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

Hi gamers, I’m Yonghe Wang, the Creative Director at Pollard Studios. I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with you today. Alongside our publisher, Wired Productions, we’re proud to announce that Karma: The Dark World is set to release on PlayStation 5 come March 27. Even better, the game will be optimized for PS5 Pro features.

As part of our celebration, we want to give you a closer look at how our team is pushing the limits of the PS5 Pro’s capabilities to elevate the game’s visuals and performance. Plus, we’re releasing the second in a series of three trailers, showcasing some of the bizarre environments and characters you’ll encounter, hinting at their connection to you, the player. Hope you enjoy it!

What Is Karma: The Dark World?

Karma: The Dark World is a first-person cinematic psychological thriller that transports players into a cassette-fueled alternate timeline after World War II. In this universe, a company named Leviathan has unearthed mind-blowing technology that allowed it to seize control of Eastern Germany. Under their rule, the regime enforces strict productivity and obedience while suppressing its citizens.

Leviathan employs a variety of tools to maintain order, including mass surveillance, mind-altering substances, and a clandestine group known as the Nightcrawlers. These ROAM Agents have sweeping powers to investigate crimes, detain citizens for questioning, and perform what’s known as Mind Dives. This advanced technique lets them tap into an individual’s memories, reliving and interacting with past events as they search for truth. As they navigate the murky waters of personal traumas and distorted emotions, they uncover characters’ darkest experiences.

You’ll step into the shoes of Daniel McGovern, a ROAM agent sent to look into a theft at one of Leviathan’s scientific institutes. What starts as routine work soon spirals into a deeper examination of love, empathy, and ethical dilemmas.

Creating the Dark World

Creating this game is an artistic conversation with the human spirit. It goes beyond books or films to tap into genuine experiences and feelings. Our aim is to weave philosophical reflections directly into the gameplay, tying together events, character relationships, and more to build a compelling world.

With Karma, our goal was to transcend traditional storytelling, crafting an experience that not only entertains but also provokes contemplation. We created a narrative that acts as a mirror, urging players to discover their own truths within the game.

Our visual style embraces stark lighting contrasts and bold colors to fully immerse players in a world where realism meets surrealism. Our inspirations include the likes of Remedy’s Alan Wake and Control, along with the visionary works of the late David Lynch (think Twin Peaks and Eraserhead). His storytelling greatly influenced our development approach, and we honor his artistry by incorporating homage elements for players to appreciate.

The Power of PS5 Pro

When developing the game, we had the opportunity to work with the PS5 Pro kit, which significantly enhanced Karma’s visuals and performance. Let’s delve into what PS5 Pro players can anticipate and share some exclusive environmental footage captured on a PS5 Pro system.

PSSR Integration

Our game leverages PlayStation’s Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) technology to deliver:

• Outstanding image quality with advanced reconstruction techniques
• Sharper edges and improved texture clarity
• Minimal performance impact while maintaining visuals
• Detailed motion preservation

Performance Metrics

We’ve finely tuned the game to achieve:

• True 4K resolution at 3840×2160
• Steady 60 FPS
• Smooth gameplay with consistent frame pacing
• Better texture streaming through enhanced PS5 Pro memory bandwidth

Visual Enhancements

The PS5 Pro version offers:

• Superior texture filtering
• Enhanced volumetric effects
• Improved rendering at a distance
• Increased temporal stability

Technical Infrastructure

We fully exploit PS5 Pro’s advanced hardware with:

• Optimized memory use
• Faster shader processing
• Better asset streaming
• High-end post-processing effects

It’s our hope that this behind-the-scenes peek into the making of Karma’s visuals enriches your experience. Whether you’re playing on a standard PlayStation 5 or a PS5 Pro, we promise a story that will linger in your mind.

Karma: The Dark World hits PlayStation 5 on March 27. Prepare to walk in the shoes of a ROAM agent—and remember, the mind can be a treacherous place.