Art Direction
Ongoing coverage on Art Direction.
Latest coverage
Get a good look at Control Resonant's otherworldly bosses in a PC Gaming Show exclusive extended interview
Remedy developers discuss Control Resonant, the upcoming ARPG sequel to Control, in an extended interview. Creative director Mikael Kasurinen and art director Elmeri Raitanen highlight inspirations like M.C. Escher and films such as Paprika, while lead level designer Anne-Marie Grönroos details the game's open-world elements and the unique 'Resonant' bosses. Composer Petri Alanko also explains his innovative approach to the game's soundtrack.
No Man's Sky fan adds Nvidia's DLSS 5 to the game, Hello Games programmer worries the AI filter could ruin its…
A fan has implemented Nvidia's DLSS 5 technology into No Man's Sky, resulting in a visually altered experience that has garnered significant attention. However, Hello Games programmer Martin Griffiths expressed concerns that the AI filter might detract from the game's unique art style, suggesting it's an art direction choice rather than a purely technical one.
"I'm a massive fan of Aliens, but it is a very different beast": Why Creative Assembly are still ignoring every movie but the original in Alien Isolation 2, despite heading planetside
Creative Assembly is focusing Alien: Isolation 2's design solely on the original 1979 film and its own predecessor, deliberately ignoring sequels like Aliens. This approach emphasizes pure horror and disempowerment, with developers Archie Whitehead and Ana Sopikova detailing how they meticulously recreate the original film's aesthetic and technology for an immersive, authentic experience.
James Turner is back with the Pokemon franchise after leaving Game Freak in 2022
James Turner, formerly the art director at Game Freak, has returned to the Pokemon franchise in a new role as Creative Director of Pokemon Art and Design at The Pokemon Company. He previously left Game Freak in 2022 to work on the game The Plucky Squire.
The new head of Pokemon designs made one of 2024's prettiest games
The Pokemon Company International has appointed James Turner, a veteran of the series and co-leader of indie studio All Possible Futures, as the new creative director of Pokemon art and design. Turner previously worked on numerous Pokemon titles, including Pokemon Black and White, and served as art director for Pokemon Sword and Shield. His recent work on The Plucky Squire has been praised for its unique art style.
James Turner now with The Pokemon Company after leaving Game Freak and co-directing The Plucky Squire
James Turner has joined The Pokemon Company as Creative Director of Pokemon Art and Design. Turner previously co-directed The Plucky Squire and was instrumental in designing numerous Pokemon, starting with Pokemon Black and White. He also led the art team for Pokemon Sword and Shield.
Halo Co-Creator Says Lack of PvP in Campaign Evolved is From “Lack of Oversight”, “Poor Planning”
Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto criticized Halo: Campaign Evolved for its lack of split-screen PvP multiplayer, attributing it to "lack of oversight and poor planning." Lehto also expressed dissatisfaction with the game's art direction, particularly the depiction of Forerunner technology, stating it lacks the ancient and mysterious feel of the original. The remake, released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, reportedly sold around 1.2 million copies generating $67 million.
The 'father of Master Chief' doesn't like the new Halo's new halos
Marcus Lehto, the art director for the original Halo: Combat Evolved, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the art style of the upcoming remake, Halo: Campaign Evolved. He criticizes the new halos for appearing too new and shiny, lacking the ancient, worn, and massive feel of the originals. Despite these gripes, Lehto acknowledges enjoying the game's upgrades in movement, cinematics, and visuals.
"The most offensive thing we see every time we boot up the game" Halo co-creator takes shots Campaign Evolved art direction
Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto has criticized the art direction of Halo: Campaign Evolved, specifically the main menu's depiction of the Halo ring. Lehto argues that the Forerunner technology should appear ancient and imposing, rather than shiny and new, stating it's the 'most offensive thing' upon booting the game. He also noted discrepancies with the lore regarding the ring's location in the galaxy.
