Supermassive Games has revealed its latest production, Directive 8020, a gaming experience that emulates the suspense of horror movies, where the player’s decisions directly impact the development of the story. Set in space, players take on the role of a group of scientists and explorers facing an extraterrestrial threat that steals identities and attacks the crew of the Cassiopeia. They don’t want to lose anyone along the way. One of the most notable features of Directive 8020 is its episodic structure. Divided into eight episodes, the game offers shocking endings at the end […]
Supermassive Games has revealed its latest production, Directive 8020, a gaming experience that emulates the suspense of horror movies, where the player’s decisions directly impact the development of the story. Set in space, players take on the role of a group of scientists and explorers who face an extraterrestrial threat that steals identities and attacks the crew of the Cassiopeia.
They don’t want to lose anyone along the way
One of the most notable features of Directive 8020 is its episodic structure. Divided into eight episodes, the game offers shocking endings at the end of each one, which increases narrative tension and facilitates more manageable gaming sessions. Creative director Will Doyle has mentioned that this approach provides players with the flexibility to schedule their playtime, allowing them to enjoy episodes at convenient times.
The narrative consists of an effective mix of cinematic moments and action sequences that require quick decisions. This lean forward and lean back format creates total immersion in the story, making players feel increasingly connected to the unfolding events. Despite its enigmatic setting, the game manages to convey a sense of cinematic realism, ensuring that the decisions do not feel too game-like, which could break the immersion.
Additionally, players have the option to use a mechanic that allows them to redo decisions or actions, providing a unique and varied experience in each game. With this option, fans will be able to explore multiple endings and correct mistakes, thus enriching their experience. This versatility in gameplay allows each player to make decisions according to their instincts, ensuring that every adventure in Directive 8020 is unique.
Sony is increasingly betting on synergies. It’s no secret. Its two main battlefields right now are anime and video games, and its idea is to exploit them as intimately as possible, especially after seeing how well its major video game IPs can perform when brought to the big screen. Something it has only done so far with live-action movies. Because all of Sony’s big video game movies have been successful. Perhaps not among critics and certainly not among fans of these IPs, but they have managed to work in what […]
Sony is increasingly betting on synergies. It’s no secret. Its two major battlefields right now are anime and video games, and its idea is to exploit them as closely as possible, especially after seeing how well its major video game IPs can perform when brought to the big screen. Something it has only done so far with live-action films.
Because all the movies based on Sony’s major video games have been successful. Perhaps not among critics and certainly not among fans of these IPs, but they have managed to perform in what matters most to executives: making good box office numbers. This is also true for their latest approach, which, while not the best movie of 2025, is quite better than its also recent remake. We are talking about the film adaptation of Until Dawn.
A movie that has successfully adapted the video game
Adapting the 2015 video game by Supermassive Games, the original already had everything to be a movie. After all, Until Dawn put us in the shoes of eight young adults who went on vacation to the Blackwood Mountains where, due to various circumstances, they found themselves being pursued by a serial killer. Closely following the premises of slasher horror films, the game made us make decisions that ultimately led to the survival or death of our characters, in a butterfly effect that changed the game based on what we decided to do at any given moment.
While its non-linear format and the possibility that several, all, or none of the characters survive do not fit well with cinema, the fact that it is heavily inspired by horror films from the 70s and 80s does. This is something that can be seen in the movie.
Directed by David F. Sandberg, the director of the two Shazam movies and Annabelle: Creation, the film starts from the same premise as the original video game, with a twist to justify everything that happens in it. We won’t reveal it here, as we want to avoid spoilers, but it is a very clever way to justify the constant loops of the original game and explains everything that happens up to this point in the movie, giving it a very unique style and a somewhat different feel compared to other contemporary horror films.
Costing only 15 million dollars, the movie was a fairly modest success. Grossing 54 million at the box office, the film performed especially well in the United States and Canada, demonstrating that it remains the main territory for this type of films.
Unfortunately for Sony, the movie was a bit of a disaster in terms of critical reception and public opinion. With a 52% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 47 on Metacritic, the movie is rated worse than well. And considering it received a C+ on CinemaScore on a scale from A+ to F and a 63% positive rating on PostTrak from the audience, it doesn’t seem like a movie that will receive approval for a sequel. Even if, for a part of the audience that includes us, it is an enjoyable movie under the right conditions: a silly afternoon with plenty of popcorn and a good soda.
Moreover, it’s easy for you to get it. Now more than ever. The movie is now available to watch on Movistar Plus+ and to rent on AppleTV, making it easier than ever to watch it on a lazy afternoon. And if you do it knowing what you’re in for, it could very well be a good afternoon.
Supermassive Games, known for titles like Until Dawn and Little Nightmares, is facing tough times as it will announce the layoff of 36 employees before the release of its next game, Directive 8020. This situation comes alongside the news that the game’s release has been delayed until the first half of 2026, which could affect the studio’s future trajectory. Layoffs and delays are a bad sign for the health of the studio. The layoff announcement was communicated through a post on the Twitter platform, where the company used language that has generated criticism […]
Supermassive Games, known for titles like Until Dawn and Little Nightmares, is facing tough times as it will announce the layoff of 36 employees ahead of the release of its upcoming game, Directive 8020. This situation comes alongside the news that the game’s release has been delayed until the first half of 2026, which could impact the studio’s future trajectory.
