We put a lot of ‘new’ in Final Fantasy X. It was the first game in the Final Fantasy series to be built in full 3D, we introduced new types of presentation, a new battle system… it even came out on new hardware. It also spawned the first direct sequel in the series’ history – Final Fantasy X-2.

This game was similarly fresh, and had a very different style, tone, and structure to the rest of the series.

I worked as producer on Final Fantasy X and its sequel. With both available on PlayStation Now in Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD Remaster, I thought I’d share some memories of working on these very special games.

Final Fantasy X

Final Fantasy X was the first game in the series to be developed for the PS2. There are always challenges and decisions to be made when working with new hardware, and that was certainly the case for Final Fantasy X.

The PlayStation 2 effect

One key decision we faced was around the visuals. Even though the PS2 offered a big increase in power from the original PlayStation, there was still a limit to the hardware specs, so to depict the new graphical style, we had to choose whether to prioritize resolution or the number of colors.

Initially, we thought it would be beneficial to use more colors – we thought that would help us really depict the world of Spira in a vibrant way. However, when we looked at the trends in other companies’ games released while we were working on development, it became increasingly clear that fans were hoping for higher resolution next-gen games.

As a result, we switched from focusing on the number of colors to making the game as high resolution as possible – and we did this about six months before the master deadline!

This meant we had to make major modifications to the game we’d made so far, which was a big risk in terms of the schedule. Fortunately, our excellent programmers and designers did a wonderful job.

In the end, a ‘high-res’ Final Fantasy X was born, and we were able to achieve the sort of high-end visuals you’d expect from a next- gen console.

An in-Spira-ing world

The new visual style added other challenges too. For example, Final Fantasy X was the first game in the series to not include a world map – this is because the game was built in full 3D, and that’s expensive!

As game creators, we sometimes have to make decisions that balance game design with ballooning production costs. In this case, dropping the overworld map was the most realistic solution we had available.

Our prior games, Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII had been set in steampunk and science fiction-inspired worlds respectively, so we wanted to do something different.

This might be also the reason why Art Director Yusuke Naora came up with the concept of having a world with an Asian feel to it, and that became the inspiration for Spira.

New battle plans

That wasn’t the only break from tradition introduced in Final Fantasy X either – we also reinvented the combat system.

The previous few games had used the Active Time Battle (ATB) system

With only a few more weeks to go until Horizon Forbidden West (launching February 18, 2022), we’re thrilled to reveal that we’ll soon be journeying back out into the wilds in a brand-new adventure, with Horizon Call of the Mountain.

Created for PlayStation VR2, this unique experience has been designed to push hardware technology, innovation, and gameplay. The stunning visuals and brand-new PS VR2 Sense controllers give a new meaning to being fully immersed into the world of Horizon.

We don’t want to reveal too much just yet, but this story will be told through the eyes of an entirely new character. You will also meet Aloy, other familiar faces, and new characters along the way, and we’ll be introducing you to the protagonist of Horizon Call of the Mountain soon.

We’re looking forward to welcoming VR fans into our wonderful Horizon community, and giving you all an unforgettable experience. Horizon Call of the Mountain has been proudly developed with the team at Firesprite, and we’ll soon be revealing more about what you can expect from the game. Until then, check out the teaser trailer!

Happy New Year everyone.

It is my great pleasure to start off 2022 with news on our next generation virtual reality system for the PS5 console, starting with the official name: PlayStation VR2, and our new VR controller, PlayStation VR2 Sense controller.

PlayStation VR2 takes VR gaming to a whole new level, enabling a greater sense of presence and allowing players to escape into game worlds like never before. With the headset on and controllers in hand, players will feel a heightened range of sensations unlike any other – thanks to the creativity of the game worlds being built by our world class developers, and the latest technology incorporated into the hardware.

Building upon our innovations from PS5, PlayStation VR2 adds a true next-gen experience with high-fidelity visuals, new sensory features, and enhanced tracking – along with a simplified single-cord setup. 

