Grounding Inc. has shared new details about Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! on the PlayStation Blog, including the fact that development on the game is 40 percent complete.
The virtual reality take on the 1999-released Dreamcast puts the player in the role of twin reporters who joins Ulala and are assigned to cover a breaking dance news story. It will be released for PlayStation VR and HTC Vive.
Get the details below.
Why Virtual Reality?
When thinking about the latest console for Space Channel 5’s retro-futuristic, funky 60s sci-fi world, we thought virtual reality would be a great fit for Ulala’s style. Space Channel 5 VR is not simply a port of the old game, but reborn as a Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash!
This new game will revisit characters and stages from two decades ago. Graphics back then for the Dreamcast were not the high-definition 3D models we are used to; they were simple planar pictures. We are recreating the game from scratch as well as the story for PlayStation VR.
Soundtrack and Voice Actors
The music of Space Channel 5 VR has a 60s spy-style sound and pays homage to “Mexican Flyer” in the music and sound of Space Channel 5. Grounding not only paid attention to the music and sounds of the world, but has been working with the people who truly know and love Space Channel 5.
Want to do a big favor for Team Grounding? We’ve been looking for Apollo Smile, the voice actor who made Ulala special from the very beginning. She may have retired… but if anyone knows anything about Apollo Smile, please email us at [email protected]! We want to bring the original voice actor English voice actor back again! Any help and information would be appreciated to help Ulala become the number one reporter in the entire galaxy!!
Gameplay
In Space Channel 5 VR, the player (YOU) becomes a rookie reporter and joins the report show with Ulala. You might wonder why we didn’t want the player to be Ulala herself in this game. This is because we wanted the player to interact with Ulala in the game. We’re sure it’s going to be more exciting if the player can see her close by and feel that they’re working with her to dance against the aliens to save the earth and march to the end of the galaxy together.
Also, “striking a pose” is a new feature! When an enemy’s beam is coming, let’s dodge with a pose! Beat them with your groove!
Characters
Ulala (pronounced ooh-la-la) is Space Channel 5’s top reporter. A news reporter saved her life when she was young, and it inspired her to become a reporter for the Space Channel. She carries around her trusty microphone and two guns. The Chu Beam is used for shooting aliens, robots and other attackers while the Rescue Beam is used to rescue hostages being forced to dance. When ratings are high, she emits a pink aura, signifying she is full of groove energy.
- Lou & Kee (player‘s character) are identical twins. Rookie reporters assigned to cover a breaking dance news story. Ulala is their boss.
- Morolians are alien creatures. They have invaded Earth, forcing people to dance. In Space Channel 5 VR, they invaded earth, forcing people to dance again.
New characters appear to the game later!
Stories Behind the Development
In order to evolve characters from the low polygons for Dreamcast into the current style, the development team creates and destroys each character repeatedly. We’re carefully creating and developing the game, so that it shows the love we poured into the game.
The demo for Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! will be available at PlayStation’s booth at PAX East 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts from March 28 to 31. By playing the demo, you will see the nostalgic but strangely new Ulala and Morolian to this time and age.
Development Status
We’ve completed roughly 40 percent of the game. This is the information that nobody in the world knows. Stay tuned for more info and updates!