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

There’s something undeniably special about the Indiana Jones series. It’s beyond just the surface-level aspects like the plot, the captivating hero, or its memorable music. It’s about how it was shot, the intricate details in the choreography, and the overall tone that the films encapsulate. These intangible elements are what have made Indiana Jones endure through the years and become a cherished series. Reproducing that magic into a video game is no small feat.

For MachineGames, the creators behind Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, this was an extra layer of complexity. They were tasked not only with crafting a game that feels fresh and engaging for contemporary audiences but also one that evokes the same wonder and nostalgia as the films. It’s a balancing act of making a video game that visually and tonally echoes the movies it honors.

Discussing this with the developers at MachineGames reveals their intriguing process. They combined state-of-the-art gaming technology with age-old cinematic techniques to hit that sweet spot they’ve been targeting.

A telling example of this intricate thought process is embodied in a seemingly minor scene that captures the essence of blending humor and action.

Take, for instance, the famous scene from ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’. You know the one: Indiana faces off with an intimidating swordsman, who flaunts his weapon with finesse. Just as you think a thrilling fight is imminent, Indy simply pulls out a revolver and dispenses with the foe in a single shot. It’s a brilliant piece of humor that flips our expectations. This tongue-in-cheek moment naturally doesn’t seem fit for a video game setting—which typically demands intricate battles and health bars—but it transformed into a guiding principle for the team.

“That scene is just a brilliant example of the kind of humor you find in the classic Indy films,” states Axel Torvenius, Creative Director. “We’ve worked hard to integrate that comedic style into our game. It’s just as important as the action and story.”

Widely, this insight speaks volumes about MachineGames’ entire approach. They’ve gone above and beyond to capture the essence of the films, even when elements don’t seamlessly translate into the gaming world. But, trust me, this just scratches the surface.

One of the foundational goals was to nail the visual feel of 1980s cinema, right from the start. Axel Torvenius remarks, “Staying true to those visual roots was critical. Our aim was never to reinvent Indiana Jones but to make sure our game is stylistically kin to the original films.”

Their commitment went deep. The team meticulously studied the original films, looking not just at tone and narrative but also technical aspects—color palettes, film stocks, sound recording techniques, and even the stunt techniques. The challenge then was to modernize those classic techniques within the video game medium.

Among the stories shared, Torvenius highlighted one about how they learned from old movie sets. “In game design, players can roam, breaking the scene’s composition. However, there are key locales in our game from which players should experience the scenery as intended, so we focused on enhancing these visual storytelling moments.”

For controlled scenes, like game cutscenes, they took an even deeper dive: “We brought in an actual Director of Photography for our cinematic filming in the motion capture studio,” Torvenius explains. “Kyle Klütz was instrumental in capturing the dynamic cinematics, essentially recreating the look and feel of the early Indiana Jones films through our game’s lens.”

Naturally, audio plays a crucial role in wrapping up this nostalgic package. From John Williams’ timeless score to the nostalgic sound effects and, of course, that staple Wilhelm Scream—all these elements were critically considered.

“The initial task was pinpointing the core elements that defined the Indiana Jones soundscape,” explains Pete Ward, Audio Director. “We rewatched every film as a team, identifying what was essential: Indy’s voice, the score, and notable effects like the whip and revolver.”

Ward’s team even went back to the roots, doing hundreds of hours of original sound recordings using authentic props to capture that vintage essence.

And the soundtrack? They didn’t just mimic John Williams. Instead, they enlisted Gordy Haab, who’s garnered accolades for his work on Star Wars games, to create something that pays homage while adding a fresh musical narrative to their story.

But crafting new music in such an iconic narrative is tricky—it could easily clash with the well-known notes of Williams’ work. To prevent this, MachineGames took inspiration by recording in Abbey Road, where the original was recorded. Some musicians who played in the original sessions even returned, drawing a unique bridge from past to present.

Creating a narrative that fits snugly within the Indiana Jones universe yet stands alone was a significant endeavor. Lead Narrative Designer, Tommy Tordsson Björk, wanted a fresh story that fits right in between ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and ‘The Last Crusade’. This required digging into Indy’s lore amidst films, comics, and games while aligning it with the 1930s’ historical context.

“Our priority was maintaining the integrity of Indiana’s world while threading a new tale through it,” Björk explains. “We’ve built on an extensive history with established franchises to guide our new journey with Indy.”

Translating the cinematic thrill of Indiana Jones into a playable narrative is possibly the biggest challenge. MachineGames doubled down on realism, including capturing thrilling stunts in motion capture studios.

“We pushed the boundaries with motion capture and stunts. We’ve captured an array of impressive scenes, even using a high-ceiling studio to accommodate our ambitious stunt performances,” reflects Torvenius.

Combat is another area where accuracy was prioritized. “The combat had to feel rewarding but straightforward,” Torvenius shares, focusing on Indy’s iconic punches and dynamic combat sounds.

MachineGames left no stone unturned, from how players interact with puzzles to how Indy’s humor permeates every scene and skirmish. Their meticulous attention transformed even the smallest game elements into entertaining experiences.

As we circle back to that iconic scene—where Indy’s resourcefulness turns a seemingly intense showdown into a punchline—it highlights just how thoughtful the game’s development has been. For MachineGames, ensuring the game marries the spirit of those cherished films with the capabilities of modern gaming was paramount, and they’ve achieved just that.

Mark your calendar: Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is releasing on December 9 for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, and it includes a special treat for those who get the Premium and Collector Editions, offering early access from December 6.