Many of you who have already played Rise of the Ronin may have noticed some elements of our previous works such as Ninja Gaiden and Nioh from Team Ninja. Today we’re excited to share some of the behind-the-scenes development stories for the first time. Plus we share details on an upcoming game update.
Ninja Gaiden connections
The Iga-Ninja Armor is one of Rise of the Ronin’s connections with Ninja Gaiden, an action game from Team Ninja.
From a very early development stage, we have discussed with PlayStation Studio’s XDEV team our desire to include costumes from the Ninja Gaiden series. When considering which costumes and weapons to implement, we’ve agreed on the costume of the main character, Ryu Hayabusa, as an iconic and recognizable costume for an in-game armor design.
Historically, ninjas are said to have existed during the Bakumatsu period (late 19th century), which is the setting for Rise of the Ronin so there is a high degree of affinity with the worldview of these titles.
One of the combat styles, Hayabusa-ryu, was initially implemented at the same speed as in the original, but the attacks were so fast and extremely powerful that we struggled to adjust them to match the game speed of this new version for Rise of the Ronin.
In addition to Hayabusa’s iconic moves, such as the Izuna Drop, we also incorporated as many of Ninja Gaiden’s techniques as possible, such as his Ultimate Technique.
Rise of the Ronin marks the first appearance of Ninja Gaiden-related content on PS5, so re-creating these features in high-resolution 4K format was a challenge. The distinctive costumes of the Hayabusa-ryu ninja, such as the raptor-inspired headgear and sleeveless armor, were newly designed with the image of reconstructing them with weapons and materials from the end of the Edo period. We believe that this fits seamlessly into the worldview of this game and hope that our fans of the series will enjoy these references.
Nioh series connections
As it has been nearly two months since the release of Rise of the Ronin, let me give you a bit of a spoiler, that William, the main character of Nioh, appears as a hidden boss in this game. We decided to have him appear early in the planning stage, as we thought it would be a pleasant surprise for those who have played the Nioh series.
As the game is set in the late Edo period when Japanese and Western cultures started mixing, and many Westerners such as Commodore Matthew Perry appear, so I believe the appearance of William wearing armor was implemented in a way that didn’t feel out of place.
Regarding the combat style Nioh-ryu, we initially had an idea of making the three stances that are characteristic to the series, upper, middle, and lower, into independent styles, but since the controls would have been too complicated, and because we felt that Nioh really is about fighting while switching between the three stances in real time, we implemented it as one style that encompasses the three stances. Nioh has a large number of techniques, so we had a hard time deciding which techniques to include.
The armor he is wearing is based on the Obsidian Armor that appeared in the Nioh series, and incorporates distressed design that evokes the passage of time from the Nioh era to the end of the Edo period.
The effect of the Blade Flash in Rise of the Ronin is the Ki Pulse in Nioh. Flux can also be used, and by holding down the martial arts input, you can perform the martial arts move directly from any stance without changing stances. It’s a difficult style to master, but we think it’s been incorporated into the action in a Team Ninja style, so we hope you’ll give it a try.
Other than William’s appearance, just like Ninja Gaiden, Nioh is not influenced by the story, so even those who have never played Nioh will be able to enjoy the world of Rise of the Ronin purely.
Looking back on the start of this project, Rise of the Ronin had been in development for more than seven years. The game takes on many new challenges and pursues the kind of action and worldview that is characteristic of Team Ninja, and as we explained in this article, we believe that the game is packed with elements that will please fans from previous titles. I hope this article will help you better enjoy the game’s world even more.
Additionally, we’ll be releasing a new update later this week.
New and expanded content
5 new Ally Missions added.
When replaying a world in Midnight, you can choose to have Public Order deteriorate again.
Level sync selection feature added to missions from Testament of the Soul.
Two new Set Bonuses added to Midnight difficulty.
Addition of dojo training partners.
Add Martial Skill type bonus and raise limit of target score.
Gameplay Improvements
When equipped with the same weapon type on weapons 1 and 2, the number of styles can be expanded to a maximum of 6.
Changed the specifications so that special equipment will be given even if the player does not confess.
Changed the specifications so that greetings with characters after a breakup will return to normal over time.
Adjusted to make it easier for asynchronous characters to be selected.
Thank you for continuously supporting Rise of the Ronin!
Until Then is a stunning narrative adventure set in a charming pixelated world inspired by the Philippines. Playing as protagonist Mark, you navigate day-to-day high school insecurities until he begins to realize something more mysterious is going on. Between juggling homework deadlines, navigating relationships, practicing piano, and investigating the strange occurrences happening in between, the developers also sprinkled endearing minigames throughout the story that create depth and delight out of what could have been just mundane moments.
For example, a walk to the fishball stand to subdue hunger pangs turns into a fierce competition for who can fill up their fishball stick the fastest. Getting extra meta, play the video game within a video game with Cathy & Mark to find out who is the fastest racer. And, of course, what would a carnival outing with friends be without all the classic fair games like whack-a-mole?
Beyond being just plain entertaining, Until Then’s minigames resonate in unique ways and those among the development team have their own opinions about which minigame stands out among the rest.
A minigame to create interactive worldbuilding
Mickole Klein Nulud, Game Director of Polychroma Games, has nostalgic ties to the ticket vending machine from chapter 1 of the game. “I’d always used them in my college days so it’s nostalgic,” said Nulud. “I replicated its user interface from the real world to the game in detail, which was a very fun process for me.”
