The launch of PlayStation VR2 is fast approaching and will bring a whole new wave of mind-blowing and fully immersive experiences to the PlayStation ecosystem. Among the most anticipated launch window titles is Horizon Call of the Mountain, an all-new adventure set in the world of Horizon. As Ryas, a disgraced soldier seeking a path to redemption, you’ll experience the beautiful landscapes and fearsome machines of Horizon like never before. Guerilla and co-developer Firesprite crafted this PlayStation VR2-exclusive adventure specifically to showcase PlayStation VR2 features.
We spoke with several members of the Guerrilla and Firesprite development teams to learn more about the processes and challenges of creating the expansive VR world of Call of the Mountain, as well as what players can expect from this gaming title. spectacular launch.
Haptic feedback and headphone feedback immerse you in the world:
Alex Barnes, associate game director at Firesprite, was quick to bring PS VR2 features into the game in a big way. “The PS VR2 Sense controllers and haptic feedback from the headset have been key for us in building a world that feels alive around you in PS VR2,” he says. you pull a bowstring to fire an arrow, advanced haptics let us show what it feels like to be fully immersed in the world of Horizon. This is a brand new way to give VR gamer feedback that is incredibly rewarding. »
Seeing the players and their reactions to all the big and small events is especially satisfying for Barnes. “It’s always special to see people react to moments like the feeling of a stormbird flapping its wings in flight,” he adds.
Redesign machines for a new POV:
Since you’re seeing the action with Ryas’ eyes, the developers had to make some adjustments to Horizon’s infamous mechanical terrors. “The team wanted to make sure the awesome machines reach new heights in Horizon Call of the Mountain,” notes Richard Oud, Animation Studio Director at Guerrilla. “Seeing them up close makes them feel even more imposing and realistic thanks to the added sense of scale. This level of immersion, achieved through the virtual reality space, brings each machine to life in a way that players have never experienced before.
Due to the first-person perspective and the environment, the models and animations of several machines had to be readjusted, explains Oud. “The VR headset allows for a more detailed and interactive experience and lets players see the machines from new angles. A lot of work has gone into redesigning combat and animations to allow for this. And even more attention has gone into been brought to in-combat readability to ensure machine attacks and behavior are clear from a new perspective.Players can now use their physical movements to strafe, aim, and fire, adding an extra level of realism and gameplay. action to battles.
What it’s like to work with a new composer to create a new soundscape:
As Guerilla audio director Bastian Seelbach describes, creating a new sound that matches the vibe and style of the Horizon series for a VR game like Call of the Mountain was another challenge. “We wanted our approach to the Horizon Call of the Mountain soundtrack to be closely tied to the style we established for Aloy’s adventures in Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West.”
The team called on the expertise of composer Alistair Kerley. “Our goal was for players familiar with the franchise to feel instantly at home. [Kerley] won us over quickly with his vision of our themes which beautifully struck that balance between Aloy’s journey and what we were doing with Call of the Mountain. Ryas’ theme immediately fits into the world of Horizon while having its own fresh, recognizable and distinct sound. We couldn’t be happier with the results, and look forward to our players experiencing the world of Horizon through the musical prism of Ryas.
Adapting the world of Horizon to virtual reality:
The Horizon series is known for its beautiful landscapes and engaging gameplay, but it’s also known as a flat-screen, third-person experience. Why take the series out of its “comfort zone,” so to speak? “Horizon Call of the Mountain is a unique new Horizon adventure that the team has built from the ground up for PlayStation’s next-gen VR hardware,” says Jan-Bart van Beek, Studio Director and Studio Art Director at Guerrilla . “Virtual reality tends to be an intense gaming experience, and it’s been great to take advantage of the new PS VR2 hardware as it gives gamers an authentic experience where they’re immersed in the gaming world on a whole new level. “
The development team saw creating a new type of Horizon game experience that stuck to a series as an exciting prospect. “With Horizon Call of the Mountain, we challenged ourselves to create a game that would be a fantastic gaming experience, not only for VR veterans, but also for newcomers,” van Beek points out. “We look forward to players stepping into a vivid and immersive world and allowing them to experience a deep level of interaction with the world with their own hands.”
Ryas Bow Design:
The weapon Ryas will use most frequently is his trusty bow. With the player frequently seeing the weapon from a first-person perspective, nailing the weapon’s design and functionality was key, as Firesprite Associate Art Director Rob Sutton explains. “When designing Ryas’ bow, we were inspired by the Shadow Sharpshot bow from Horizon Zero Dawn due to Ryas’ connection to the Shadow Carja. Over time, Ryas made his own improvements and customizations, partly to craft a more effective weapon, but also to distance itself from its Shadow Carja past.
The designers knew the arc would be one of the most common sights in the game and wanted it to look like a character. “Since the player would never see Ryas’s face, we started thinking of the bow as a representation of him. We knew it had to be awesome and realistic in VR. All the mechanics and joints needed to function properly, because you could see them up close. Sutton assured that no detail was spared: “For example, when the bow is fully drawn, little carbon fiber feathers at the top open up; I always thought that it was some kind of threat you might see in birds!”
As you can see, Call of the Mountain was designed as a special experience for fans of the series and newcomers, one that the developers put a lot of thought, love, and effort into. On February 22, you can experience the incredible technology that powers PS VR2 and take the fate of Ryas directly into your hands with the most immersive Horizon game yet.
