With PS VR2 launching today (check out our review of Sony’s next-generation VR headset here and look forward to individual PS VR2 game reviews shortly), we wanted to shine a spotlight on one of the most anticipated games of the whole launch window: The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, in development at Supermassive Games.
The action horror shooter aims to include a medley of the locations seen in previous The Dark Pictures games while taking advantage of PlayStation VR2’s unique features, such as built-in eye tracking. To learn more about The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, which is launching on March 16th as a PS VR2 exclusive priced at $39.99, we interviewed Alejandro Arque Gallardo, Game Director at Supermassive.
Why did you return to the rail shooter genre explored with Until Dawn: Rush of Blood for your first PS VR2 title?
After the success of Rush of Blood, which was a launch title with the original PlayStation VR back in 2016, we were thrilled to learn of the upcoming hardware and its innovative capabilities. Naturally we were really excited to think about what we could do in a VR horror game with this new technology – eye tracking, haptic feedback, adaptive triggers would really allow us to create a terrifying spiritual successor to Rush of Blood for the new generation of PSVR.
How does The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR fit in the overall TDP anthology?
Switchback VR sits within The Dark Pictures universe but is separate from the Anthology itself. However, each of the levels in the game is based on the titles in the Anthology, so you can come face to face with the most terrifying antagonists from Season One of the Dark Pictures Anthology up-close-and-personal!
The official game description mentions that ‘no two runs will be the same’. Is that a hint at a degree of procedural generation?
We wanted to make the experience unique to the player, so we added branching tracks where players can choose which direction they want to go. Each of those tracks is very different in terms of the experience you receive. For instance, one path might lead to where some creepy dolls jump out and attack you or choose a different path and come face to face with some gruesome mannequins, but only when you blink! What you see depends on the route you take and with Eye Tracking, where you look makes each playthrough different if you play it several times. All these choices make for an epic battle at the end of the game, where you’ll be forced to face your biggest fears.
How long will each run last?
It takes around 20-30 minutes per level to experience one path. On each level, there are multiple branching paths, so you’ll have to replay over again to see all the terrifying horror we have in store for you!
Are there multiple endings?
The ending will differ based on your choices throughout the game. If you save the passengers from your fateful train crash, then you’ll be dealt a better hand to aid in your survival right at the end against the demon boss – Belial.
Did the infamous Weeping Angels from Doctor Who inspire you when it comes to the don’t blink mechanics?
When we looked at implementing the innovative PlayStation VR2 features, we knew that as a horror game we could make great use of the eye tracking functionality and induce real fear from that mechanic. We took inspiration from a lot of movies, series, and even real-world experiences. In Switchback VR, your enemies are certainly on you in the blink of an eye! This ranges from the masked mannequins posing like they are running at you or the manifestations from the 17th century witch trials trying to attack you. The eye tracking feature follows exactly where you look, so some enemies may attack when you look at them, and some if you don’t look at them. Others may multiply when you blink and if you think closing your eyes will help, think again! 3D Audio will also have them whispering in your ear, and headset rumble will mean you’ll feel their every touch.
Could The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR be released for PC as well later on?
We’re very excited to launch on PlayStation VR2, this is an exclusive title to the new hardware and for now, the team is focusing on bringing the ultimate experience to PS VR2.
What is your favorite PS VR2 feature?
I think it must be Eye Tracking and 3D Audio – when you are in our game, this feature really brings about the scares, maybe we should set up a competition to see who can keep their eyes open the longest before the monsters descend on you! Additionally, having them whisper in your ear, telling you to look at them (don’t look at them!) is great fun and we are really looking forward to people experiencing that.
As a VR developer, what are your hopes for PS VR2? Can it surpass the success and popularity of the first iteration?
We are really proud to have developed Rush of Blood and to see the impact it had on the original PlayStation VR and how people reacted to it. Switchback VR carries on from that experience and lets the player fight some of the nastiest creations from season one of The Dark Pictures Anthology.
The game delivers an immersive, terrifying horror experience and utilises the fantastic new features that are present in the PSVR2. For those who know the series, this allows players to put themselves front and centre into scenes and monsters from a franchise they know and love, for people new to The Dark Pictures, Switchback VR will deliver a faced paced action horror shooter like no other! We can’t wait for players to try Switchback on PS VR2 for the first time… it’s going to be one hell of a ride!
Did you ever think about making one of your mainline The Dark Pictures games fully compatible with VR?
As we are at the end of season one of The Dark Pictures Anthology, Switchback VR provided us with the opportunity to allow players to experience locations and antagonists from our previous 4 games: Man of Medan, Little Hope, House of Ashes, and The Devil in Me. The game takes players on a multi-sensory ride through ghost-ships, witch hunts, vampire nests, and the lair of a sadistic serial killer. We think this is the perfect way to experience a VR horror game and using all the games from season one allows for a huge variety of gameplay, monsters, and locations and introduces people new to the series with the rich and diverse stories from the original games.
Do you plan to use Unreal Engine 5 in your future games? If so, do you believe UE5 features like Lumen and Nanite could be applied to VR, too?
We are still very focused on finishing The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, however, we would like to experiment with Unreal Engine 5 for sure and try using all its capabilities.
Thank you for your time.
