Hunt: Showdown 1896continues to evolve thanks to a constant stream of new gameplay modes and mechanics to keep players busy. While not all of its new additions have been received favorably, developer Crytek’s ongoing commitment to the game is commendable. The most recent new addition is its collaboration with theGhost Facein particular. Arriving just in time for Halloween, the crossover introducesHunt: Showdown 1896’s version of Ghost Face’s signature mask as well as other linked cosmetics and weapons.
In a recent interview with Game Rant,Hunt: Showdown 1896’s narrative director Richard Dansky and art director Stefan Heinrich discussed the game’s crossover. They talked about the challenges of bringing Ghost Face into theHuntuniverse, and how the new cosmetics and weapons fit in.This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Devs Talk Hunt: Showdown 1896’s Crossover With Ghost Face
Q: How did the collaboration come about?
Dansky:We wanted to celebrate Halloween with a new storyline and introduce a familiar face that could welcome new players intoHunt. Many players have asked about crossover skins in the past, and we decided Halloween would be a good time to introduce an IP collaboration with a major horror icon. When we considered how it could fit into our time period and setting, we saw a blend of Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’ originally painted in 1893, combined with a generational lore around the mask itself. We wove a narrative thread for our world inspired by these, where there is an ancient and sinister artifact that has been around beforeHunt- and before Munch captured it in his painting. We then coupled this with a pop culture reference which wouldcapture the attention of horror fans not yet familiar with theHuntfranchise.
Q: Can you explain why you chose Ghost Face over other horror franchises?
Dansky:We loved the idea of having aniconic look for Halloween, and as part of that, the Ghost Face Hunter seemed to be a perfect fit for our new event, ‘Harvest of Ghosts’. In our world, the mask is a mantle that has passed through generations of killers, and our version of the iconic mask centers around a madman driven to a bloody frenzy by its foul whispers during a hunting trip to Louisiana.
Q: Can you share any challenges you faced in adapting Ghost Face’s elements into the world of Hunt: Showdown, and can you talk us through the process of doing it?
Dansky:When we were presented with the challenge ofbringing the Ghost Face Hunter into the world ofHunt, we knew we had to do it in a way that was appropriate for the mood and tone of our setting. We focussed on a story where the iconic mask is passed from killer to killer, corrupting its wearer from generation to generation. We extended that logic – what if the mask had been handed down through the centuries, bearing with it an ever-increasing legacy of murder and madness? What if it fell into the hands of Hunter in the Bayou in the 1890s?
From the perspective of theHuntuniverse, could it be the Sculptor’s influence that gave the mask its power and inspired its blood lust? Just as other Sculptor artifacts like the Murmurstone had their own powerful effects, we see the mask as another artifact spreading madness and foul deeds. From that premise, we put together a story that grounded the notion of the Ghost Face Hunter within our setting and time period.
How Hunt: Showdown 1896’s New Cosmetics and Weapons Relate to Ghost Face
Q: Can you walk us through the new cosmetics and weapons and how they relate to Ghost Face, starting with the Hunter?
Heinrich:We put our own stamp on the Ghost Face Hunter, designing him withthe telltaleHuntaestheticin mind. The mask became weathered and cracked, carved in wood. The typical black robe was replaced with a tattered duster and leather holsters to complete the look. One of the key themes we kept coming back to was ‘stealth’, which is why his weapons are all black. We incorporated gothic ornaments carved into dark wood, leading to a rich and opulent feel.
We wanted to create weapons that were special and precious to such a character. Another important aspect was the interplay of the different materials on the all-black surfaces, and we built upon this to create variation and visual interest. A unique touch was playing with the geometry of the silencer, creating a hexagonal shape that evokes a stronger gothic vibe, something we hadn’t explored before. This design complements the existing material contrasts in the character while maintaining a cohesive dark tone that resonates beautifully with the overall aesthetic.
Q: The timing of this collaboration coincides perfectly with Halloween. Is there any other Halloween-themed content players can expect?
Dansky:Yes, currently ournew event, Harvest of Ghosts, is live, which introduces fresh mechanics, powerful new Pacts, and plenty of rewards to unlock. Along with it, we have a new time-limited game mode called Bounty Clash, which is where players are just in one compound and have 15 minutes to pick up a single bounty token and extract it – so far, we have had an overwhelmingly positive response to this. We are running Bounty Clash every weekend, including throughout our new Halloween Twitch Drops campaign which started on the 25th of October and runs until the 1st of November.
Q: What’s next on Hunt: Showdown’s road map? Should players expect further DLC?
Dansky:We can’t say too much, but we have an extremely exciting collaboration lined up that we also feel can be woven into the world ofHuntand our mythos. Something very different is coming up! We’ll be sharing more in November, so keep an eye on our socials for news.
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