Moments in the game like the ticket vending machine, were included to help break up the flow of the game’s dialogue-heavy nature and to create moments of interactive worldbuilding. “It sets up the tone of what kind of experience the player is going to get, where minigames can be as mundane as possible but true to life,” Nulud added.
A minigame to showcase character development
Senior Environment Artist Pia Demanawa’s favorite minigame, the haunted house in the perya, calls out to Filipino culture.‘Perya’ is a Tagalog word for ‘fair’, like a carnival. These week-long events take place throughout the year and are a unique part of Philippine celebrations. From game booths to rides to food stalls, a perya is a place of fun and entertainment for people of all ages.
Until Then brings this to life in chapter 10. Mark runs into one of the new students at the carnival and, after a bit of banter, bets that he can scare more people in the haunted house than she can. You then have two minutes to chase NPCs around the creepy maze, gaining points for each person successfully frightened.
“On its surface, [the haunted house] uses elements of Filipino mythology such as the Kiwig [a shapeshifter that preys on humans] and the Minokawa [a giant, dragon-like bird that can swallow the moon and sun],” Demanawa shared. “The designer for the art of the minigame itself, Vanessa Sumo, really encapsulated what a low-budget, Filipino-themed haunted house would look like from the inside with the stereotypical bahay kubo and the random chickens. The art director, Dominique Duran, additionally found inspiration for aesthetics from the 2012 RPGMaker horror game called Ib, and I thought that it was a wonderful homage to the cult-classic story game.”
Without spoiling too much, this competitive, haunted minigame creates a special moment for Mark, Until Then’s lead, telling more of the story not through the typical dialogue interaction but rather through character interaction within the minigame.
“Because of that, I don’t think the chapter is complete without it,” Demanawa added. “It’s needed to see the character development and charisma that bounces off of these two specific characters. It makes you happy for them, and, I think, it makes you root for them too.”
Minigames to foreshadow story events
Some minigames can be so subtle they might be easy to miss. Joshua James San Juan, Programmer, loves interacting with the school bulletin board. “It’s just fun and satisfying,” he shared, “like the ‘pop’ sound it makes when you remove the pins and watch the posters fall all over the place.”
For players who pay close attention to the details on the board, you might even find some enlightening clues to what’s coming later in the game. “I think it’s a clever way of showing or hinting at what events are happening and what will take place in the future without directly stating it,” San Juan said. “It also gives a little bit of lore on the setting of the story that will make them understand the world better.”
Minigames to just take a break
There are no surprises here. Kyle Patrick Naval is the game’s composer and has a particular fondness for the jeepney rhythm minigame. “I love playing rhythm games, and making music for that specific minigame was a super fun process,” he shared.
Some minigames might not necessarily have a narrative purpose but can add variety to the gameplay and give players a breather from intense moments. “I think it gives the character somewhat of a little break from what they are experiencing, enjoying the little things, as they say,” Naval said. “It gives the player new minigames to explore and play, and to look forward to what else they might discover in the game.”
There’s never a dull moment in Until Then. From friendly competition and compelling minigame mechanics to breathtaking scenery and tear-jerking story moments, expect a rollercoaster of emotions and interactions. Until Then launches May 23 on PS5.
Last week we asked you to take in the view from your favorite games, and share memorable landscapes and environments using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights:
MrioMoreno5shares a sky gondola and bridge in The Artful Escape.
bardfinnie shares Ellie gazing out at a lush mountain and forest landscape in The Last of Us Part II Remastered.
photomodeoftsu shares the flooded pavilion of Eidos 7 in Stellar Blade.
call_me_xavii shares Aloy running across a vast desert in Horizon Forbidden West.
scottoka1 shares a blue oasis town in the middle of a desert in Final Fantasy XVI.
jdmsantos07 shares a massive ship lodged between rocks in a craggy cave of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?
THEME: Mythical SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on May 22, 2024
Next week, we’re turning the lens on legends and myths. Share mythical characters or creatures you’ve encountered the a game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.
Monstrous giants lurk in the unfathomable depths of the Blue Hole, their formidable presence striking terror into the hearts of any who dare to venture into their domain. They interfere with Dave’s tranquil fishing pursuits, yet unwittingly become prime ingredients for his sushi restaurant. Their colossal forms lend an unexpected and savory twist to the culinary creations.
Godzilla, the mighty monarch of monsters whose legendary reign celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, now emerges to make a historic appearance within the depths of the Blue Hole. Prepare to encounter the awe-inspiring Godzilla, arriving May 23.*
G-Force, the military organization from the Godzilla series
G-Force, an international joint military organization formed by the United Nations and the JSDF, is tasked with the paramount mission of safeguarding humanity and upholding global peace. They follow Godzilla’s trail, leading them to the elusive depths of the Blue Hole.
“Godzilla was wounded. We tracked down its brainwaves, and they led us here…”
Kaiju discovered in the abyss
While diving in the shadowy depths of the Blue Hole looking for fish, Dave is confronted with Godzilla, injured and recovering from his wounds. Wariness grips the mighty titan as he senses Dave’s approach, but it looks like he might just need some assistance from an unexpected ally.
Watch out for the relentless Kaiju in pursuit
Embark on an exhilarating adventure in the Godzilla DLC where you’ll engage in a heart-pounding pursuit with Ebirah, the iconic deep-sea Kaiju from the 1966 live-action movie [Ebirah, horror of the deep]. Plunge into the oceanic depths to evade Ebirah’s assaults as the creature relentlessly pursues the submarine carrying Dave and Miki.
