A new developer behind-the-scenes video discusses the art style and atmosphere in the upcoming The Bureau: XCOM Declassified.
As the setting of the game shifted to America's cultural loss of innocence in the 1960s, and it became more about direct conflict than simple investigation, the art style evolved with it. The game became more realistic and darker, says art director Jeff Weir.
To gather inspiration for the setting, the team looked at classic alien films like The Day the Earth Stood Still and 1990s sci-fi horror TV series The X-Files, says creative director Morgan Gray. X-Files, in particular, became the tonal inspiration for the "out-in-the-woods mysterious vibe in small-town America, confronting something very fantastic and unthinkable," says Weir.
Mad Men was also an influence on the team regarding the style of the era and the detail work on the sets. "We can only hope to get close to that level of authenticity," says Weir.
The Bureau hits Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC on Aug. 20. Check out our hands-on preview here.
