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

Indiana Jones has that special something. It’s more than just the gripping stories, the iconic hero, or the unforgettable music. It’s also about how the films were produced, the meticulous choreography, and the overall vibe they create. These intangible elements are what have made the series so revered and timeless, and capturing this in a video game is no small feat.

The team at MachineGames faced quite the challenge with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. They had to craft a highly engaging, modern game while ensuring it oozed the same magic that surrounds the beloved movies. The task was all about finding that delicate balance: making a game that captured the essence and thrill of the films without compromising on gaming experience.

Speaking with various developers from MachineGames, it’s intriguing to learn how they achieved this blend of modern game design and classic filmmaking techniques. Their efforts were entirely focused on hitting that sweet spot between gaming and cinematic authenticity.

A particularly telling example of their thoughtful approach comes from a single scene that might seem minor at first glance.

In ‘Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ there’s a legendary joke. Indy faces a skilled swordsman, showcasing his weapon skill, only for Indy to simply shoot him and move on. What should have been an intense fight scene turns into a classic punchline. It’s classic Indiana Jones.

And interestingly, this type of scene usually doesn’t translate well into video games. Normally, you’d expect a full boss battle filled with complex attack patterns, multiple health bars, and more. But instead of shying away from this challenge, MachineGames turned it into an opportunity.

Creative Director Axel Torvenius remarked, “That scene humor is quintessential to Indiana Jones films. We were inspired by that to ensure our combat was not just rewarding and challenging, but had the characteristic Indy humor.”

This extends to the larger approach MachineGames took with the project—going above and beyond to capture that cinematic magic the films have, even when those cinematic moments didn’t naturally fit into gaming.

From the outset, MachineGames wanted to mimic the exact feel and appearance of 1980s cinema. Torvenius elaborates, “We wanted to ensure it was as if we were stepping back into ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark.’ Reinventing that style was never on the agenda; it was all about authenticity.”

The team dove deep into exploring every aspect of the original movies, not just the narrative but technical elements too—be it the color palettes, the film stock, or sound recording methods. They meticulously transformed these techniques from film into something fitting for a video game.

It’s fascinating how Torvenius recounts adapting film set design principles for the game’s virtual locations: “In games, players have the freedom to go ‘backstage,’ so we focused on directing their view and experience and plotted out those cinematic scenes early on.”

And for cutscenes, the team went all-out. They had a Director of Photography working in the motion capture studio to capture true-to-movie cinematics, ensuring the camera work feels like it’s lifted straight out of an Indiana Jones film.

On the sound front, MachineGames knew they needed to perfectly capture the iconic audio elements of the films. As Pete Ward, the Audio Director, explains, “We identified Indy’s voice, the music, the whip, and even the famous Wilhelm Scream as key elements. Repeating sounds wasn’t the goal, but recreating them faithfully using the same old techniques was a journey.”

Ward’s team spent endless hours with props and practical effects, ensuring they captured that vintage sound—like beating up leather jackets with bats just like Ben Burtt did in the original films.

Not stopping at sound effects, they engaged composer Gordy Haab for the score—a seasoned artist known for drawing from John Williams’ style yet bringing something new to the table. Ward describes Haab’s involvement, highlighting their respect for the original music while crafting fresh themes that seamlessly fit into the Indiana Jones universe.

And what’s truly special is their recording process in the same Abbey Road studio, with some session players from the actual Raiders recordings joining in. Such moments added an authentic touch to the project, merging past and present beautifully.

But while sound and visuals allowed MachineGames to mirror the films’ atmosphere, the storyline for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle offered a creative challenge—to deliver an exciting, fresh narrative that bridges ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and ‘The Last Crusade.’

Lead Narrative Designer Tommy Tordsson Björk shared, “Indiana’s lore is vast, and peeling through that history for relevant details was invaluable. Lucasfilm Games was instrumental in guiding our narrative decisions.”

Careful attention to the 1930s setting, ensuring dialogues and settings were true to the era and franchise, was paramount. The team tapped into experience from previous projects, always aiming to honor original works while exploring new narratives.

Björk noted, “Our approach has always been true to what made the originals great, focusing on new storytelling avenues that carry the same essence. Indy guided both the story and gameplay, just as every adventure should.”

And this leads us to translating that movie history into a playable game experience. Capturing the same thrill of an action-packed movie, but in a player-driven adventure, was a unique challenge tackled innovatively through practical stunts and extensive motion capture.

Torvenius adds, “Stunt work, mocap, and capturing action scenes were part of bringing the Indiana ambiance into the game. Initiatives for authentic combat brought the look and feel of those classic movies to life. We also emphasized heartfelt punch impacts to ensure combat was both entertaining and challenging.”

Small details were never overlooked, right down to the satisfying crack of Indy’s signature whip or the cunning puzzles placed throughout the game. The whole project oozed Indy’s humor and brio, using environmental storytelling, in-character VO, and even combat moments to build laughter and authenticity.

All of this culminates back to that memorable swordsman scene. Sure, it’s an unusual fit for a game, but MachineGames has crafted a game where it makes perfect sense. Through extensive research, dedication, and a love for Indiana Jones, they’ve ensured that every aspect of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle feels perfectly placed alongside the cherished movies.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to release on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC (now available on Game Pass) or Steam on December 9. Opting for the Premium or Collector’s Editions will score players an early-access window starting December 6. Keep your calendars marked and your whips ready!