Epic battle with Ebirah
Harpoons prove ineffective against the Kaiju’s impenetrable shell. In a daring move, Dave abandons his usual gear for a more formidable approach. Boarding the G-Force submarine to confront Ebirah head-on. Despite his lack of experience in submarine piloting, Dave needs to stay focused to penetrate Ebirah’s shell.
On whose side does Godzilla stand…?
Godzilla is infamous for his city-razing rampages, yet beneath his fearsome exterior lies its true nature, defending the planet against looming threats. When another malevolent Kaiju emerges Godzilla’s allegiance might unexpectedly align with yours.
Beneath the calm surface of Dave the Diver’s world lies a host of lurking dangers in the depths.
Amidst the looming presence of Godzilla, brace yourself and venture into the increasingly perilous depths of the Blue Hole.
*Dave the Diver— Godzilla Content Pack is a time-limited free DLC, only available from May 23 until November 23.
Gamers take a lot of unique and interesting names at face value, but there’s always an insightful origin story to be told. We spoke with Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Johan Pilestedt about how the name of the studio and Helldivers franchise came to be. Read on to learn how a translated last name, WWII airplane, and tongue-in-cheek humor played into these titles.
Behind the name “Arrowhead Games”
PlayStation Blog: How did your team come up with the name for Arrowhead Game Studios?
Johan Pilestedt: When we tried to come up with a studio name, we had a long day of throwing ideas around, but ultimately, only Arrowhead stuck, and without much competition.
The name “Arrowhead” mainly came out of two main ideas. One, my last name is Pilestedt, which can be directly translated to English as “arrow stead.” We also liked the idea that “Arrowhead” sounds like a serious company. Tip of the arrow. Cutting edge. Then you see the logo [a person with an arrow comically piercing their head] and the meaning changes into something dumber.
We did, somewhat cheekily, decide to call our studio “Arrowhead Game Studios” plural, just in case we would grow to encompass more than one studio someday. Now, the name stands as a reminder of our student beginnings, when we were five people in a small room on LTU campus. Even the logo hasn’t changed much since then. We’re still chasing the same dream: to change the games industry with the power of fantasy-first co-op games.
How the “Helldivers” game title came
On the surface, “Helldivers” is a perfect title for a game about soldiers dropping into hostile planets brimming with enemies. What else is there to say about the title’s origins?
Pilestedt: “Helldivers” was a thought on the phrases “war is hell” and “diving into war.” So Helldivers it became. Also, we wanted a name that reflected the activity that you would do in the game. The “Helldivers” name had also lingered in the back of my name since I learned the name of the World War II era Curtiss SB2C “Helldiver” dive bomber. I’ve always wanted to do something with it.
The Helldivers name fit so well that it actually stayed the same from the earliest pitches to the final product. On an emotional level, we wanted the name “Helldivers” to evoke the feeling of going up against insurmountable odds and that you’ll probably die.
For those prepared to dive into the insurmountable opposition of Helldivers 2, Arrowhead Game Studios’ sci-fi co-op shooter is available now on PS5 and PC. Learn more about the latest Polar Patriots Premium Warbond available in Helldivers 2.
Witness the end of the Wild West era, become the world’s greatest secret agent, take on the role of a rising underworld star, brave an alien world, and much more with May’s PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup! Red Dead Redemption 2, Deceive Inc., Crime Boss: Rockay City, Stranded: Alien Dawn, and many more titles are available from May 21. We’re also announcing new classic titles coming to PlayStation Plus Premium.
Let’s take a closer look at each game.
PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium | Game Catalog
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Red Dead Redemption 2* | PS4
From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a sprawling tale of life in America at the dawn of the modern age. The end of the Wild West era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. Those who will not surrender or succumb are killed.
After a robbery goes badly wrong in the Western town of Blackwater, Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde Gang are forced to flee. With federal agents and the best bounty hunters in the nation massing on their heels, the gang must rob, steal, and fight their way across the rugged heartland of America in order to survive. As deepening internal divisions threaten to tear the gang apart, Arthur must make a choice between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang who raised him.
Red Dead Redemption 2 also includes Red Dead Online — the multiplayer experience set in the living world of Red Dead Redemption 2 — ride solo or form a posse; run moonshine; battle lawmen, outlaw gangs, ferocious wild animals, and much more as you forge your own path on the American frontier.
*PlayStation Plus re-release.
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Deceive Inc. | PS5
Go undercover as the world’s greatest secret agents in this multiplayer game of social stealth and subterfuge. Disguise yourself as anyone to blend into the crowd, deploy high-tech gadgets to gain the upper hand, and extract the package before the competition takes it for themselves! No trick is too dirty when you work for Deceive Inc.
Pick your play style with a roster of diverse agents, each with their own customizable weapon and skillset. From world-renowned burglars to up-and-coming espionage sensations, Deceive Inc. prides itself on being an equal-opportunity employer.
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The Sims 4 City Living** | PS4
Take your Sims to the city and explore everything it has to offer, from bustling action outside your door, to unique situations that come only with apartment living in The Sims 4 City Living. Explore a densely populated, urban city with a variety of neighborhoods each with its own unique personality. Enrich and grow your Sims by taking them to different festivals all over the city where they can watch street performers, enter competitions, and meet different walks of life.
