PlayStation's Firesprite Studio Almost Made Breaking Bad VR Firesprite, a first-party PlayStation studio known for its work on VR titles like The Persistence and Horizon Call of the Mountain, has a history of ambitious projects that ultimately didn’t reach completion. Over the past few years, the studio has faced multiple setbacks, including layoffs in 2024 that led to the cancellation of several projects. Among these were a battle royale spinoff of Twisted Metal and another game that was scrapped around the same time. However, the studio’s canceled projects extend beyond these, with some previously unknown initiatives now coming to light. One of the most intriguing canceled projects was a Breaking Bad VR experience. According to reports, Firesprite was developing a VR title based on the popular TV series around 2017 and 2018. Unlike traditional games, this project was described as a narrative “experience” rather than a full-fledged game, similar to early PlayStation VR titles like Stranger Things: The VR Experience. The concept would have allowed players to explore iconic locations from the show, such as Walter White’s backyard and the New Mexico desert, immersing them in the world of the meth-cooking chemistry teacher. This project was not the first time Breaking Bad and Sony had explored a VR collaboration. In 2017, Variety reported that series creator Vince Gilligan was working with Sony Interactive Entertainment on a VR title, though the specific studio behind the project remained unclear until now. Despite the initial excitement, the Breaking Bad VR project was reportedly canceled just a year after the 2017 report. Firesprite’s canceled projects also include a sci-fi horror title that was in development between 2018 and 2020.#breaking_bad #unreal_engine_5 #firesprite_studio #sony_interactive_entertainment #until_dawn
Crimson Desert on PS5 Pro: A Stunning Open-World Experience Developer Pearl Abyss has made a bold statement with Crimson Desert, showcasing a unique approach to open-world design through its proprietary BlackSpace Engine. Unlike many games relying on Unreal Engine 5, the studio has crafted a system that emphasizes near-field detail and vast scale, creating an environment that feels both immersive and visually striking. The game’s ability to deliver such a distinctive experience has drawn attention, particularly with its performance on the PlayStation 5 Pro. While much of the game’s footage has been showcased on PC, Pearl Abyss has taken a confident step by providing a near-final version of Crimson Desert to PS5 Pro owners. The results are impressive, with ray tracing enabled across all three graphics modes. This ensures consistent lighting quality, though the denoiser occasionally struggles with streaking in high-contrast areas. Still, these issues are far less severe than the visual artifacts seen in recent titles like Resident Evil Requiem. The game also leverages displacement mapping at an unprecedented scale, adding depth to textures and making every surface—be it stone or brick—appear meticulously detailed. Pearl Abyss has outlined three graphics modes for PS5 Pro: optimal (performance), balanced, and quality. Each targets different frame rates and resolutions. The optimal mode prioritizes 60fps, while balanced and quality modes aim for 40fps and 30fps respectively. Base resolutions are set at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K, with upscaling used to enhance visual fidelity. This approach addresses the common issue of low base resolutions in current-gen consoles, though some minor artifacts may persist until the upgraded PSSR (PlayStation Super Sampling Renderer) is fully implemented.#playstation_5_pro #crimson_desert #pearl_abyss #blackspace_engine #unreal_engine_5
