- The features of PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro Directive 8020 have been revealed
- PS5 edition uses PSSR for “sharper visuals” and improved ray tracing
- Supermassive Games says the title was also designed with the DualSense controller in mind
Supermassive Games has revealed the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro features of its next major entry in its Dark Images Anthology, Directive 8020.
The interactive survival horror title launches in May, and ahead of its release, the developer outlined technology that will “deepen the tension, clarity and emotional impact at the heart of the game” on PlayStation.
According to Will Burdon, technical director of the Supermassive studio, PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) is the most significant improvement for the PS5 Pro version by offering “sharper images.”
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“PSSR intelligently enhances image detail and clarity frame by frame, allowing environments, character models, and subtle ambient storytelling to appear crisp and well-defined,” Burdon wrote in a new PlayStation Blog post.
“The metallic hallways of Cassiopeia, the frost forming in a frozen medical laboratory, the distortion on a reflective visor – all these details benefit from the added sharpness.”
The improvements on PS5 Pro also feature advanced ray tracing, meaning lighting will behave more realistically in dark hallways and corners, increasing the horror of Directive 8020.
Dynamic shadows also “add depth and movement to scenes, making environments appear less static and more unpredictable,” while enhancing the game's tense atmosphere.
“The added richness in the rendering of shadows enhances the atmosphere in subtle but powerful ways, reinforcing the unease that runs through the entire experience,” Burdon said.
An upgraded version of PS5 Pro also means an improved frame rate for “smooth and consistent performance” that will ensure players make those split-second decisions that permanently shape the story over time, as well as fluid camera movements and cinematic transitions.
Supermassive also said that the game was “designed with the PlayStation 5 in mind,” particularly the DualSense wireless controller, and wants interactions to feel “instinctive,” whether it's reaching for the flashlight button, scanning a room before entering a hatch, or grabbing the wedge tool at the last second.
Haptic feedback “puts fear in your hands during choices and while using tools,” and the controller's audio output will alert players to distant characters to communicate with via the game's messaging tool.
“Our goal was simple: make the controller your survival tool and completely immerse you in the world, to keep you on the edge of your seat,” Burdon said.
Directive 8020 launches on May 12 for PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC.
The game will also feature a couch co-op mode called Movie Night, allowing up to five players to play through the entire story together in local co-op, where each player takes control of a crew member.
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