Halo Co-Creator Criticizes Art Direction of Campaign Evolved’s Forerunner Tech
Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto has criticized the art direction of Halo: Campaign Evolved, specifically its depiction of Forerunner technology. Lehto stated the remake's Forerunner structures look too modern and lack the ancient, mysterious feel of the original. Despite these criticisms, he acknowledged positive aspects like the Covenant and Flood aesthetics and previously praised the game's upgrades and lighting.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse isn't technically connected to the Netflix anime, but its cinematography was…
Konami has confirmed that Castlevania: Belmont's Curse is not directly connected to the Netflix anime series, though its art style and cinematography were intentionally inspired by it. The developers aimed to make the game welcoming to fans of the anime who may not have played previous Castlevania titles.
Assassin’s Creed Creator’s New Game Channels Fine Art And Slasher Cinema
1666: Amsterdam, the new supernatural dark fantasy game from Assassin's Creed creator Patrice Désilets and Panache Digital Games, draws inspiration from Dutch Golden Age art and 1960s slasher cinema. The game's art direction, which aims to replicate the styles of painters like Vermeer, has faced scrutiny due to the use of generative AI in its playable prologue, though the developers have pledged to replace these assets with human-created art before the full release on Steam and Epic Games Store.
Japanese Art: How Expeditions: Samurai Is Bringing Nippon to Life
THQ Nordic and Campfire Cabal released a developer diary for Expeditions: Samurai, detailing the game's artistic vision inspired by Japanese art and culture. The video showcases concept art, character customization, and the use of Unreal Engine 5. The upcoming historical RPG will feature fully customized character models in dialogue and dynamic companion facial expressions, and is set to launch on PC via Early Access this summer.
How many of these games with pixel art styles can you identify?
This article presents a quiz challenging readers to identify 15 games based on their pixel art styles, drawing inspiration from 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit aesthetics. It highlights games like Okami, Disco Elysium, Secret of Mana, Hyper Light Drifter, and Replaced as examples of striking art direction. PC Gamer also offers other trivia quizzes on various gaming topics.
Nintendo Fans Don’t Know What They Want
This article discusses the evolving and often contradictory expectations of Nintendo fans regarding game aesthetics. It highlights historical examples like The Wind Waker and Breath of the Wild, where initial fan reactions to stylistic changes eventually turned positive, contrasting with recent divided responses to more realistic remakes of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Star Fox.
With Guild Wars 3 announced at long last, here's why its beloved predecessor has survived the test of time
ArenaNet has announced Guild Wars 3, prompting a discussion on the enduring success of its predecessor, Guild Wars 2. Game director Joshua Davis attributes Guild Wars 2's longevity to early design decisions prioritizing horizontal progression and respecting player time, allowing players to return without feeling obsolete. The game's strong art direction, which focuses on cohesive visual storytelling over chasing the latest technology, also contributes to its lasting appeal.
Does The Ocarina Of Time Remake Teaser Signal Zelda’s Sanding Down Its Edges?
A teaser for the upcoming remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has raised concerns about Nintendo potentially 'sanding down' the series' unique artistic edges for broader market appeal, especially in light of the upcoming live-action movie. While the remake's visuals are technically impressive, the author worries it lacks the distinct personality seen in previous Zelda titles and may be overly sanitized for mass consumption.
Warhammer legend John Blanche has passed away at 78
Legendary artist and art director John Blanche, whose work defined the visual identity of Warhammer for decades, has passed away at the age of 78. Blanche's dark, gothic, and grim style was foundational to Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40,000, influencing countless artists and developers since he began working with Games Workshop in the late 1970s.
Review – Yoshi & The Mysterious Book – Switch 2 Edition (Switch 2)
Yoshi & The Mysterious Book is a charming puzzle platformer for the Switch 2 that excels in its beautiful oil painting-inspired art style and rewarding exploration. While the narrative is minimal, serving mainly to introduce gameplay mechanics, the core loop of discovering and chronicling creatures is engaging. The game is generally easy, making it suitable for younger players and families, though some minor performance dips in frame rate are noticeable on the Switch 2.
All The Winners From The 2026 Canadian Game Awards
The 2026 Canadian Game Awards celebrated excellence in the Canadian video game industry, with South of Midnight taking home Game of the Year and Best Art Direction. Digital Extremes was awarded Studio of the Year, while Victor Lucas received the Game Changer Award and Femme Gaming won the Community Award.