• Visual Fidelity: For a high-fidelity visual experience, PS VR2 offers 4K HDR, 110-degree field of view, and foveated rendering. With an OLED display, players can expect a display resolution of 2000×2040 per eye and smooth frame rates of 90/120Hz.
• Headset-based Controller Tracking: With inside-out tracking, PS VR2 tracks you and your controller through integrated cameras embedded in the VR headset. Your movements and the direction you look at are reflected in-game without the need for an external camera.
• New Sensory Features: PS VR2 Sense Technology combines eye tracking, headset feedback, 3D Audio, and the innovative PS VR2 Sense controller to create an incredibly deep feeling of immersion. Headset feedback is a new sensory feature that amplifies the sensations of in-game actions from the player. It’s created by a single built-in motor with vibrations that add an intelligent tactile element, bringing players closer to the gameplay experience. For example, gamers can feel a character’s elevated pulse during tense moments, the rush of objects passing close to the character’s head, or the thrust of a vehicle as the character speeds forward. Additionally, PS5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech makes sounds in the player’s surroundings come alive, adding to this new level of immersion.
• Eye Tracking: With eye tracking, PS VR2 detects the motion of your eyes, so a simple look in a specific direction can create an additional input for the game character. This allows players to interact more intuitively in new and lifelike ways, allowing for a heightened emotional response and enhanced expression that provide a new level of realism in gaming. 

All of these advancements in PlayStation VR2, combined with the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers from the PS VR2 Sense controllers, enable players to feel and interact with games in a much more visceral way. PS VR2 will also have a simple setup process — with a single cable connected directly to PS5, you can immediately jump into the VR experience.

Today we are also pleased to reveal that one of the biggest exclusive franchises on PlayStation will be coming to PS VR2 – Horizon Call of the Mountain from Guerrilla and Firesprite. This original game is being built specifically for PS VR2 and will open the doors for players to go deeper into the world of Horizon.

I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s exciting updates. Just remember, this is only a taste of things to come, and I can’t wait to share more details with you about PS VR2. In the meantime, below is the list of official specifications.

PlayStation VR2 Specifications

Display method​

Read more PlayStation Now games for January 2022: Mortal Kombat 11, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age, Fury Unleashed Game Ace Pro / Monday, January 3, 2022 0 0 PlayStation Now is kicking off the new year with six distinct games, all playable starting tomorrow, January 4. Let’s get straight in with a closer look at each title. Play Video Mortal Kombat 11 Enter a new era of kombat with the 11th installment of the iconic fighting franchise – and reveal the consequences of Raiden’s actions dating back to the dawn of the bone-crunching series. Witness the manipulation of time itself as new characters enter the fray with the power to twist the flow of the battle, buy themselves precious seconds, and get the upper hand. Battle-hardened warriors encounter their former selves, Time Quakes shake up matches, and everything you thought you knew about Mortal Kombat will be challenged as the all-powerful force behind the brutal tournament reveals herself.    Read more Shuhei Yoshida’s favorite PlayStation indie games of 2021 Game Ace Pro / Thursday, December 30, 2021 0 0 Hello everyone, how was your 2021? For me, 2021 has given me opportunities to play more games than in previous years, as having access to PlayStation 5 has not only removed most of the wait time to get into the games I want to play, but also their loading times thanks to the console’s blazingly fast SSD.  Throughout the year, we have seen lots of amazing, charming, beautiful and totally engaging indie games on PS4, PS VR and PS5. Here are 12 of my personal favourites.  Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights This beautiful yet oppressive Japanese explorative platformer has an interesting approach to combat: discover downed knights and cleanse their souls to have them fight for you, while defeating certain enemies allows you to adopt their abilities for your own use.  Play Video Chicory: A Colorful Tale At first glance Chicory may seem like an interactive coloring book, yet at its heart lies an engaging adventure. The story’s themes – self-doubt, redemption – are universally relatable.  Play Video Persona 5 Strikers | PS4 Jump into the stylish world of Persona in an all-new story featuring the Phantom Thieves as they embark on an epic road trip across Japan. A summer vacation with close friends takes a sudden turn as a distorted reality emerges, thrusting you in an epic tale as you strike back against the corruption overtaking cities. Dynamically control your team during explosive action combat as you reveal the truth and redeem the hearts of those imprisoned at the centre of the crisis.