ghostbusters is all about teamwork. There’s no Ghostbusters movie about one person taking on the paranormal on their own, and there’s nothing like wielding the iconic gear together as you get up close and personal with angry ghosts. Add to the mix a new story, a new location, a new crew, and a new cast, and we have the recipe for the best Ghostbusters experience in VR.
Keep an eye on your friends with eye tracking
Eye tracking in PS VR2 is a game-changer when it comes to accuracy and ease of use. We had first-hand experience with the power of eye tracking in our game Synapse, which launched earlier this year. As expected, we’ve implemented it here as well as an option for menu navigation, as well as making it intuitive to capture objects from a distance.
However, it’s been most transformative in our co-op play when it comes to communication, like seeing where your teammates are looking, and also sharing a wink or two! It’s surprising how easy it is to recognize a real-world friend by the gestures of their avatar.
Surround lighting that truly darkens a room
PS VR2’s graphical capabilities help us achieve an emotional tone, like feeling a sense of dread and unease when entering a dark, dimly lit basement that could hide all sorts of unpleasant things. That is, until you unleash your particle launcher and it suddenly fills the room with light.
The power of the PlayStation 5 also allowed for a series of ethereal ghost effects reminiscent of the movies. It’s especially rewarding when they fly directly toward and through you.
These ghosts get inside your head with the haptic technology of the PS VR2 headset
Speaking of ghosts flying through you, as they are known to do, you’ll feel it viscerally thanks to the haptic technology of the PS VR2 headset. The degrees of haptics we can take advantage of allow us to use it in various ways, from subtly indicating to players when something is going on to more impactful effects of our scariest ghost.
Give Mini-Pufts a squeeze with adaptive triggers
The PS VR2 Sense controllers’ adaptive triggers enhance the sense of presence and were particularly effective in bringing the authentic ghost hunting team to life; from the PKE meter and proton wand to the new muon trap “launcher”. In particular, I love priming the proton wand with a partial pressure, before the satisfying click to unleash an explosion of positively charged subatomic particles.
Adaptive triggers come to life when it comes to smashing Mini-Pufts. These little critters like to wreak havoc on you and your equipment at the most inopportune times. Fortunately, you can help your friends: get them off your back and give them a satisfying smash in VR. I think we’re the first VR game where you can squeeze a marshmallow!
And to learn more, check out our roundtable.
One of the interesting things about working on this game is collaborating with Ghost Corp itself, in charge of managing the entire Ghostbusters universe. We had the honor of visiting the set of the upcoming Ghostbusters movie to host a panel discussion about the game. You can check it out below: We cover a lot of topics, from equipment upgrades and the types of missions you’ll encounter to maybe even giving some hints about upcoming DLC after the game’s release. Enjoy… and I’ll see you at Ghostbusters headquarters.
Pre-order Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord now. The game will be available for PS VR2 on October 26, 2023.For a limited time, you can pre-order Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord – Full Containment Edition to get the game, upcoming DLC, and additional content at a discounted price. The upcoming DLC includes additional playable characters, equipment skins, additional content, and more.