Experience the challenges that come with your Sims’ first apartment, then work your way up the penthouse of their dreams.
**Requires The Sims 4 to play. The Sims 4 is sold separately.
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Crime Boss: Rockay City | PS5
Take on the role of rising underworld star, Travis Baker (Michael Madsen), as you set your sights on becoming the new king of Rockay City. In the solo roguelike campaign, you’ll employ strategy and firepower to carry out cunning heists and claim turf from rival gang leaders, all while trying to evade capture by the tenacious Sheriff Norris (Chuck Norris). Work with your team of planners and handlers, and discover how they each ended up in Rockay City in thrilling flashback missions. Alternatively, form your own gang in online PvE multiplayer and work together to stage audacious robberies.
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The Settlers: New Allies | PS4
The Settlers: New Allies is a strategy game with an in-depth build-up experience and real-time strategic battles. Choose among three factions: the Elari, the Maru, and the Jorn. Each has a unique look, playstyle, and background story. Experience a story-driven campaign set in the world of The Settlers, or go for the special Hardcore mode and its additional challenges. Play online with up to eight players in thrilling skirmish battles against other players or AI for long-lasting fun.
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Stranded: Alien Dawn | PS4, PS5
Brave a new world in Stranded: Alien Dawn, a planet survival sim placing the fate of a small marooned group in your hands. Forge your story through compelling and immersive strategic gameplay as you make vital decisions to protect your survivors from starvation, disease, extreme weather and more. From basic camps to fortified bases, create a stronghold to defend the survivors from attacks by alien creatures that roam an expansive and deadly alien world. Experience an epic and unpredictable journey.
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Cat Quest | PS4
Cat Quest is an open world RPG set in the pawsome world of cats! In search of your catnapped sister you pounce into the massive continent of Felingard – a world crafted in the style of overworld maps of yore and purring with cat-tastic characters, stories, and puns.
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Cat Quest II | PS4
Cat Quest II is a 2D open-world action-RPG set in a fantasy realm of cats and dogs. Under threat from a continuing war between the cats of Felingard and the advancing dogs of the Lupus Empire, CAT QUEST II tells the tail of two kings, brought together against their will, on a journey of paw-some discovery to reclaim their thrones.
Play as both a cat and dog as you explore their kingdoms solo or with a friend in local co-op! Quest in a world filled with magic, curious monsters, and go on a catventure like never before!
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The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame | PS4
The alien monster invaders have left Bricksburg in ruins and taken Emmet’s friends! It is now up to Emmet and a host of heroic characters to go beyond their world and save their friends from the strange inhabitants of the Systar System. Journey into outer space, discover new worlds, and test your Master Building skills.
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Watch Dogs* | PS4
Play as brilliant hacker Aiden Pearce, who is on the hunt for those who hurt his family in this open world, Chicago-set adventure. You’ll be able to monitor and hack all who surround you by manipulating everything connected to the city’s network. Using your smartphone, you have real-time control over the city’s infrastructure. Trap your enemy in a 30-car pileup by manipulating the traffic lights. Stop a train, and then board it to evade the authorities. Narrowly escape capture by quickly raising a drawbridge. Anything connected to the city’s CTOS can become your weapon.
*PS Plus re-release.
PlayStation Premium | Classics
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2Xtreme | PS4, PS5
Snowboard in Japan, in-line skate in Last Vegas, mountain bike in Africa, skateboard in Los Angeles and more in this multi-discipline racing game. Compete in a season on 12 intensely insane courses. Two-player split-screen racing, 4 levels of difficulty and Create your own Player make 2 Xtreme a rush! Experience 2Xtreme (first released on the original PlayStation). enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters.
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G-Police | PS4, PS5
Prowl the skylines in your weapons-loaded DASA-Kamov gunship as a member of the G-Police. Tear between, around and under obstacles like skyscrapers and bridges with 360° flight as you battle menacing rebel ships in the air and heavily armed vehicles on the ground across 35 strategic combat and flight missions. You’ll wreak havoc as you take on the hardcore criminal element terrorizing the gritty cities of 21st century Callisto. Experience G-Police (first released on the original PlayStation), enhanced with up-rendering, rewind, quick save, and custom video filters.
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Worms Pinball | PS4, PS5
Prepare for an action-packed pinball simulation of pure wormage! Worms Pinball offers a table sporting 3D LED displayed sub-games and parallel objectives, transparent ramps, user-controllable moving gadgets, bounce and flip passes, bang backs, death saves… and much more! The depth of gameplay, variety of action, and sophisticated table rules ensure that Worms Pinball will have all gamers, not just hard-core pinheads, hooked.
A note for our PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members: as part of our normal content refresh, a selection of titles, such as Horizon Zero Dawn, will leave Game Catalog later this month. Members with Game Catalog benefits can still play these games until May 21. You can always check the ‘Last chance to play section’ on the PlayStation Plus -> Collections page on the PS5 console, or PlayStation Plus -> Games -> Games Catalog on the PS4 console for titles you might want to play before they leave the service.
Get ready to set sail, me hearties! I’m Desmond, Designer and Artist at The Gentlebros and today we’re revealing some of the new crewmates and nefarious villains that await you in the newest entry into the Cat Quest series – Cat Quest III coming to PS5 and PS4 on August 8.