Delays and layoffs are a bad sign for the health of the studio
The announcement of layoffs was communicated through a post on the Twitter platform, where the company used language that has generated criticism for minimizing the impact of this decision. They indicate that “the video game industry remains a challenging and constantly evolving environment,” thus justifying the need to initiate a consultation process for redundancies. However, the choice of words such as “we anticipate losing” employees has been considered an attempt to soften a difficult message. Some experts suggest that this form of communication could be influenced by UK labor laws, which require at least 30 days’ notice before carrying out mass layoffs.
This is not the first round of layoffs at Supermassive, as in February 2024 a round of layoffs took place following the resignation of its founders, who led the company for 16 years. On that occasion, the company used similar language to address the market difficulties and the restructuring of the team.
The current situation underscores a growing pattern in the video game industry, where many studios face structural and economic challenges, resulting in recurring layoffs and changes within the organization. With an increasingly competitive landscape, video game enthusiasts hope that the upcoming releases from Supermassive and other studios can provide innovative experiences despite internal difficulties.
Ballistic Moon, the studio behind the remake of Until Dawn released in 2024, has announced its effective closure after failing to find a publisher for its next project. According to a report from Insider Gaming, only the founders and a few employees remain active in the company, while the rest of the team has been laid off in recent months. A studio at risk even before the game’s release Founded in 2020 by industry veterans from studios like EA and Supermassive Games, Ballistic Moon has faced significant difficulties in its efforts to secure funding. Despite […]
Ballistic Moon, the studio behind the 2024 remake of Until Dawn, has announced its effective closure after failing to find a publisher for its next project. According to a report from Insider Gaming, only the founders and a few employees remain active in the company, while the rest of the team has been laid off in recent months.
A study under risk even before the game’s launch
Founded in 2020 by industry veterans from studios like EA and Supermassive Games, Ballistic Moon has faced significant challenges in its efforts to secure funding. Despite having worked on a remake that modernized the beloved horror adventure game on PS4 using Unreal Engine 5, its reception was lukewarm compared to the original version. The remake featured a new soundtrack, a shift to a third-person perspective, and a post-credits scene that hinted at a possible sequel. However, this effort does not seem to have been enough to keep the studio afloat.
Additionally, the study did not receive support from Sony for future work related to the Until Dawn franchise, which has further limited its development capacity. Although it is unclear if a sequel to Until Dawn is in development, it seems that Ballistic Moon is not involved in that possible continuation. However, it is rumored that interest in the franchise could be revived with the upcoming release of a movie based on Until Dawn, scheduled for next month.
The disappearance of Ballistic Moon highlights the challenges faced by many independent development studios today, especially in such a competitive and ever-changing market as that of video games. Meanwhile, players can still enjoy the remake of Until Dawn on PC and PS5, although the future of the title and its franchise seems uncertain, even with its movie already in progress.
Supermassive Games, known for its acclaimed video game Until Dawn, has announced that its new horror and science fiction title, Directive 8020, will be released on October 2, 2023, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This date was confirmed during the recent PS5 State of Play, where the studio presented a first look at this exciting space adventure. Directive 8020 promises to immerse players in the intense experience of the spaceship Cassiopeia, where player choices will have a significant impact on the fate of the crew and, by extension, of the […]
Supermassive Games, known for its acclaimed video game Until Dawn, has announced that its new horror and science fiction title, Directive 8020, will be released on October 2, 2023, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. This date was confirmed during the recent PS5 State of Play, where the studio presented a first look at this exciting space adventure.
Directive 8020 promises to immerse players in the intense experience of the spaceship Cassiopeia, where players’ choices will have a significant impact on the fate of the crew and, by extension, humanity. The main protagonist, Young, is played by actress Lashana Lynch, known for her role in The Marvels. This game will not only offer an engaging narrative but will also feature a diverse cast of characters and a deadly alien threat that will heighten the tension in the story.
Different setting, but the same spirit as always
Will Doyle, creative director of Supermassive Games, has stated that the team is working hard to provide a narrative experience that combines science fiction exploration with horror elements, where every decision can lead to disastrous consequences. As the story progresses, players will interact with five crew members, facing dilemmas that increase paranoia and distrust aboard the ship.
Supermassive Games has made improvements and redesigns in the gameplay, maintaining the studio’s DNA, which is characterized by branching storylines and difficult decisions that challenge players. The anticipation for Directive 8020 is palpable among genre fans, who eagerly await an intense experience full of surprises and shocking twists.
Bandai Namco has just announced a new Little Nightmares during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live, albeit with a couple of surprises.
Horror games have a very loyal audience. In addition to being highly popular among streamers, horror fans enjoy consuming a variety of games, each very different. The established presence of horror across all forms of audiovisual media makes it easy to envision and reimagine all sorts of video games for diverse audiences. That’s why it’s not surprising to find numerous cult titles and many companies specializing in creating them. Occasionally, these two aspects blend together, creating a unique synergy.
This is what happened during the Gamescom Opening Light Live event, where a new installment of the famous franchise Little Nightmares was announced. However, the original studio Tarsier Studios won’t be behind it, as we’ve known since Embracer Studios acquired them in 2021, since the franchise rights remain with Bandai Namco.
That’s why for the third installment of the series, they have entrusted its development to Supermassive Games, a studio renowned for its cinematic horror games like Until Dawn, The Quarry, and titles from The Dark Picture Anthology. In any case, this won’t be the first time they take on a title from the franchise. The studio already handled the Enhanced Edition for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S of Little Nightmares 2, so they are more than familiar with the game.
Although we’ve only been able to glimpse a short trailer of the game, it seems that the tone and aesthetic of the first two games will be preserved. The main novelty of this third installment is the introduction of online cooperative play or solo play with an AI-controlled companion.
Little Nightmares 3 is set to release in 2024 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.
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