Ghostrunner

GDC Plays Ghostrunner with One More Level

The development of Ghostrunner represents a strategic shift toward high-fidelity, first-person action, moving away from the studio’s previous top-down design roots.

• Ghostrunner centers on a 'one-hit, one-kill' mechanic, which the developers adapted into a first-person perspective to differentiate the title from traditional action games.
• To maintain gameplay momentum, the developers designed levels to be 'waterproofed'—ensuring fluid movement and navigation while allowing for multiple player-chosen routes without stopping the action.
• Narrative exposition is delivered primarily through in-game dialogue rather than face-to-face interactions, utilizing quieter, non-combat platforming sections to ensure players can absorb the story without interrupting the game's pace.