In Cat Quest III, players will explore a treasure trove of picturesque islands and meet a bevy of meow-sterious characters as they set sail in pursuit of the legendary North Star. Some of these characters will assist your adventures and prove to be valuable crewmates for the journey ahead… while other devious Pi-rats and nefarious villains will try to ruin your day! Let’s meet some of the new characters you’ll meet on this seafaring adventure.
Your trusty spirit companion, Captain Cappey is with you every step of the way on your adventures. His main goal is to be the greatest pirate that ever lived, although he’s long past the ‘living’ stage. Whether sharing their wisdom or explaining the ins and outs of being a pirate, Captain Cappey is the purr-fect guide for you.
This furrmidable feline is Mama Milka, proud owner of The Milky Barrel tavern, serving cats across the land milk instead of rum. She’ll offer some guidance to kick off your adventure in search of the mythical North Star, giving the first clues to take on Captain Meowtallika. Additionally, turn in Mama Milka’s pirate (or pi-rat!) bounties to get stat-boosting jugs o’ milk – an essential beverage for any would-be privateers! These equippable trinkets boost a specific ability or stat, like the Pawer Milk which makes the player attack faster the more they attack! Players can equip as many of these trinkets as they want as long as they have spare customization slots in their gear.
Brother of series favourite Kit Cat, Kidd Cat is a mischievous kitten and the local blacksmith. Throughout your adventures you’ll find a boatload of gear to customize your feline friend, from hats and eye-patches to boots and swords! Upgrading your gear with coins found in the world around you makes you both stronger and more durable in a fight, so you can take on tougher challenges. Be sure to visit frequently and enhance your gear to make a pawesome loadout!
Avast! Two nefarious pirates who are out to spoil your day: Captain Meowtallika and Captain Takomeowki! Captain Meowtallika is the leader of the metalhead pirates, known for their heavy metal concerts. Captain Meowtallika was inspired by heavy metal musicians, so we wanted the boss fight to reflect this and staged it on a literal concert stage! During the fight, Meowtallika will play various riffs on his guitar which correspond to different attack patterns that the player has to dodge in time – it’s sure to be absolutely electrifying.
Captain Takomeowki is the captain of the Spicy Squids – the tentacoolest crew who refuse to bow down to the Pi-rat King. Takomeowki was inspired by some of our favorite Japanese foods! Also, a lot of the development team loves bullet-hell shooters, and since Takomeowki is a magic user, we wanted to really lean into this and have players dodge a constant barrage of his hot and spicy magic! These ferocious villains will try to curtail your search for the North Star – so watch out.
The most furrmidable pirate in all the land – none have challenged him and survived to tell the tale! The Pi-rat King has been cursed so he can never die, but also never heal, hence his design, being an amalgamation of stitches and spare parts – he seeks the answers to end his curse and will stop at nothing to find them.
But that’s not all in Cat Quest III: there are many, many other villainous foes that we haven’t shown yet. Players can also face off with a 10-storey tall Cthulhu monster, a Necromouser, a giant raging Boar and so many more.
Do you have what it takes to defeat these unstoppable fiends? There’s only one way to find out – Wishlist Cat Quest III for PS4 and PS5 now, ready for its release August 8.
Dead by Daylight: Dungeons & Dragons features one of the most iconic characters in the D&D mythos – the archlich Vecna – as well as the original Bard Survivor Aestri Yazar (and her playable counterpart, Baermar Uraz). Also coming is the Forgotten Ruins Map, a dark fantasy-inspired Realm befitting of The Whispered One’s presence.
Countless players have immersed themselves in the world of Dungeons & Dragons – including many of us on the Dead by Daylight team – and it was important to capture the experience and characters players know and love. It was an exciting challenge for Principal Game Designer Janick Neveu, who was tasked with bringing the all-powerful Vecna to life.
“We wanted to explore magic and really delve into the spellcasting aspect of the Killer,” he explains. “The first thing we did was look at Vecna’s recently updated lore and stat block from Wizards of the Coast. We then compiled a list of potential spells and tried to identify game mechanics that would translate to DbD.”
After deliberation and a few rounds of prototyping, the team ultimately landed on four distinct spells: Fly, Flight of the Damned, Dispelling Sphere, and Mage Hand. During a game, Vecna can cycle through his spell book and select whichever spell he wishes to use, with each one excelling at a different role.
“Fly allows Vecna to traverse the map quickly,” notes Neveu, citing the impact Killer mobility can have on a match. “Mobility is an interesting element that’s present on many other Killers, and it’s always appreciated by our players.”
“However, it was important that Fly wasn’t more effective than a Killer’s main mobility effect,” he continues. “Otherwise, we’d risk making an older Killer obsolete. During design, we had to carefully examine the values of traversal length, speed, and efficacy in chase.”
Complementing this tool for quickly gaining ground on a Survivor, Vecna can use his projectile Flight of the Damned spell to zone them into a favourable location. “Flight of the Damned, which is a special ability unique to Vecna in D&D, allows him to cast undead spectral projectiles that propel forward, creating a bullet-hell effect,” explains Neveu. “Try shooting it through walls to catch Survivors unawares.”
When Vecna catches up to a Survivor, he can use his Mage Hand spell to tip the scales in his favor. “Mage Hand allows you to tag a Pallet and block it if it’s already up,” explains Neveu. “If it’s been dropped, the Mage Hand will raise it instantly. It’s probably his most unique ability.”
