The Watery Design of Clair Obscur: Artistic Freedom and Inspiration

Nicholas Maxson-Francombe, art director on Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, shares his creative process and inspirations behind the game’s unique art direction.

The Move to Unreal Engine 5

The transition to Unreal Engine 5 helped the team achieve realistic character faces, thanks to the power of Metahuman. However, with more games using the same powerful tools and engines, there’s a risk of games looking similar. "Maybe more games are going to be realistic, because it’s kind of became easier to do," says Tom Guillermin, CTO and co-founder of Sandfall.

Steampunk and Victorian Influences

Initially, the team drew inspiration from steampunk and the Victorian era. However, they soon shifted towards a more fantastical approach, incorporating elements of Final Fantasy. "I needed to try to find a mix between something like that and something a bit more modern," Nicholas explains.

Artistic Freedom and Inspiration

Nicholas emphasizes the importance of creative freedom in game development. "I try to look at landscapes that haven’t really been explored before," he says. "Like if you had an underwater level that’s not underwater." He cites Arkane Studios’ Dishonored and Bioshock as influences on the game’s design.

Conclusion

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s unique art direction is a result of the team’s creative freedom and willingness to experiment. The game’s use of Unreal Engine 5 has allowed for realistic character faces, while its fantastical approach sets it apart from other titles. As the game receives positive feedback, it’s clear that the team has achieved their goal of creating something unique.

FAQs

Q: What inspired the art direction of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
A: The team drew inspiration from steampunk and the Victorian era, as well as Final Fantasy and other games.

Q: How did the transition to Unreal Engine 5 affect the game’s design?
A: The new engine allowed for realistic character faces, thanks to Metahuman, but also raised concerns about the homogenization of game styles.

Q: What’s the goal of the game’s art direction?
A: To create something unique and stand out in a sea of similar-looking titles.

Q: How does the game’s design differ from other titles?
A: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 features a fantastical, dream-like quality, with elements like underwater levels that aren’t actually underwater.

Ikea’s Cheeky DM Campaign: A Refreshing Twist on Corporate Audience Engagement

A Late-Night Offer Like No Other

Ikea recently slid into Canadian followers’ DMs with a cheeky "U up?" message, sending waves of excitement and curiosity throughout the marketing world. No, it wasn’t an admin mistakenly sending a risky text, but a crafty new campaign designed to engage potential customers in a unique and playful way.

The Campaign’s Clever Timing

From static billboard advertising to immersive social campaigns, switching things up in the modern marketing world is no easy task. Ikea’s bold and playful new campaign proves that taking risks and subverting expectations can make a big impact, redefining the way we think about marketing.

The campaign, devised by advertising agency Rethink, targeted around 200 Canadian followers between the hours of 10 pm to 5 am, sending them a surprise message with a free mattress offer. The clever timing is what sets this campaign apart, as creative director Robbie Percy explains: "We wanted to engage people exactly when they might be thinking about a better mattress — when they can’t sleep."

A Refreshing Twist on Corporate Audience Engagement

The crafty campaign coincides with a series of minimalist billboards bearing the simple "U up?" message, highlighting the playful and mysterious nature of the campaign. While it’s an unconventional marketing technique, the campaign is a prime example of how simple yet unique concepts can make for a golden viral opportunity, using out-of-the-box ideas to create authentic audience engagement.

Conclusion

Ikea’s cheeky DM campaign is a reminder that taking risks and thinking outside the box can lead to innovative and effective marketing strategies. By capitalizing on the perfect moment, this campaign shows that even the most unexpected approaches can yield impressive results. As the world of marketing continues to evolve, it’s campaigns like this that will shape the future of audience engagement.

FAQs

Q: What was the objective of Ikea’s DM campaign?
A: The objective was to engage potential customers in a unique and playful way, targeting those who might be considering a new mattress.

Q: How many people received the surprise message?
A: Around 200 Canadian followers received the surprise message.

Q: What was the clever timing behind the campaign?
A: The campaign targeted people between 10 pm and 5 am, when they might be thinking about a better mattress due to insomnia.

Q: What was the outcome of the campaign?
A: The campaign resulted in a golden viral opportunity, showcasing the power of unique and out-of-the-box marketing strategies.

What is a Filament Dryer?

Filament dryers have been around for several years now, but many 3D printing groups and communities online will have you believe that wet filament is nothing more than a myth, quick to dismiss any issues occurring from it, and suggest these problems can be solved with simple software and printer tweaks. Let me save you the headache of troubleshooting and skip to the part where you come to terms with needing a way to dry out your filament (some people use an oven – but I wouldn’t recommend this).

These machines usually take the form of a chamber or boxed container to house your material spools, and remove moisture through heat while you print.

Which One Should I Buy?

When looking to buy a filament dryer to accompany your 3D printer, you’ll most likely come across a ton of options from a company called SUNLU. This manufacturer is one of the most trusted on the market and specialises in 3D printing accessories and materials including plastic filament, resin, ultrasonic cleaners, and it makes some of the best 3D pens too.

SUNLU has several filament dryers, from the more compact and circular S2 models (costing as little as $44.99), to the rectangular S4 FilaDryer – and now the newest SUNLU FilaDryer E2 machine is available to preorder at a price of $349.99 / £282.42, and offers professional-grade results, accommodating up to two 1kg spools of material.

SUNLU FilaDryer E2: A Game-Changer?

The E2 filament dryer from SUNLU is said to offer next-generation drying temperatures between 70°C and 110°C (the ACE Pro from Anycubic offers around 40°C in comparison) and has been designed specifically for advanced engineering hygroscopic materials such as Nylon and PC. If these filaments aren’t dried correctly, the trapped moisture can vaporise during your printing process and cause numerous issues like uneven surfaces on your prints.

