Sony's immersive gaming concept lets players sniff monsters in The Last of Us

Smelly Games: Sony astatine CES 2025 unveiled an immersive demo group successful nan post-apocalyptic world of The Last of Us. Naughty Dog's acclaimed action-adventure bid features dispute humans transformed into cannibalistic creatures by a mutated fungus. Now, Sony intends to elevate 1 of PlayStation's astir successful franchises into a much beingness – and undoubtedly terrifying – experience.

Have you ever wondered what nan hideous hosts of nan Cordyceps fungus successful The Last of Us mightiness smell like? Sony is betting that plentifulness of group person – and built its Future Immersive Entertainment Concept (FIEC) astir this eerie idea. The one-time objection debuted astatine CES 2025, showcasing Sony's imagination for translating gaming narratives into wholly caller mediums.

The Japanese tech elephantine designed a large, interactive room wherever "players" were surrounded by cutting-edge Crystal LED panels. Upon entering nan enclosed space, visitors could immerse themselves successful interactive contented pulled straight from The Last of Us series. The acquisition was enhanced by move audio, haptic feedback, atmospheric scents, and different sensory effects to bring nan game's haunting world to life.

Sony described FIEC arsenic a imaginable glimpse into nan early of large-scale, immersive experiences. Players could interact pinch nan situation utilizing real-world tools, specified arsenic illuminating a circumstantial area pinch a flashlight aliases firing astatine fungal creatures emerging from nan shadows.

A scent-enabled, fungus-equipped FIEC setup is undoubtedly a costly acquisition to create, making it improbable to go a mass-produced merchandise anytime soon. Sony has besides faced disapproval for investing successful esoteric technologies that galore consumers didn't inquire for – this while still trading nan pricey PSVR2 headset to PlayStation and PC users.

At nan moment, Sony doesn't look willing successful expanding console-based VR experiences beyond nan PSVR2. Instead, nan PlayStation institution appears to beryllium exploring different innovative intermezo formats.

Naughty Dog first released The Last of Us successful 2013, followed by further downloadable contented and a remake. The series' due sequel, The Last of Us Part II, debuted successful 2020 and is now being ported to PC successful a "remastered" edition.

In caller years, nan franchise has reached a broader assemblage acknowledgment to HBO's award-winning live-action series starring Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal. A 2nd play is group to premiere successful April 2025, pinch a 3rd play already successful development.