The world of "Assassin's Creed Shadows" should not only appear lively, but also be told in a captivating way. Narrative concept art, which is far more than just atmospheric drawings, plays a decisive role in this. It is a creative tool that helps the story team to visually plan and perfect key moments.
From sketch to scene: the creative process
Concept art is used to define the look, feel and mood of key scenes in the story. The process begins with the story team capturing how a particular moment should be told. A concept artist then takes this idea and creates an initial visual interpretation using color, contrast, lighting and perspective. Then the design team comes into play: it considers how this moment can best be implemented in the game environment. Based on these visual concepts, the story team can further refine the scene to evoke even stronger emotional reactions.
Luc Plante, Quest Director of the game, describes this process as highly collaborative: "We inspire each other to expand our way of thinking about important scenes." This back and forth between storytelling and design makes for a gripping and visually impressive narrative.
Conceptual art as the backbone of the production
The significance of concept art extends far beyond the design of individual scenes. The art team at Ubisoft worked closely with the storytelling team to create the look and of the protagonists Naoe and Yasuke as well as all the main characters and bosses. In addition to the characters, enemy archetypes and NPCs such as farmers, merchants, fishermen and townspeople have also been visually designed. These details create the authentic atmosphere of feudal Japan.
But it's not just physical designs that benefit from concept art. The narrative itself is also significantly influenced: artists use lighting, color and perspective to enhance moods and emotions. Thierry Dansereau, Art Director of the game, emphasizes the importance of this visual support: "Narrative concept art encourages thematic development and provides important visual reference points for our storytellers."
Storyboards: The first step towards staging
Another key tool is storyboards, which are sketched panels that depict the "big moments" of a scene. They enable the story and level design team to determine the pace of a sequence and refine the visual language of a moment. Particularly important panels are converted into elaborate concept drawings to further intensify the atmosphere.
Storyboards not only help with scene structuring, but also with coordination between the different departments. This visual blueprint allows the designers to ensure that each scene is seamlessly embedded in the overall story.
The narrative concept art of "Assassin's Creed Shadows" is far more than just a visual gimmick. It is an essential element of the storytelling and provides a deeper immersion. The close collaboration between artists, authors and designers creates a visual language that not only impresses, but also brings the story to life. Ubisoft proves once again that the combination of art and narrative is the key to an unforgettable gaming experience.
"Assassin's Creed Shadows" will be released on March 20, 2025.
Assassin's Creed Shadows - Limited Edition
Additional content: The quest "A Dog's Life" (from release), the upcoming expansion "The Claws of Awaji" (at a later date), the download code for the additional content can be found on a flyer in the game box
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