Hello everyone! My name is Eric Chahi and I am the creative director of Pixel Reef. For the upcoming release of our game, Paper Beast Enhanced Edition on PS5 and PS VR2, I wanted to share with you the evolution of the game compared to the original version released for PS4 in 2020.
Paper Beast is one of those unique games that has left an unforgettable mark on players’ memories, largely because of the bonds and connections they formed with the creatures. Cooperation is essential to navigate the dangers of the game’s hostile and often surreal environments, while terraforming and environmental manipulation play an important role. Exploring this wild and unique wilderness exudes a fascinating aura of mystery, where intrigue is intensified by the absence of user interface and dialogue. With the launch of PS VR2, and thanks in large part to the power of PS5, the opportunity to renew Paper Beast was an opportunity we did not want to miss. This new virtual reality platform brings new features and unmatched representation that we wanted to explore. Better yet, this edition of Paper Beast can also be played without VR.
First, let’s talk about visual improvements.
Dynamic textures for water and sand.
Paper Beast is now in 4K and offers excellent sharpness and we have increased the resolution of textures and shadows. Players can now see the bright details on the paper or the shell of the animals. The most impressive thing is the grain of sand; is precise, while the animated texture follows the unique simulations. You can see the sand flowing at the grain level, it is very beautiful in virtual reality. The same goes for water; You can see the current moving.
Atmospheric lighting
Bright lights now illuminate the atmosphere, a feature that François Sahy, the rendering programmer, really liked and that we were also able to integrate thanks to the power of the PS5 and its perseverance in optimizing the code. You can see rays of light filtering in and these rays of light give a surprising impression of volume in virtual reality, making the atmosphere of the game tangible. Additionally, the image has been adjusted to PS VR2’s HDR. Basically, the colors are more vibrant and softer. Each level has been adjusted directly with the PS VR2 in your eyes.
But it’s not just the images that got a boost. The gameplay has evolved too!
Continuous locomotion to enjoy improved immersion.
This is a very important improvement. In addition to teleporting, you can now move fluidly and continuously – it’s much more immersive. Approaching the game’s living things with precision strengthens the emotional connection with the animals, and is a gameplay aspect central to the adventure. Playing this way also allows for more precise manipulation of entities.
An expanded sandbox
Paper Beast’s sandbox has also evolved. The terrain is larger, the total number of entities has increased significantly. In addition, the entities that impact the terrain are more numerous and there are more combinations to play with. An important novelty is that trees and plants become more beautiful over time, with vegetation specific to the current ecosystem. For example, when predators breed around a tree, the vegetation will take on their visual signature.
We hope you’re looking forward to playing Paper Beast and exploring its mysterious universe, with or without VR.
