At the Develop Conference in Brighton, MachineGames' Design Director Jens Andersson and Audio Director Pete Ward shared with attendees how the Swedish studio approached the creation of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, the widely praised revival of the adventuring archaeologist in video games.
Their presentation offered numerous insights into the pressures of the game's development, how it all coalesced relatively late in the process (as is typical in game development), and the audio challenges that created significant complications. What truly stood out, however, was the immense dedication the developers showed in recreating the world of Indiana Jones with painstaking authenticity. They meticulously refined every element—from the iconic crack of the whip to the precise appearance of 1930s market stalls—all to cultivate the perfect atmosphere for the game.
Their efforts paid off, earning substantial acclaim from both critics and players. IGN's review of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle awarded it a 9/10. We described it as: "An irresistible and immersive global treasure hunt, and by far the best Indy story this century. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle doesn't belong in a museum—it belongs on your hard drive, where you can enjoy it to the fullest."
With DLC on the horizon and speculation about a potential sequel—hinted at by The Great Circle's ending—the future looks promising. It was with this context that IGN met with Andersson and Ward at Develop to discuss their talk further, delve into the major changes implemented in the final year of development, and ask a few forward-looking questions.
