Oulu (FI) August 20 2026 — VRKiwi, in collaboration with Studio Chipo y Juan, is excited to announce that the upcoming mystery title, Detective VR, will be playable for press and influencers at Gamescom 2026. This highly anticipated investigation experience is set to launch officially on PlayStation VR2 on September 9th, 2026.
You can watch the new gameplay trailer showcasing the PSVR2 hand tracking mechanics here: https://youtu.be/hi1o4iw7VjM
Detective VR distinguishes itself as one of the few titles on the platform to fully support controller-free hand tracking. By removing the traditional "tech wall" of buttons and menus, the game creates a deeply tactile experience where the player’s own hands become the detective's most direct interface.
"The goal from the start was to make the technology disappear," says Alexandre Garland, CEO & Game Designer at Studio Chipo y Juan. "With hand tracking on PSVR2, you are no longer pressing buttons to manipulate evidence. You are reaching out to pick up clues, turning items naturally in your hands, and organizing your investigation board as if you were truly working at a real detective’s desk."
While hand tracking provides the immersion, the core of Detective VR remains focused on human observation. Unlike games that rely on highlighting objects, Detective VR challenges players to use their own wit. The game features motion-captured performances from real actors, where nuances like hesitation, eye contact, and body language provide the vital clues needed to crack the case. Players must utilize the game’s signature time-rewind mechanic to scrutinize testimonies and build their own reasoning, rather than relying on an automated interface.
"The PSVR2 port was a labor of love for our team," adds Jaakko Asikainen, CTO at VRKiwi. "Adapting hand tracking to ensure it felt responsive, intuitive, and natural was a significant technical challenge, but it is the key to preserving the intimate 'detective fantasy' that the original game design intended."
Detective VR will be available for hands-on, controller-free demos on PlayStation VR2 at Gamescom for media and creators at Hall 3.2, in the FRENCH AREA, in the 'Rising Sud Booth'. The title launches for the public on September 9th on PlayStation VR2 and Steam.
Key Features:
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Controller-Free Gameplay (PSVR2 specific): Use your own hands to handle physical evidence, point at details, and manage your investigation board.
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Time-Manipulation Mechanics: Rewind testimonies and freeze scenes to study suspect reactions and uncover contradictions.
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Motion-Captured Performances: Analyze lifelike suspect testimonies where body language, hesitation, and eye contact are part of the evidence.
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Deep Investigation: Build your own reasoning through sharp observation rather than following a checklist of pre-highlighted items.
Previously praised by Meta players for its immersive detective gameplay and narrative mystery, Detective VR brings its time-bending investigation to new platforms this September as it launches on Steam and PSVR2.
"I truly felt like a real detective." ★★★★★
"If you enjoy story-driven mysteries and piecing together clues, this will hit the mark."
Developed by Studio Chipo y Juan & Valem Studio
Published by VRKiwi
For more information, visit:
www.detective-vr.com
Press-kit: https://vrkiwi.org/press-kit/#detective-vr
Press contact: jonna.ranta@vrkiwi.com
Review keys will be available to content creators and press.To request a key, please fill out this form or reply directly to this email.
Store Pages
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PlayStation Store: https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10016530
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Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3939360/Detective_VR/
About VRKiwi:
VRKiwi is a VR game studio and publisher. Our first VR game Cave Digger, is a mining classic followed by Cave Digger 2: Dig Harder. Since then we’ve also helped port and publish several other great games to different VR platforms including Pirates VR: Jolly Roger, Virtual Hunter, Stilt and Towers & Powers.
About Studio Chipo y Juan:
An independent development studio dedicated to crafting narrative-driven, innovative experiences that bridge the gap between player and world.