Another standout feature of the SUNLU FilaDryer E2 is its annealing mode, which I believe is used to cement and stabilise your prints post-processing using heat for that added layer of strength. According to SUNLU, annealing your prints can improve dimensional accuracy, and enhance any mechanical properties. This isn’t something I’m too familiar with, but it sounds like a great added bonus for those seeking durable and rock-solid prints.

Other Options to Consider

For some alternative brands, you should also consider filament dryers from the likes of Creality (the Space Pi filament dryer is compact and affordable) as well as options from eSUN via Amazon for under $50, and there’s also the Polymaker PolyDryer too. Take a look at the deals below for some top filament dryers in your region.

Conclusion

In conclusion, wet filament can cause a range of issues with your 3D printing, from stringing to poor-quality surfaces, fragile models, rough edges, and even bubbles in your prints. However, with a filament dryer, you can ensure that your material is dry and ready for use, resulting in better print quality and fewer headaches. Whether you’re a seasoned 3D printing enthusiast or just starting out, a filament dryer is an investment worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a filament dryer?
A: A filament dryer is a machine that removes moisture from 3D printing filament, ensuring it is dry and ready for use.

Q: Why do I need a filament dryer?
A: Wet filament can cause a range of issues with your 3D printing, including stringing, poor-quality surfaces, fragile models, rough edges, and even bubbles in your prints.

Q: Which filament dryer is best for me?
A: The best filament dryer for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. Consider your 3D printing experience, the type of filament you use, and your desired level of print quality when choosing a filament dryer.

Q: Can I use an oven to dry my filament?
A: No, it’s not recommended to use an oven to dry your filament. This can cause uneven drying, which can lead to poor print quality. Instead, consider a dedicated filament dryer designed specifically for this purpose.

The Art of Wanderstop: A Cosy Game with a Twist

After the acclaim of The Stanley Parable and the polarising response to The Beginner’s Guide, one thing you can be certain of is to expect the unexpected from game developer Davey Wreden’s narrative-based games. You just might not have expected that his next game, Wanderstop, developed under new studio Ivy Road, would be a cosy game about making tea.

Visual Scripting and Cosy Aesthetics

Wanderstop is another example of the visual scripting, or no-code game development. It’s putting more creativity in the hands of artists, like Temi Olujobi, the game’s art director, environment lead, and level designer. "I’ve made tons of games that maybe have ‘cosy’ elements. There might not be a win condition for the game, I’m really just crafting an experience for folks to complete, so there’s no more focus on spending time in the environment rather than competing," Olujobi explains.

The game’s art style is heavily influenced by historical Western art styles, notably impressionist art and art nouveau. "Impressionist art is used for our vegetation, and I think it works for cosy games really well, because it totally evokes a lot of feeling, you can almost feel the colours in the environment and feel the textures of them," Olujobi continues. "Art nouveau is a very decadent and indulgent style of art, making super intricate shapes and silhouettes, all based on natural forms and nature. And I think that also worked for Wanderstop, because the environment is like a character in the game."

Rube Goldberg-Style Tea Making

The centrepiece of Wanderstop is arguably the Rube Goldberg-inspired tea-making contraption that sits at the centre of the shop, simply referred to as the tea machine. It looks wonderfully complex, and quite deliberately so. "Initially, it was one orb, but Davey wanted to make it more elaborate, because that was the main core gameplay that we had at the time," Olujobi explains. "He started iterating on different numbers of orbs to have within the tea-making process. After much testing and feedback from folks on the team, he settled on three orbs, one for mixing, one for heating, and one for pouring."

Story and Ambiguity

Beneath the cosy aesthetic and charming mechanics, it’s all in service of a narrative that’s about a cosy setting that its protagonist Alta doesn’t want to be in. She’s a warrior who only cares about victory in battle, but after running into successive defeats is on her way to train with a master until she finds herself lost in a forest, exhausted and unable to even pick up her own sword. Rather than resting, relaxing, and brewing tea, she’s restless to get back out there. I then can’t help but wonder if there are visual signs that not all is as it seems. If Alta is unable to leave the shop and the forest surrounding it, is it not essentially a prison or purgatory? And what’s with the colour of the sky, which makes the time of day ambiguous?

Olujobi is naturally keen to keep schtum on the story, but not without humouring my theories. "Totally based on perspective, it could be a prison, it could also be sort of like a retreat space, but I think it’s funny that the tea shop that you play in could totally be seen as a panopticon," they tease. "It definitely wasn’t something I was intentionally thinking of, but I totally welcome the analogy!"

Conclusion

Wanderstop releases on 11 March 2025 for PS5 and PC. With its unique blend of visual scripting, cosy aesthetics, and Rube Goldberg-style gameplay, it’s an experience that’s sure to delight. Whether you’re a fan of Davey Wreden’s previous work or just looking for a relaxing game to unwind with, Wanderstop is definitely worth checking out.

FAQs

Q: What is Wanderstop?
A: Wanderstop is a cosy game about making tea, developed by Davey Wreden and published by Ivy Road.

Q: What is the gameplay like?
A: The gameplay is focused on crafting an experience, rather than competing, with a Rube Goldberg-style tea-making contraption at its centre.

Q: Is Wanderstop a relaxing game?
A: Yes, Wanderstop is designed to be a relaxing experience, with a focus on exploration and discovery rather than competition or conflict.

Q: Will Wanderstop be available on multiple platforms?
A: Yes, Wanderstop will be released on PS5 and PC on 11 March 2025.