It also rewards skillful gameplay for both sides. “Pallets are a valuable resource to Survivors, and we built intricacies to ensure counterplay. Using Mage Hand effectively might sound simple on paper, but there’s reactivity involved. You must pre-emptively charge your Power and predict a Survivor’s pathing, which creates a fun battle of wits.”
“His last spell is the Dispelling Sphere, which was inspired by two existing D&D spells named Detect Magic and Dispel Magic,” says Neveu. “Using this allows Vecna to cast a large area effect that traverses through the level, revealing any Survivor and dispelling any Magic Items they might have found.”
Speaking of Magic Items…
“One of the big appeals of RPGs is hunting for loot and improving your character,” says Neveu. “As such, it was imperative to incorporate that into Dead by Daylight. In the end, the team decided on making Magic Items spawn in Treasure Chests whenever facing Vecna, giving Survivors tools to withstand his magical onslaught. If they’re lucky, they may even unearth Vecna’s cherished possessions: the Hand and Eye of Vecna.”
“If a Survivor gets the Eye, when they do a fast Exit from a Locker, they’ll become unseen and unheard for a duration. If they have the Hand, when they fast jump into a Locker, they teleport to another random Locker. These can be tricky to use, and while they’re beneficial to the Survivor, they will take damage when using the effect.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be Dungeons & Dragons without one crucial element. “We absolutely needed a dice roll!” laughs Neveu. It manifested in determining the rarity of loot Survivors will find during the Trial – but as anyone knows, sometimes the rolls simply aren’t in your favor.
“Even the best fighter with the best magic sword can miss an attack from time to time,” he continues. “We really wanted to capture that aspect, but not base the whole experience around it. The dice roll might randomize the experience, but it doesn’t affect the result.”
For fans of Dungeons & Dragons, this latest Chapter looks to be one of Dead by Daylight’s most ambitious to date and no doubt the perfect entry point for many to the long-running horror multiplayer.
Revealed as part of Dead by Daylight’s 8th Anniversary celebrations, Dead by Daylight: Dungeons & Dragons will be released on PlayStation on June 3.
Hello, Wanderers, or should I say, Authorizers? Welcome back! I’m SKY, the lead designer at Hotta Studio of Perfect World Games, and I’m bursting with excitement to share some thrilling news with you. Tower of Fantasy version 4.0, Gesthos Sector, is on the horizon, slated for release on May 28.
In this upcoming update, we’re introducing an entirely new breathtaking urban-style open world, all infused with futuristic charm and technological wonders. Version 4.0 also brings with it a diverse cast of new companions, each with their own captivating stories and unique abilities.
We have also prepared a series of events. After the version is released, participating in events, you can get up to 188 draws, 1000 Dark Crystals. We look forward to your participation!
Gesthos Sector
After experiencing the adventures of the Domain 9, I believe you are already familiar with Gesthos—the supercomputer nestled within the headquarters of Hykros. Its recent descent into a state of shutdown due to a virus invasion, potentially causing a severe Omnium crisis. To find the virus that threatens the system, you will become an Authorizer, uploading your consciousness into a virtual world calculated by it—the Gesthos Network World.
Picture this: a realm meticulously crafted by Gesthos, mirroring the pre-Cataclysmic era of Aida in all its glory. Here, Omnium technology reigns supreme, orchestrating a thriving technological revolution amidst unparalleled prosperity.
A friendly tip: after the version 4.0 is released, newcomers won’t need to complete the previous chapters, you’re granted direct passage to the latest marvel—the Gesthos Sector!
And your first stop upon arrival is Aesperia.
Behold towering edifices adorned with shimmering holographic billboards, while a symphony of aircraft dances across the azure skies. Embark on an urban trip along gravity rails, bask in tranquil vacations along the sun-kissed shores of Astra…enjoy the seamless fusion of technological marvels and natural splendor. And for those with an appetite for discovery, you can also delve deeper into this world through puzzle-solving gameplay and exploration tasks.
An officer and a phantom thief
In your quest to resolve the viral threat, you’ll find yourself entangled in the complex power struggles of Aesperia’s factions. But fear not, as new friends stand ready to aid you in your endeavors.
Meet Roslyn, a fresh recruit of the Federation Police. With a blend of dedication and charm, she tirelessly pursues justice while lending a helping hand to those in need. Recently, it seems she has been demoted to a junior officer due to a failed mission.
While designing the character, our focus lies in capturing her serene yet contemplative aura. Picture her engrossed in thought, idly toying with handcuffs—a subtle allure that is sure to captivate hearts effortlessly. Her love for kitty is unmistakable, a trait reflected in her design. Roslyn wields “Calm Waters”, a weapon crafted from her grandfather’s ship anchor. With a frost/volt attribute, it’s a testament to her maritime heritage.
Embracing the ship anchor’s distinctive characteristics, we’ve infused the combat dynamics with interactive intricacies. Designed for mid-range engagements, Calm Waters prioritizes agility and versatility on the battlefield. Therefore, we’ve experimented with allowing Roslyn to throw the ship anchor to generate different striking angles, using acceleration to increase the damage.
In crafting her skills, we leverage the anchor chain, using its dual-ended design to unleash a flurry of attacks. The fluid interplay between the anchor’s bulk and the short blade results in a mesmerizing ballet of chaos —a spectacle of elegance amidst the combat.
