Ghost of Tabor is one of VR’s most notable successes. As system overhauls, a PSVR2 launch, and Quest 3 upgrades unfold, what’s next for this extraction FPS?
It’s been a bustling year for Fight Waffle Studios. Following the launch of Ghosts of Tabor in early access last year, the Escape from Tarkov-inspired game has achieved significant milestones, attracting a player base of 500,000 individuals and generating $10 million in revenue. With this year’s major updates already rolled out, including The Collector’s Awakening, the transition to the Primary Quest Retailer, and a Pico port, much more is still on the horizon.
At an event co-hosted by Fight Waffle and Past Frames Leisure, I had the opportunity to participate in a live-action Ghosts of Tabor experience and sat down with Scott Albright, Founder, Creative Director, and CEO of Fight Waffle Studios, for an interview. Following the event, Albright engaged in a further Q&A session with a diverse group of VR content creators and journalists.
When discussing the origins of growth, Albright disclosed that initially, Ghosts of Tabor was mistakenly thought to be Ghosts of Kyiv; however, the studio altered its trajectory following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A lifelong enthusiast of Tarkov and DayZ, Albright pondered the glaring omission – a virtual reality equivalent to the survival games that had captured his attention for so long.
“I consulted with numerous builders who initially doubted the feasibility of the project, but I insisted that it was possible… Despite encountering obstacles, people claiming the Quest couldn’t handle it, our perseverance proved them wrong.” I seized the opportunity, assembled a team of eight skilled professionals, and successfully launched [Ghosts of Tabor].
During the cozy fireplace conversation that unfolded in the studio, a pivotal decision was made to create a game for Quest, which Albright referred to as a “day-one” commitment.
If we fail to attend Quest, our efforts will be for naught. Unfortunately, that is just the way it is. With the largest participant base, any new studio or developer looking to create a VR game should prioritize embracing Quest as their platform of choice. Despite being Quest 3’s exclusive offering, it’s crucial to have a presence on this platform to remain competitive and avoid falling behind the curve within a year.
Considering the saturated VR shooter landscape, didn’t Ghosts of Tabor always seem more like an incremental play rather than a bold gamble? Madeline Albright initially thought “it would do okay,” but had no idea just how lucrative it would ultimately prove to be.
“That exceeds even our most ambitious expectations.” We’ve grown to a team of forty people across three projects, with more awaiting formal approval. We were convinced that VR demanded a shooter of this caliber; however, the final product surprised us with its unanticipated departure from expectations. Despite encountering skepticism from publishers, who doubted the appeal of our project, citing “nobody will ever be interested,” I believe their hesitation stems from the fact that virtual reality represents a niche market.
While acknowledging the importance of considering group feedback, Madeleine Albright tempered expectations by emphasizing that some challenges require immediate attention and may not be resolved in the near future. The two operatives seamlessly coordinated, implementing a well-oiled system for rapidly reviving downed comrades and marking enemy positions above their fallen allies to efficiently reposition them throughout the battlefield.
“That’s not the kind of leisure activity we’re looking for,” said Albright, clarifying her stance.
“When team dynamics are out of sync, as they often can be when teammates aren’t regularly communicating like they should, those who take matters into their own hands by ‘spraying’ – or aggressively expressing themselves – risk suffering the consequences.”
While we can’t predict everything, we do anticipate several near-term adjustments. A newly introduced squad system has been revamped to accommodate a reframer and seamless squad voice chat, with CTO Jonas Degn overseeing the “completely rebuilt” overhaul at Fight Waffle. The replacement drop takes place on July 31, accompanied by a subsequent server wipe, a revamped mission system, and a coveted Golden Luty as a wipe reward.
The upcoming Eastwood Weapon Pack, available for $5 on release day, includes a cowboy hat and four new weapons as listed below.
- The iconic 1873 Colt Single Action Army revolver, also known as the “Peacemaker”, chambered in .45 Long Colt.
- The 1883 sawed-off double-barrel “Insurgent” 12-gauge shotgun featured a full buttstock.
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The El Dorado, a unique 12-gauge shotgun, featured a sawed-off design and an innovative pistol grip that neatly fit into a pistol holster.
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The 1894 Marlin lever-action rifle, affectionately nicknamed “Rowdy,” has been reimagined to meet modern demands. Its sleek design now features Picatinny rails along the barrel and a stylish bandolier-style inventory system for enhanced functionality.
Albright later disclosed that the upcoming Quest 3 will debut on July 31, featuring graphical upgrades, but declined to provide further details about this refresh.
While this feature has long been a priority, we’ve been working diligently to bring it to life. As a large and complex organization, we are undertaking comprehensive system upgrades to enhance overall reliability and introduce innovative features. The subsequent factor coming into play is the Quest 3 replacement.
Fight Waffle is teaming up with VRMonkey to develop content for the forthcoming PSVR 2 model, a collaboration that sees VRMonkey bringing its expertise in porting titles such as The Exorcist: Legion VR and Tarzan VR to the table. While graphical enhancements and haptic suggestions through the Sense Controller are touted for the PSVR 2, specifics on each feature remain undefined by Albright.
While eschewing discussion of potential physical models, I’ve been informed that the digital PSVR 2 launch date draws near, awaiting its official announcement.
The critically acclaimed indie title Ghosts of Tabor is slated for a release on PlayStation platforms within the next few months.
The VR horror experience Ghosts of Tabor is now available to purchase on SteamVR, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, and Pico for the affordable price of $24.99.
