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

Indiana Jones possesses a certain magic, a blend of storytelling, heroic moments, and iconic music. But there’s something more elusive: the way the films capture their scenes, the choreography, and the overall vibe. These are the qualities that have cemented Indy’s place in our hearts, and replicating this in a video game isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

MachineGames faced this formidable task while developing “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.” Not only did they need to create a game that’s both fantastic and modern, but they also had to embed the spirit of the iconic films. It’s a balancing act — crafting a compelling game that mirrors the essence of those unforgettable cinematic experiences.

Speaking with various developers over at MachineGames, it’s intriguing to uncover how they blended traditional filmmaking tricks with cutting-edge game design, all with the aim of hitting that perfect nostalgic sweet spot.

One standout scene that shows the depth of thought might seem quite simple. Remember that iconic moment from ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’? You know, the crowd parts, and there’s Indy, facing a fearsome swordsman, who spins his scimitar expertly. And just when you expect an intense sword fight, Indy shoots him. It’s an unexpected laugh-out-loud moment.

Now, try fitting that into a video game. That would normally kick off a major boss battle, but here’s the twist: it’s actually part of the solution, not the problem.

“That scene captures the timeless Indy humor so perfectly,” comments Axel Torvenius, Creative Director. “We drew from that style of humor. We wanted varied, exciting combat, yes, but we made it just as critical to weave in that signature Indy humor.”

When you pull back, you see MachineGames’ dedication in full view: every aspect is lovingly crafted to echo the films, even if video games don’t naturally lend themselves to such a transformation. This is merely scratching the surface of their deep dive.

“From the start, staying true to the classic ’80s film look was crucial,” Torvenius points out. “We didn’t want to reinvent Indiana Jones, we aimed to capture the visual magic of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark.’”

It’s astonishing just how much detail they explored. The team delved into the old movies, studying everything from the color schemes to the kind of film stock used. They even checked out sound effects and stunt work, all to translate these into a modern gaming context.

Some tales from this journey are incredible. Torvenius explains how they used old film set techniques to shape game locations:

“In games, players can often go where they’re not ‘supposed’ to—like peeking backstage. Our challenge was to create spaces where players would naturally follow the paths we crafted, so we focused on building these heightened environments.”

For cutscenes, they took it up a notch: “We had a Director of Photography working with us in the motion capture studio to ensure the camera work was spot on,” adds Torvenius. “Kyle Klütz, our accomplished DP, helped recreate the kinetic camera moves of early Indy films, providing a strong foundation for the game’s cinematic shots.”

Sound design wasn’t left out either. From John Williams’ score to the sound effects synonymous with Indiana Jones—the whip snap, the revolver’s crack, and yes, even the Wilhelm Scream—it had to all fit seamlessly into the game.

“Capturing Indy’s sound was our critical first step,” reveals Pete Ward, Audio Director. “From Indy’s voice to iconic sound effects, we needed it to evoke a cinematic experience. We meticulously reviewed the movies to ensure those essential elements felt authentic in-game too.”

Interestingly, some sounds required revisiting decades-old techniques. Creating sounds in an authentic manner meant mimicking the original methods:

“We spent hours recording original sounds, whipping props, bashing leather jackets, and more,” continues Ward. “We even added some vintage vibes like plucking metal springs with contact mics, keeping it authentically old school.”

The music followed a similar thoughtful path. Famed for his work on multiple Star Wars games, composer Gordy Haab gave the game its unique sound. “Gordy got the tone spot on, taking inspiration from John Williams but crafting new themes when needed,” Ward exults. “We blended classic themes with new ones so seamlessly he even recorded at Abbey Road, discovering halfway through that some original session musicians from ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ were playing for us.”

All these elements support a new story that bridges ‘Raiders’ and ‘The Last Crusade.’ Lead Narrative Designer, Tommy Tordsson Björk, delves into rich lore and rigorous research to craft something new yet authentically Indy:

“Indy’s world is vast, full of lore from films, comics, even older games,” explains Björk. “Our connection with Lucasfilm Games made immersing players in this world and introducing new stories much easier.”

Their dedication to authenticity extends right down to era-specific details, like slang and spelling native to the 1930s. But it’s not just about replicating history—MachineGames infuses their work with an Indiana Jones spirit that is both true and fresh.

Finally, the transition from screen to controller was made with careful thought. How do you transform a cinematic, tightly-edited movie into a game without losing its essence?

“We leaned heavily on real-life performances for authenticity,” Torvenius shares. “We captured the most motion and stunts we ever have for this project. Working with talented stunt professionals, we pulled off some seriously impressive action scenes—truly capturing what makes Indy an action hero.”

Even down to the simpler mechanics, like the punch of a fist, each element was layered with purpose:

“Making combat feel swashbuckling yet rewarding was a huge focus. The connection between visual cues—like spraying sweat—and audio has to hit that nostalgic note perfectly.”

Throughout “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,” the team’s dedication shines. From environmental details to comical combat, they’ve created a love letter to the Indy franchise while exploring new terrain.

“All that carried over into developing the game’s iconic humor. From the environmental storytelling to the punchy dialogue, humor is essential throughout,” Torvenius details. “When blended just right, it should bring a smile, reminiscent of the Indy spirit.”

And in the setting of their new game, a simple fight scene with a swordsman is masterfully recast, reminding players why Indy’s adventures have always felt like home.

“Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” rolls out on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC (with Game Pass), as well as Steam, on December 9. Choose the Premium or Collector’s Editions for three days of early access beginning December 6!