Golem
Developer(s)Highwire Games
Publisher(s)Highwire Games
Director(s)
  • Jaime Griesemer
  • Jared Noftle
Artist(s)
  • Vic Deleon
  • Travis Brady
Composer(s)Martin O'Donnell
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platform(s)PlayStation 4
ReleaseNovember 15, 2019
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player only

Golem is a video game developed by Highwire Games for the PlayStation 4 video game console, specifically for the PlayStation VR virtual reality headset. It was released on November 15, 2019.

Development

Golem is the debut game from independent studio Highwire Games.[1] Based in Seattle, the studio was founded in 2015 by former Bungie employees Martin O'Donnell and Jaime Griesemer, alongside Jared Noftle, co-founder of Airtight Games.[2][3] Vic Deleon, another former Bungie employee, left 343 Industries to join the development team as world art director and Travis Brady of Valve joined as character art director.[2]

Golem was developed for the PlayStation 4 and makes use of the PlayStation VR virtual reality headset.[1] The game was developed using Unreal Engine 4.[2] Highwire approached Epic Games' Seattle-based studio for assistance on developing the virtual reality game.[2]

O'Donnell, who serves as the game's composer, launched a Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund a "musical prequel" to Golem, titled Echoes of the First Dreamer.[4]

Release

Golem was first announced in December 2015 at the PlayStation Experience.[1] The game was scheduled to launch on 13 March 2018,[5] but had since been delayed for further polishing. On 19 August, Highwire games confirmed a new Fall 2019 release window.[6]

Reception

The game received mixed reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic, with an average of 59/100 based on 19 reviews.[7]

Golem was nominated for "Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition" at the 23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards,[8] and won the award for "Best Dialogue for an Indie Game" at the 2020 G.A.N.G. Awards, whereas its other nomination was for "Best Sound Design for an Indie Game".[9][10]

References

  1. ^ a b c Griesemer, Jaime (5 December 2015). "Golem from Highwire Games is a PlayStation VR Exclusive". PlayStation Blog. Sony Interactive Entertainment. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Kuchera, Ben (22 February 2016). "A Seattle supergroup of developers is trying to crack VR's trickiest problems". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  3. ^ Handrahan, Matthew (18 June 2015). "Bungie, Airtight veterans found Highwire Games". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  4. ^ Phillips, Tom (11 March 2016). "Destiny composer Marty O'Donnell announces Kickstarter musical project". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 18 December 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  5. ^ Griesemer, Jaime (9 December 2017). "Golem: The Power of Your Dreams". PlayStation Blog. Sony Interactive Entertainment. Archived from the original on 18 December 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  6. ^ "Golem Emerges From the Shadows This Fall On Playstation VR". Highwire Games. 19 August 2019. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Golem for Playstation 4". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  8. ^ Chalk, Andy (13 January 2020). "Control and Death Stranding get 8 nominations each for the 2020 DICE Awards". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Awards Archive". Game Audio Network Guild. 2023-08-02. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  10. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (6 May 2020). "'Death Stranding' Sweeps Gaming's G.A.N.G. Awards With Six Wins Including Audio of the Year". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2020.

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