And then there’s the enigmatic figure of Ace, the elusive thief who has been the focus of Roslyn’s relentless pursuit. Have you taken note of the baseball bat she wields? Ace named it “Poppin’ Stick”, a powerful attack weapon. Despite her status as a top-tier thief, Ace harbors a genuine desire to uphold fairness and justice through her actions, a paradox that adds depth to her character. In fact, she’s gone so far as to assemble a band of like-minded individuals, forming the renowned phantom thief organization known as “Wednesday”.
But here’s where things get truly interesting. Beyond the surface-level cat-and-mouse chase lies a deepe connection between Ace and Roslyn—a relationship shrouded in secrecy and ripe with untold history.
In addition, following the launch of version 4.0, the incredibly popular simulacrum, Lan, will join the free pick SSR weapon pool!
Upload adventure anew
Upon embarking into version 4.0, you’ll gain access to an exclusive Authorizer’s Terminal—an indispensable tool that not only facilitates seamless exploration of new territories but also enhances the precision of map data. Boasting a myriad of practical features, including SMS communication, an Uber-inspired transportation app, and music playback capabilities, this device is your key to unlocking a world of convenience.
But that’s not all. By seamlessly integrating the world setting with main quests, we’ve also designed a new open-world gameplay. From repairing port tower to tracking down escaped robots and crafting stone sculptures, interactive engagements are scattered across the map, offering Authorizers a wealth of enriching experiences.
However, in this era of technology, be prepared to confront a host of challenges posed by intelligent machines. From the vigilant Patrol Droid to the formidable Formation Point Sphere α: Test Type, each presents a unique threat, demanding careful strategy and skillful navigation from players.
We have also prepared various activities. By participating in sign-ins and version-exclusive events, you can get up to 188 draws, 1000 Dark Crystals. But that’s not all—prepare to be charmed by our latest addition: the free dandelion vehicle, Fluffy. Infused with natural allure, this whimsical mode of transportation promises to elevate your adventures with its enchanting presence.
And let’s not forget the debut of the first-ever dual-seater sports car. With its sleek design, fully automatic cruise, and driving functions, this marvel of engineering promises to redefine exploration in Aesperia. From its captivating aesthetics to its unparalleled performance, it’s poised to become the ultimate choice for discerning Authorizers.
Mark your calendars, as Tower of Fantasy version 4.0 is set to launch on May 28! With an array of exhilarating features awaiting your discovery, we eagerly anticipate embarking on this thrilling new journey together. See you in the latest version!
Hi everyone! It’s been just over a year since we released Burning Shores, the expansion to Horizon Forbidden West on PS5, and with it, we challenged you with one of our most elaborate boss battles to date! We talked to our developers at Guerrilla to find out about the ideation and creation process of this epic fight.
SPOILER WARNING: Please note that this behind-the-scenes feature contains major spoilers for the storyline and gameplay elements of Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores. To get the most out of this in-depth article, we strongly recommend completing the quest ‘His Final Act’ prior to reading.
A threat from the Old World
The Horus can be seen throughout our journey with Aloy, both in Horizon Zero Dawn as well as Horizon Forbidden West, albeit at first in a dormant state – and the continuation of Aloy’s story in Burning Shores felt like the perfect moment to bring it to life, says Misja Baas, Senior Art Director at Guerrilla.
In the ideation stage, it was clear that the design of the Horus needed to serve two purposes: First of all, to tell the story of the end of the world in the universe of the Horizon franchise.
“For something that monumental, you need something that fits, something epic to go with that theme,” says Baas. “Imagine these giant machines crawling through the landscape, drilling holes in bunkers and wiping entire cities off the face of the earth. They also served as mobile factories producing Corruptors and Deathbringers to do the groundwork. Together they would form the swarms that ended up destroying the world as we know it. Secondly, we also wanted something that would look impressive and amazing in the landscape. For the final design, we settled on these colossal, almost insectoid machines. It allowed us to really drape the machine on the landscape and make it look very dynamic, as if you’re seeing the last moments of life on earth.”
Leaving the Forbidden West, Los Angeles was the next obvious destination with the Hollywood sign as the perfect stage for an epic machine confrontation with this titan.
Force of nature
When Arne Oehme, Principal Game Designer was tasked to design the penultimate battle that Aloy and Seyka are challenged with in their efforts to put an end to Londra’s devious plans, he knew he had an important task at hand.
“We had to complete the story arc of Horizon Forbidden West, as it was the final quest of the expansion and as such, we had to deliver a level that was worthy of being its grand finale,” says Oehme. “As we are fighting a machine that was responsible for the destruction of civilization, it felt like it shouldn’t be easy to take down with just your bow and arrows. We wanted to challenge all of Aloy’s abilities in this conclusive fight: her ability to sneak in unseen and stay hidden, her agility and ability to climb and swim, and also to collaborate with her friends.”
Oehme points out that the quest is built up in several sections. “The goal of the first section of the level was mostly to establish the Horus as an overwhelming force of nature, but we also wanted to pace ourselves and give us the potential to escalate the intensity throughout the fight,” he says. “Starting with a stealth section felt right to set the tone: The Horus is high up on the hill, it sits in an imposing position looming over you as you approach the area and this section gave us the potential to deliver the narrative and allow the characters to formulate a plan of attack.”
During this section you sneak past the Horus’ giant tentacles, which are being used as search lights, while you are surrounded by Corrupters that Londra created using the active Horus. As you sneak past these machines (or choose to take them out head on) you make your way up to sabotage the pump used to cool down the Horus together with your companion, Seyka.
