Hey, everyone! I’m Yonghe Wang, the Creative Director over at Pollard Studios. I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you alongside our publisher, Wired Productions. Mark your calendars for March 27 because that’s when “Karma: The Dark World” will be making its debut on the PlayStation 5. Also, good news for PS5 Pro users—we’ve got enhancements tailored just for you!
In preparation for this launch, we wanted to give you a glimpse of how we’ve maximized the PS5 Pro’s capabilities to elevate the game’s visuals and performance. Plus, we’re dropping the second trailer of our trilogy, showing off some of the game’s surreal environments and intriguing characters. These elements hint at how they connect to you, the player. We hope you enjoy this sneak peek!
So, what is “Karma: The Dark World” all about? It’s a first-person, cinematic psychological thriller set in an alternate reality right after WWII. In this world, a corporation called Leviathan has gained control over Eastern Germany using some mind-boggling technology. They’ve set up a regime that thrives on control and productivity, keeping its citizens in check.
Leviathan employs various methods, from intense surveillance to mind-altering substances, and even a covert group known as the Nightcrawlers. These organizations include special ROAM Agents tasked with investigating crimes and conducting Mind Dives. This technology lets them dive into people’s memories, living through and interacting with their past experiences in search of hidden truths. It’s a reality where they confront unsettling pasts and emotional traumas.
You’ll step into the shoes of Daniel McGovern, a ROAM agent. Your mission? To investigate a theft at a Leviathan scientific institute. But, as you’ll soon discover, this case will lead you into a deeper exploration of love, humanity, empathy, and the tangled web of morality.
Creating this immersive Dark World is more than just game design for us—it’s a reflection of real human experiences and emotions. We’ve poured philosophical elements into every aspect, from character interactions to the events that shape their world. Through “Karma,” we aim to push beyond conventional storytelling and give you an experience that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking. It’s like holding up a mirror to reality, prompting you to seek your own truths within the game.
In developing this game, we’ve drawn inspiration from the stark contrasts and vibrant palettes seen in works by Remedy Entertainment (like Alan Wake and Control) and the surreal storytelling style of David Lynch’s works. We’ve tried to capture a unique blend of realism and surrealism, creating something hauntingly beautiful that stays with you long after you put the controller down. A big shout-out to the legendary David Lynch—we hope our work honors his influence and resonates with you.
Now, let’s talk about the power of the PS5 Pro. During development, we got the chance to harness the capabilities of the PS5 Pro kit to further enhance the world we created. You can expect some exclusive environmental shots captured straight from a PS5 Pro.
Our game fully utilizes the PlayStation’s Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) technology, bringing you superior image quality, sharp edge definition, and texture clarity, all while maintaining great performance.
As for performance metrics, we’ve optimized the game to hit native 4K resolution at a solid 60 FPS, ensuring smooth gameplay with consistent frame pacing. Our visual enhancements on the PS5 Pro include high-quality texture filtering, improved volumetric effects, better distance rendering, and superior temporal stability.
On the technical side, we’ve optimized memory utilization, enhanced shader processing, improved asset streaming, and integrated advanced post-processing effects. All of this combined takes full advantage of the PS5 Pro’s hardware capabilities.
Thanks for joining me for this behind-the-scenes look at the visual design of “Karma.” Whether you’re playing on a standard PS5 or the PS5 Pro, we promise a story that will stick with you. Get ready to step into the role of a ROAM agent because “Karma: The Dark World” lands on PlayStation 5 on March 27. Just remember, the mind is a treacherous place.
