Sony surprise announced the PlayStation VR2 headset at CES 2022 this afternoon, with the technology designed to improve upon its PS4 predecessor via features like eye tracking, 4K HDR video, and an approximately 110-degree field of view. This new headset will have OLED display screens with 2000 x 2040 panel resolution per eye according to Sony, and cameras will be integrated within the device so less peripheral accessories are needed. This has a lot of promise combined with PS5 features like the DualSense Controller's adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, and the manufacturer intends to show off that potential with Horizon Call of the Mountain.
Developed by Guerrilla Games and Firesprite, a new PlayStation Studio acquired in September 2021, Call of the Mountain is an independant story from the upcoming Horizon: Forbidden West. Guerrilla Games studio director Jan-Bart Van Beek said Forbidden West is "not the final frontier" for its post-apocalyptic universe, and Call of the Mountain has been built to showcase PSVR2 as Guerrilla applies finishing touches to its upcoming title. The brief teaser for this VR experience doesn't show much, but its very existance is continuing proof that the Horizon franchise is one of Sony's heavy hitters that should keep Guerrilla occupied for a long time to come.
Horizon Zero Dawn's Expansion and Crossovers
Horizon Zero Dawn was an acclaimed title upon release in 2017, setting Aloy on the path to become a key PlayStation icon alongside other PS4 protagonists like Kratos, Spider-Man, and Ellie. The Frozen Wilds DLC expansion released in November 2017, and afterward Horizon Zero Dawn would receive a "Complete Edition" package and be one of the first PlayStation 4 exclusives ported to PC. Games like God of War (2018) and Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection are set to follow this year.
However, Aloy's presence has extended far beyond the confides of her own universe. A collaboration between Monster Hunter World: Iceborne's PlayStation port and Horizon Zero Dawn debuted in December 2019. Aloy appeared in the battle royale Fortnite last year, joining its myriad of other crossovers from video games, movies, and comic books. Then last September she also joined the cast of Genshin Impact, a Chinese gacha game that exploded in popularity upon release for its blend of anime aesthetics and open-world freedom akin to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The character was on such a hot streak in 2021 that many speculated Aloy would be the final DLC fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - though this spot wound up going to Kingdom Hearts' Sora, who could also be considered a PlayStation icon despite many of his titles appearing on Nintendo consoles. Regardless, it's clear Sony is positioning Aloy to be one of its biggest mascots in the modern era, and Guerrilla Games' broadening umbrella is further proof.
Call of the Mountain Means Great Things for Guerrilla Games' Universe
Van Beek says Call of the Mountain is "designed to push gameplay, technology, and hardware innovation" in the teaser trailer for this VR game released today. A PlayStation Blog post discussing the new PSVR2 says Call of the Mountain "will open the doors for players to go deeper into the the world of Horizon," which it describes as "one of the biggest exclusive franchises on PlayStation."
The trailer itself is sparse; it appears to be an on-rails boat ride through a stretch of natue that gets interupted when a Tallneck - the giraffe-like machine which lets Aloy collect data on a surrounding area of her map - nearly steps on the player and their allies. It has not been disclosed when PlayStation's next VR headset or Call of the Mountain will be released. However, the fact that Guerrilla Games is getting a VR spin-off alongside its highly anticipated sequel, a year after Aloy appeared in crossovers with Fortnite and Genshin Impact, shows how much faith Sony has in the brand's potential. This is great news for fans, and something worth looking forward to.
Horizon Call of the Mountain is in development for PlayStation VR2.
Source: PlayStation Blog