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Writer Annalee Newitz from the sci-fi centric io9 blog recently took a look at some of EVE Online's memorable artwork, by Icelandic concept designer B. Börkur Eiríksson (apparently also known as "Nag" according to The Art of EVE book). Börkur has been the Lead Artist/Illustrator at CCP Games since 2004, imbuing New Eden's futuristic backstory with his very dark, gritty style that really helps set the tone. On Börkur's "Industra" -- a depiction of a gloomy, burn out industrial city -- Newitz writes, "This image of a future city... feels to me like some anachronistic mashup of impressionist art and science fiction. The people in their hats and bonnets look almost nineteenth century..."

io9 has a sampling of Börkur's artwork, but his online gallery -- Björn Börkur Eiríksson: Industrium -- is the prime place to find numerous examples of his work, divided between Concepts/Illustrations and Sketches/Speedpaints. EVE Online fans will recognize much of this artwork, which has been featured alongside fiction appearing in E-ON magazine and the official site's Chronicles over the years. If you're a fan of unidealized depictions of the future -- hell, if you just liked Blade Runner -- you'll probably appreciate the artwork of B. Börkur Eiríksson.

[Via CrazyKinux]

MassivelyEVE illustrator breathes a dark, gritty life into the game's setting originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>annalee-newitzart-of-eveb-borkur-eirikssonbackstoryblade-runnerccpccp-gameseveeve-onlinefuturefuturisticillustrationillustratorindustraindustriumio9io9.comlead-artistlead-illustratornew-edensettingthe-art-of-eveWed, 08 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Why Fantasy, and not Science Fiction, Part Eleventy-Billion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/why-fantasy-and-not-science-fiction-part-eleventy-billion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/why-fantasy-and-not-science-fiction-part-eleventy-billion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/why-fantasy-and-not-science-fiction-part-eleventy-billion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

As my compadre Eli writes here, there is reasoning available that Fantasy MMOs have flourished due to there being a greater preponderance of Fantasy titles, in various media, upon which to draw inspiration to sustain an MMO. The lack of substantive Science Fiction titles of the time, therefore, leads to the correlating dearth of such MMOs. However, this argument only mentions in passing what I think is the more crucial element, which is this:

Fantasy titles are about the Hero's Journey, or the Epic. Science Fiction titles are about exploration of ideas. One of these story types makes for better adaptation to immersive gameplay. Guess which?

Now, I will back up a bit and acknowledge that as a blanket statement, what I said does not (and should not be considered to) cover every Fantasy or Science Fiction title everywhere. Clearly, Star Wars is the most well-known Epic SF story, but then again, Lucas based the plot almost entirely on Joseph Campbell's monomyth, which was itself formulated around the epic myths and stories of history. And perhaps one of the finest Fantasy titles ever written, John Crowley's Little, Big, uses Fantasy tropes to examine the idea of the complexity of human relationships, rather than one character's journey to overcome evil. But having made those concessions, let me make my case.

Continue reading Why Fantasy, and not Science Fiction, Part Eleventy-Billion

MassivelyWhy Fantasy, and not Science Fiction, Part Eleventy-Billion originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blade-runnercyberpunkepiceve-onlineextrapolativefantasygeorge-lucasheros-journeyjohn-crowleyjohnny-mnemonicjoseph-campbelllittle-bigmax-headroommonomythneocron-onlinescience-fictionspace-operastarship-troopersstrange-daystabula-rasathe-matrixthe-terminatorworld-of-warcraftWed, 23 Jan 2008 10:00:00 EST