GDC 2025 Session Viewer

Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure employs a unique presentation format, with large comic panels hovering in parallax depth behind the play field. How did this come about? As an invention of necessity, after a dalliance with 2.5-D and subsequent retreat had left art direction bereft and adrift. In this talk, David will explain how crisis spurred him to invent a new presentation mode that greatly lowered the spec for art production, greatly increased novelty, opened new storytelling avenues, and solidified the game's visual identity. He'll explain how breaking conventions (for example, common expectations for depicting physical space in a game) also required the careful creation of new conventions, so this strange new format would appear coherent to players. In short, it's a tale of art director as Arranger: throwing the old order into chaos with an abiding faith that a new, better world is possible.

Takeaway

Though a highly specific account, I'll also derive relatable generalizations. Listeners should come away inspired to find unconventional solutions in their own work. Originality becomes an even more beneficial virtue under threat of automation.

Intended Audience

This should be a great talk for art directors, indie artists, anyone with the weight of the world on their shoulders, anyone interested in lateral thinking and problem solving on multiple fronts (production/schedule and expressive) at the same time by unconventional means.