Art Direction of Bungie’s New Marathon Game Causes Controversy
As we reported yesterday, the bold art direction for Bungie’s new Marathon game is causing some controversy. The vibrant palette and glitchy UI design influences are dividing opinion among fans.
What’s Behind the Art Style?
Art director Joseph Cross has already explained his approach in a social media post, where he described the new Marathon art style as "Graphic Realism". In a post on X written back in 2023 during development of the game, Joseph says of the style: "On one side, it’s about a simplified/deconstructed universal design language, strong graphic design and color statements, and limited materials. The other side is about realistic proportions & scale, implied functional & detail, and a generally grounded world."
"We’re focused on creating visual ‘brand’ of science fiction, that (hopefully) feels fresh and stands the test of time," he adds.
Influences and Inspiration
Joseph cites influences like Metal Gear Solid 2 and the hugely influential Wipeout alongside more recent titles Death Stranding, God of War and The Last of Us. He also name checks Mirrors Edge, Aeon Flux, Ghost in the Shell, Otomo, Koji Morimoto, The Designers Republic, Chris Cunningham as part of the "stew".
Other Inspirations
The work of Alberto Mielgo and the affect Into The Spiderverse had on Blockbuster animation has given us a ton of strength and confidence to take more visual & creative risks. There are also a ton of influences outside of games. Product and apparel design, photography, science, conceptual art, cinematography, sports like Formula 1 and MotoGp etc. are all big sources of inspiration.
Gameplay Trailer and Release Information
A Marathon gameplay trailer will be released on Saturday 12 April at 10am Pacific time. There’s no news yet on the possible release date or price. The game will be released for PlayStation, XBox and Windows but not Mac this time around.
Conclusion
The art direction of Bungie’s new Marathon game is a bold and innovative approach that is sure to spark debate among fans. With its vibrant palette and glitchy UI design influences, the game is shaping up to be a unique and exciting experience.
FAQs
Q: What is the art style of Bungie’s new Marathon game?
A: The art style is described as "Graphic Realism" and combines elements of futuristic and sci-fi design with a focus on realistic proportions and scale.
Q: What influences did the art director draw from?
A: The art director drew inspiration from games like Metal Gear Solid 2, Wipeout, Death Stranding, God of War, and The Last of Us, as well as movies, TV shows, and other forms of media.
Q: When will the gameplay trailer be released?
A: The gameplay trailer will be released on Saturday 12 April at 10am Pacific time.
Q: Will the game be released on Mac?
A: No, the game will not be released on Mac this time around.
