Who You Gonna Call? ‘Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord’ Now Available on Meta Quest

Whether you saw the original films in theaters, grew up on the animated series, or just recently jumped on the franchise with 2021’s Afterlife, odds are that Ghostbusters holds a special place in your heart. And now you can step inside the franchise and actually become a Ghostbuster with the launch of Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord from developer nDreams and publisher Sony Pictures Virtual Reality (SPVR).

Immerse yourself in the thrills and fun of bustin’ ghosts like never before on Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro. Quash a Mini-Pufts invasion in your own home with the exclusive MR game mode Mini-Puft Mayhem. Save the city of San Francisco in a narrative campaign or team up with friends for some co-op action.

We sat down with Sony Pictures Entertainment Senior Vice President of Virtual Reality Jake Zim to learn more.

Jake Zim: I’ve been immersed in the entertainment industry for two decades, primarily within movie studios, where technology and entertainment intersect. For the past 12 years, I’ve been a part of Sony, a company renowned for its excellence in technology and its commitment to using tech to fuel creativity.

What brought me into the game industry and led me to this particular project was my fascination with the potential of emerging technologies. In particular, I was drawn to the possibilities presented by VR, which I saw as a groundbreaking platform for creatives, artists, filmmakers, and game developers to craft entirely new forms of entertainment. In 2016, I embarked on a new venture within Sony Pictures, establishing Sony Pictures Virtual Reality (SPVR), with a clear goal in mind. We aimed to build a business that would empower artists to create fresh and innovative experiences for audiences, and Sony Pictures’ unique differentiator in this endeavor was its extensive IP. We asked ourselves how we could expand the beloved worlds that people adore, such as Ghostbusters, and offer them a unique way to experience and interact with these cherished universes through VR.

JZ: Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord entered development in 2020. We were always aware that the Ghostbusters franchise was a perfect fit for a VR game based on our prior experience with other projects, such as a previous location-based VR Ghostbusters game and other related ventures. Fundamentally, what we learned from these experiences was that people love the idea of busting ghosts together with their friends. Once the technology matured to the point where it was feasible to turn this dream into a reality, and when the business aspects finally aligned, we jumped at the opportunity to embark on this journey with nDreams in collaboration with Meta and PlayStation.

One memorable and fun anecdote from our development journey revolves around our quest to make players feel incredibly powerful when wielding the proton wand. We dedicated a significant amount of time to refining the feeling of busting ghosts during early testing and demos. After exhaustive testing, the pivotal moment finally came one day when we all put on VR headsets and blasted ghosts together as a team. The exhilaration, the sweat, and the smiles on our faces signaled that we had crossed the threshold into something special, and it was a remarkable moment that left us with a sense of accomplishment and excitement for the project.

JZ: Working with nDreams has been a fantastic experience. We have a deep appreciation for developers who have a strong history in the VR space, understanding that it’s a journey filled with both successes and learning experiences, figuring out what works and what doesn’t. It’s crucial to work with developers who believe in the long-term growth of this medium and have invested the time to master its unique qualities. nDreams, in many ways, checks all these boxes.

What made this collaboration even more exciting was the fact that it marked their first venture into the realm of multiplayer games. We were drawn to their ambitious spirit and their fearlessness in tackling new challenges with a can-do attitude.

Game development is a rigorous endeavor in its own right, but when it comes to developing games in VR, it’s an entirely different beast. VR presents very powerful experiences unlike anything else in gaming, but its development is both difficult and demanding, and it requires developers like nDreams who are willing to face these challenges head-on and craft innovative solutions. This collaboration with nDreams has been a harmonious coming together of expertise and determination to explore uncharted territory in VR.

JZ: The MR game mode in Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord offers an engaging and immersive experience that allows you to transform your home into a playground for battling an invasion of mischievous Mini-Pufts, those playful yet destructive marshmallow ghosts, right in your living room. This MR game mode not only provides an unprecedented level of interactivity but also allows players to enjoy the game in their real-life environment, blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds. This type of MR opens the door to a whole new realm of possibilities for game developers and players alike, and we can’t wait to continue to experiment and build from here.