“This section was also a perfect moment for us to help build Aloy and Seyka’s relationship,” Oehme points out, “Before things get hectic!”
Up close and far away
Getting closer, you transition from the hilly mountains to the beach with a cinematic that seamlessly flows over into gameplay.
“In order to create structure in the fight and to give it good pacing and rhythm, we tried to separate the player and the Horus throughout the encounter,” says Baas. “If we were only going to fight the Horus up close, it felt like we were ‘clipping its toenails’ so to speak. You would constantly be really close and you wouldn’t see a lot of it and we wanted to make sure that players get a chance to see the machine and observe its abilities. We also wanted players to witness its ability to move around and notice the destruction it causes to the landscape in its path. It was really important to us to give the Horus this moment of presentation to give players a demonstration of its power.
“To make this part of the fight feel more spectacular and dramatic we had to do completely the opposite of what we always do,” Baas recalls, referring to the lush and vibrant nature that the Horizon franchise is known for. “Our environments and settings are usually places you really want to go to and spend time in. But here, because we’re dealing with this final moment and we are showing what could be described as a flashback of the end of the world, we decided to do a 180 and go for gray and dark. A very different mood compared to what we usually aim for in Horizon.
“During the anniversary of Burning Shores last month, many players in the Horizon community pointed out that this moment was one of their highlights when playing the expansion. Senior Creature Animator David Vince was responsible for establishing the look and feel of the movement of the Horus making its way to the beach.
“When we had to figure out the movement theme for the Horus, we wanted it to feel like we were bringing it back from the dead,” says Vince. “This machine has been there for a thousand years, and now it’s being reanimated and controlled by something that’s not itself, so it’s basically a zombie! That became our theme for the Horus and you see this in this transition as it crawls its way down the beach: It’s not powering through, it’s struggling to get there as it’s clawing with its tentacles and pulling itself along. It really is lurching and lumbering forward in an uncoordinated manner, like a shambling zombie would. So that was our goal, to make sure it looked like it wasn’t a fully sentient titan, but one that had been hijacked and doing somebody else’s bidding.”
You follow the Horus down to the beach, traversing the cliffs and ruins of Los Angeles along the way. Oehme further explains how this was a very deliberate choice when designing the quest: “The idea behind moving to different locations in that fight comes from the fact that a quest almost always wants to be a journey.”
As both Oehme and Baas mentioned earlier, it was important to show the player how much impact this machine had on its environment.
“It didn’t feel good if we were tied to only one location in the world, we felt like it needed to move around to actually show you this destruction,” says Oehme. “The beach also gave us a reasonably flat space for the continuation of the combat encounter, with enough room for the Horus to stomp and splash around in the water.”
Baas points out that working on an expansion to the main game meant that we could focus all our efforts on a single encounter and make it as awesome and epic as possible. For this all to come together, Oehme worked with multiple disciplines across development.
“This was very different content from what we were used to building, so it required a new approach,” says Oehme. “We worked together with an awesome team of specialist developers from Game Tech, Art, VFX, Animation and Sound Design to tackle the unique challenges that surfaced during development of this quest.”
One of these challenges was climbing the moving legs of the Horus to expose and destroy its heat sinks. “We wanted Seyka to distract the main armaments of the Horus to give Aloy windows of opportunity to dart in and strike, says Oehme. “As a player, being below the Horus already gives you the desire to climb it, so we wanted to make sure you could actually do that. But of course, something of that scale, and moving around and shooting you, that’s something that’s quite different from anything we had done before – but we felt like we had to do it.”
Senior Technical Designer Marcin Matuszczyk remembers tackling this specific challenge. “We already had support for climbing objects and machines like the Tallneck, but we had to improve quite a lot to make it look better for the scale and size of the Horus,” he says. “We had to create some new tech to make sure that Aloy’s hands and feet look nice against the machines’ climbing points that were placed on the leg. The Horus turned out to be the most complex machine we ever made in terms of design, scale, and collaboration between teams.”
Vince expands on animating the behemoth boss. “For animation, some of the complexities that came with the Horus weren’t necessarily the model itself, but more the joint-count that was in it,” he says. “All of our machines have orientation or articulation joints that enable us to animate them. For comparison, the Slitherfang used to be our highest joint-count machine capped at around 240 joints. The Horus has over a thousand more joints than that! The Horus has its legs and tentacles, and having it turn around takes a very long time to do. It takes about 50 seconds to do a full rotation with around 1400 frames of animation, which is one animation of the 200 animations that it has.”
“The Horus is massive! It takes up so much of your screen,” adds Vince. “Throughout the beach encounter, Seyka is up there flying around dodging tentacles and missile fire. The player isn’t always looking because it’s contending with the Horus itself. Quite a lot of Seyka’s actions that are tied to what the Horus is doing often go unnoticed. One of the biggest animations we had is when Seyka causes the Horus to trip. She flies under the titan, causing the tentacles to crash into its legs and it becomes entangled – which is incredibly hard to animate. Most players might have missed it as they are busy dodging attacks, but Seyka will help Aloy in every section of the fight, even if you don’t see it.”
Oehme points out that some of the fights most memorable moments are too good to risk spoiling here, and invites players to dive in.
“There’s actually another part to this fight that we haven’t even touched on yet,” he says. “But for those who haven’t played yet, it might be better to experience it for yourself!”
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition is available onPS5 andPC.
