Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Reviving ’80s Cinema Magic in a 2024 Game

Indiana Jones has always been more than just a collection of stories, an iconic hero, or even its memorable music. It’s the indefinable essence woven through its filmmaking, choreography, and overall feel that has made the series so loved and enduring. This is what makes translating that magic into a video game such a formidable challenge.

That’s exactly what Indiana Jones and the Great Circle set out to tackle. The team at MachineGames was tasked with creating a spectacular, contemporary game that echoes the iconic movies’ charm. It’s a balancing act—crafting a game that’s exciting on its own while staying true to the spirit and style of its film predecessors.

In chatting with various developers at MachineGames, it’s intriguing to learn how they combined modern game design with classic filmmaking techniques, all to hit that perfect sweet spot they’ve been aiming for.

Take, for example, a seemingly simple scene from ‘Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.’ It’s a moment cinema buffs adore—a crowd splits, revealing a menacing swordsman. With a cocky twirl and a dark chuckle, he readies his sword to duel, but Indiana simply shoots him without a second thought, turning a potential battle into a punchline. It’s classic Indy humor, and not something you’d expect to work in a video game setting.

Creative Director Axel Torvenius explains that they’ve drawn inspiration from that kind of humor. While creating varied, engaging combat scenarios was crucial, injecting them with the characteristic Indy wit was equally important.

Across all areas, MachineGames went that extra mile to infuse the game with the films’ magic, even when the fit wasn’t obvious. And as we delve deeper into their process, it becomes clear that this is just scratching the surface of their endeavors.

Torvenius reveals, “From the outset, we aimed to recreate the look and feel of ’80s cinema. Reinvention wasn’t on the agenda; rather, we wanted to nail the authentic style close to ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’.”

The team’s attention to detail went deep. They dissected not just the films’ tone and writing but also their technical specifics: color palettes, film grading, the type of film stock, and even the original sound effects. It meant taking those vintage techniques and adapting them for a modern video game context.

Some insights are truly fascinating. For instance, creating game locations by studying how original film sets were designed. “In games, players can often break composition by exploring freely. But in many instances, we identified locations where we know the player’s path, allowing us to design specific scenes with an intended feel.”

For cutscenes, they took it a step further with a Director of Photography overseeing cinematic motion capture sessions, ensuring the camera work echoed those early movies.

Of course, sound is another essential element of the Indiana Jones experience. From John Williams’ unforgettable scores to the distinctive sound effects, they all contribute to that nostalgic soundscape. Audio Director Pete Ward and his team worked diligently to replicate the specific audio characteristics, incorporating everything from Indy’s voice likeness to the signature whip crack.

This pursuit even saw them return to original sound production methods. They meticulously recorded new sounds, like the noise of Indy’s gear, and explored practical effects that carried an authentic old-school vibe.

When it came to the score, the team didn’t settle for simple mimicry. Instead, they enlisted composer Gordy Haab, well-versed in channeling John Williams’ style while crafting new musical narratives that fit seamlessly into the Indiana Jones universe. They even recorded at Abbey Road studios, where the orchestra featured musicians who had worked on the original films.

Developing a fitting story for Indiana Jones was another formidable task, especially one that sits between ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and ‘The Last Crusade’. Lead Narrative Designer Tommy Tordsson Björk took deep dives into 1930s history and cross-referenced the series’ rich lore to shape an adventure that resonates with both Indy fans and the broader historical backdrop.

MachineGames has a history of revamping franchises, and their approach remains true to capturing the essence of what made the originals so beloved. They aim to carve new paths that echo the original tone and spirit, guided by letting the iconic character define the story and gameplay direction.

Finally, crafting a video game that captures the essence of a linear film experience necessitates thoughtful design. Motion capture played a huge role, with elaborate stunts filmed to bring the action alive in an interactive medium.

Torvenius elaborates, “We’ve done extensive motion capture for this game, including challenging stunts filmed in a high-ceiling studio to capture epic action moments. Our talented stunt professionals, combined with precise audio work, recreate the film’s action beats authentically.”

Even the smallest details, like a simple punch, were carefully considered to deliver that cinematic intensity. Gameplay needed to be accessible yet challenging, with robust response feedback, rewarding animations, and most importantly — the humor. Gameplay effectively incorporates Indy’s wit, mirroring the films’ iconic humor in every punch and puzzle.

MachineGames has meticulously pieced together a game that pays homage to Indiana Jones’ cinematic legacy while standing independently as an engaging gaming experience. From its storytelling to sound design, this game promises an adventure that feels right at home in the Indiana Jones universe.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is launching on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC (with Game Pass), or Steam on December 9. If you opt for the Premium and Collector’s Editions, you get up to 3 days of early access starting December 6.