JZ: The Full Containment Edition is the premium edition of Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord. This not only grants players access to the base game, but it also includes six months of downloadable content we’re bringing to the game post-launch. Prepare for an array of new, exciting features including four equipment skins, 10+ additional player avatars, a Slimer Hunt feature, and numerous other surprises.

While downloadable content will always be available for purchase after players have delved into the base game, we’re thrilled to continue to support our community, and we’re committed to offering more exciting content. Stay tuned, as we have plenty more to share regarding what’s next in store.

JZ: Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord seamlessly weaves itself into the rich cinematic Ghostbusters universe. While we aimed to introduce fresh elements, featuring an all-new crew in a different city dealing with new spectral challenges, the game remains firmly rooted in the original franchise. Players will encounter familiar faces from the Ghostbusters world, including the mischievous Mini-Pufts, and we’re excited to announce that fan-favorite Slimer will also make an appearance soon. Our primary goal is to capture the essence of the Ghostbusters franchise, delivering moments of suspense and scares, swiftly followed by the trademark fun and laughter that fans have come to love over the years.

This is a vast universe that encompasses all sorts of personalities. With that in mind, there’s a new Ghostbusters movie, and who knows what kind of exciting possibilities may arise for cross-medium experiences in this shared universe? 😉

JZ: Without a doubt, my favorite part of this game is the camaraderie of busting ghosts with friends! One unique mechanic, in particular, stands out: the necessity to high-five a teammate when you’re down to get back up. It’s a seemingly simple action, yet it’s a feature that can only be experienced in VR, and it resonates deeply with our players. This mechanic instantly forges a connection with your teammates in the heat of the moment.

The heart of the Ghostbusters has always been their teamwork. Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord gives you the ability to team up just as they did to track and trap ghosts on your journey to save the city, capturing the essence of what makes the Ghostbusters franchise so special and memorable.

JZ: Witnessing players engage with the proton wand is one of our favorite things to see. In virtual reality, the immersion is unparalleled, and the sensation of holding and operating the ghostbusting equipment is very lifelike. The proton pack has a dynamic and responsive design and encourages players to fully embrace their role. We’ve even seen lots of players instinctively adopt a wide stance while blasting away at ghosts!

Beyond the proton wand, the amusing and diverse range of reactions we’ve witnessed while demoing and playtesting the game has been a source of endless entertainment. Players have run the gamut of emotions, from finding certain elements of the game irresistibly cute to experiencing heart-pounding jump scares and facing off against formidable boss battles. One of the highlights has undoubtedly been the reactions to the mischievous Mini-Pufts attaching themselves to the players, provoking laughter and surprise. The wide variety of reactions, from delight to shock, show the sheer joy and entertainment that our game brings to its players.

JZ: It’s fun busting ghosts with friends, period.

We hope players take away that special sense of teamwork and shared adventure this game offers. The essence of the Ghostbusters franchise has always been about coming together to face challenges with courage and teamwork. With Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord, we aimed to capture that feeling. We want players to feel a genuine connection with their fellow Ghostbusters, and if they carry forward memories of laughter, excitement, and triumphs, then we’ve achieved our goal.

JZ: Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord’s campaign offers 12+ hours of gameplay, 20+ for completionists, giving players the chance to engage with over 40 missions that advance to new levels of difficulty on their journey to save San Francisco. However, this is just the beginning. Players can also look forward to new game modes and content coming after launch, so be on the lookout!

JZ: Beyond the adventures and cooperative ghostbusting thrills, Ghostbusters: Rise of the Ghost Lord is a celebration of the Ghostbusters legacy. We invite players to team up, dive into the action, and explore the many mysteries San Francisco has to offer. We can’t wait to hear about everyone’s experience being a Ghostbuster, and we sincerely thank the fans for taking part in this incredible adventure. And remember... who they gonna call? You!

If you’re interested in the game, come join the community on Discord. We welcome all players interested in busting ghosts! 😀