Until Dawn Remake Faces Technical Issues and Low Player Engagement

Sony's much-anticipated remake of "Until Dawn" for PlayStation 5 and PC has hit a rough patch since its launch on October 4. This remake of the 2015 horror game was expected to attract a large audience with its updated graphics, technical enhancements, and minor story tweaks. However, the reality has been quite different, as the game has not only faced technical difficulties but has also seen disappointing player numbers.

Priced at $59.99, the remake does not offer a cheaper upgrade option for those who already own the original game. This decision seems to have deterred many potential players, particularly on PC. According to data from SteamDB, "Until Dawn" has only managed to reach a peak concurrent player count of 2,607 on Steam. In comparison, other single-player titles from PlayStation, such as "Ghost of Tsushima," "God of War," and "Spider-Man," have seen much higher player counts, with peaks of 77,154, 73,529, and 66,436 respectively. This makes "Until Dawn's" launch the weakest for Sony on Steam since the poorly received titles "Concord" and "Sackboy: A Big Adventure."

The small player base has reported numerous issues with the game. Currently, it holds a "mixed" user review rating on Steam, with only 69% of reviews being positive. Many players have expressed their dissatisfaction, citing problems such as the necessity of a PlayStation Network account, subpar optimization, changes to the original music, bugs, and at times, poor controls. Additionally, players have noted that features like ray tracing and DLSS are not functioning correctly, leading to graphical issues that "destroy immersion." The full price tag for a game that is nearly nine years old, combined with these problems, has left many feeling frustrated.

Developer Ballistic Moon, which faced significant layoffs prior to the game's release, has acknowledged these issues in a statement released on October 8. They expressed their understanding of the technical problems players have encountered and encouraged feedback to help address these concerns. The developers are aware of recurring issues, including problems with HDR and AMD FSR frame generation settings, as well as save/load issues. They have promised that they are actively testing fixes and will provide updates in their next patch.

However, the issues are not limited to the PC version. Digital Foundry's tech experts have pointed out that the PS5 version also suffers from frame pacing and ordering issues, with a 30 frames per second output at 1440p, significant aliasing on high-contrast edges, and disruptions during motion on-screen. While Ballistic Moon has indicated that updates are on the way, many players who have already spent $59.99 on the remake may feel that these fixes come too late.

Despite the rocky launch, fans of "Until Dawn" have found some enjoyment in the story changes introduced in the remake, with speculation about a potential sequel circulating among the community. Additionally, excitement is building as filming for the "Until Dawn" movie adaptation wrapped up earlier in October. As the universe of "Until Dawn" expands, it remains to be seen how the developers will address the current issues and whether they can regain the trust of their player base.

While the remake of "Until Dawn" had the potential to be a thrilling revival of a beloved horror game, its launch has been marred by technical problems and disappointing player engagement. As players await fixes and improvements, it serves as a reminder of the importance of delivering a polished product, especially when charging a premium price. The gaming community will be watching closely to see how Ballistic Moon responds to these challenges and whether they can turn the tide for this remake.