The Dark World Launching on PS5 March 27 – PlayStation.Blog

Hey everyone, I’m Yonghe Wang from Pollard Studios. I’m thrilled to share some exciting news on behalf of my team and our publisher, Wired Productions. Mark your calendars because Karma: The Dark World is coming to the PlayStation 5 on March 27. And yes, it will include enhancements for the PS5 Pro.

To mark this exciting announcement, we’d like to dive into how our team is utilizing the PS5 Pro’s capabilities to boost the game’s visuals and performance. Plus, we’ve got the second in a trilogy of trailers for you. It gives a sneak peek at the surreal environments and intriguing characters within the game, hinting at their connection to you—the player. Enjoy!

### What’s Karma: The Dark World all about?

Karma: The Dark World is a first-person cinematic psychological thriller, set in an alternate timeline reminiscent of a cassette-driven future after World War II. In our universe, a company named Leviathan wields groundbreaking technology, allowing them to dominate Eastern Germany with an oppressive regime that values productivity and obedience above all else.

They maintain control through numerous methods, including mass surveillance, mind-altering substances, and a covert group called the Nightcrawlers. These special ROAM Agents are authorized to investigate crime scenes, arrest citizens for questioning, and conduct Mind Dives. This unique technology lets them delve into their subjects’ memories, experiencing and interacting with events to unearth truths buried in traumas and emotions.

You step into the shoes of Daniel McGovern, a ROAM agent investigating a theft at one of Leviathan’s scientific facilities. What seems like a routine job spirals into a gripping exploration of love, empathy, and the grey areas of morality.

### Building the Dark World

For me, creation is a deep conversation with the human spirit, transcending books and films to touch on real-life emotions and experiences. Our focus is on weaving philosophical elements into game design, which the title itself reflects. Every moment, character relationship, and event are tightly interwoven, crafting a world that intricately spirals into being.

With Karma, we aim to go beyond traditional storytelling, crafting an experience that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking. It’s not merely a virtual journey; it’s a mirror to reality, challenging players to seek their own answers.

Our development team uses dramatic lighting and vivid colors, creating an atmosphere that blends realism with surrealism. We’ve drawn inspiration from games by Remedy, like Alan Wake and Control, and the abstract storytelling style of David Lynch. His works, such as Twin Peaks and Eraserhead, significantly influenced our development process, motivating us to learn from and pay tribute to his artistic vision. Our goal is to create a uniquely haunting experience that lingers well after you’ve put down the controller, challenging the line between reality and illusion.

Within our game, we tip our hats to the brilliance of Lynch, hoping players will truly appreciate this journey.

### Unleashing the PS5 Pro’s Potential

In our development process, we got the chance to harness the power of the PS5 Pro. This allowed us to truly enhance the game’s visuals and performance. Let me share some of the exciting features PS5 Pro players can look forward to, along with exclusive footage captured directly from a PS5 Pro.

### Integrating PSSR

Our game maximizes use of PlayStation’s Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) technology, delivering:

– Exceptional image quality with advanced reconstruction techniques
– Enhanced edge definition and texture clarity
– Minimal performance impact while maintaining visual quality
– Improved detail retention during movement

### Performance Highlights

Through meticulous optimization, we’ve achieved:

– Native 4K resolution (3840×2160)
– Consistent 60 FPS for a seamless experience
– Steady frame pacing ensuring smooth gameplay
– Enhanced texture streaming utilizing the PS5 Pro’s increased memory bandwidth

### Visual Upgrades

The PS5 Pro version showcases:

– Superior texture filtering
– Enhanced volumetric effects
– Better distance rendering
– Improved temporal stability

### Technical Breakdown

Our implementation takes full advantage of the PS5 Pro’s hardware features:

– Optimized memory usage
– Enhanced shader processing
– Improved asset streaming
– Advanced post-processing effects

I hope taking a peek behind the scenes at the visual design process of Karma has been enjoyable. Whether you’re playing on the PS5 or PS5 Pro, we promise that this story will stay with you long after you finish.

Karma: The Dark World arrives on the PlayStation 5 on March 27. Prepare to step into the world of a ROAM agent—but always remember, exploring the mind can be a risky venture.