Lies of P looks fantastic. How did the team approach the game’s high-fidelity graphics and visual style?Round8 Studio:

Creating high-fidelity graphics and the overall visual style for Lies of P was a meticulous and collaborative process that involved various stakeholders. Right from the art concept stage, there was extensive collaboration and discussions between the designer and art teams. We strived to ensure our visuals presented a varying aesthetic that is gory, strange, and beautiful all at the same time.

Since the developers themselves did not live in the 19th century, we conducted thorough research and studied various aspects of the era, including artwork and music. Additionally, we explored other cultures from the same time period to enhance our understanding and expand our creative influences.

Throughout production, we constantly had to consider how to achieve the desired artistic vision while maintaining optimal performance. During the actual development process, the art team worked closely with the planning team, maintaining continuous discussions and feedback loops. Collaboration with the technical team was also vital, as we needed to optimize the implementation to achieve the desired visual quality while ensuring smooth performance.

Can you explain how you designed the fallen city of Krat, both from a visual and gameplay perspective?

Round8 Studio: It was a collective effort from our entire art team to portray how a once beautiful and thriving city fell into a state of decay in such a short period. We wanted to capture the unique atmosphere of Krat, and convey the subtle emotional journey of the P, the game’s protagonist, who is unable to speak, in a way that players could imagine and feel.

From a visual perspective, we employed various techniques to create a captivating and immersive environment. The art team worked diligently to utilize physical lighting techniques and light scattering, resulting in rich and atmospheric lighting throughout the city, even during nighttime. We carefully calibrated the color temperatures of the lights to match the aesthetic of 19th-century gas lamps, prevalent during the period that serves as a backdrop for the game. Additionally, special attention was given to the interaction of environmental lighting with effects, ensuring a cohesive and visually impactful experience.

Source: Unreal Engine Blog