What inspires game developers, what game developers play, what game developers read, and recommendations for game artists from Potion Craft creator Evgeny Morozov

Contents:

• The History of Color Series
• The Suffering Middle Ages: Public Page, Books, Podcasts, Board Game
• Knights and Bikes
• There's No End to Wonders
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance
• Cartoons by Cartoon Saloon
• A Plague Tale: Innocence
• Gris
• Laurel
• Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth
• The Canterbury Tales
• Tsioque
• The Saga of Raynewan
• Amanita Games Design
• "Baudolino"
• Carto

Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator, a game about a medieval alchemist, recently entered Early Access on Steam and quickly gained popularity, reaching the top of the sales charts. We've already discussed the project's development, medieval memes, and animation challenges with artist Evgeny Morozov. Now we invite you to explore books, video games, and films that will help you gain a deeper understanding of the Middle Ages and delight you with their visual style. Below are some recommendations from Evgeniy Morozov.

The artist of the St. Petersburg studio Niceplay Games, who is one of the developers of the game Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator, makes a significant contribution to the creation of a unique gaming experience. This alchemy-themed game allows players to immerse themselves in a world of potion-making and interaction with various characters. The artist's work plays a key role in the visual design of the game, creating an atmosphere and attracting the attention of users.

The History of Color Series

The "History of Color" series by French historian Michel Pastoureau includes five parts devoted to the colors red, green, blue, black, and yellow. In each work, the author explores the evolution of color perception from antiquity to the present day. Historical context, as well as the social and cultural characteristics of different peoples, states, and cities, significantly influenced how people perceived and interpreted colors. Pastoureau's books offer an in-depth analysis of how colors shaped identity and art in different eras, making them an important source for the study of cultural and art history.

The combination of red and green in modern design is perceived as too contrasting, while our medieval ancestors might have condemned the combination of rich blue and light blue. Studying this series, I realized that color rules are not strict and immutable norms. The perception of color is constantly changing, and it is important for artists to take this dynamic into account in order to feel free in their work and, if necessary, experiment with breaking traditional color rules.

"The Suffering Middle Ages": public page, books, podcasts, board game

Medieval aesthetics offer a unique universe of marginalia, allowing everyone to find their own way to connect with this era. There are many ways to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages: you can browse memes, delve into books, enjoy the sounds of music during a walk, or gather friends for a board game. Each of these methods provides an opportunity to better understand the culture and art of the time, creating a fascinating and educational pastime.

Knights and Bikes

Knights and Bikes — This is an underrated game that deserves more attention. In it, two girls explore an island on bicycles and fight with swords. This game evokes nostalgic memories of childhood, full of bright moments and adventures. Every twist and turn in the world of childhood holds new discoveries and emotions. Knights and Bikes masterfully captures this feeling, and also has a unique art style that makes it visually appealing.

"There is no end to miracles"

The novel offers a unique perspective on the Middle Ages through the lens of a deceased hero's experiences. Although the plot may seem nonlinear, the book immerses the reader in the perception of a medieval person for whom the world around them is full of mysteries and wonders. This work helps us understand how people of that time perceived reality, imbuing it with magic and symbolism. While reading, you will be able to feel the atmosphere of the era, where every event is perceived as magic, and every moment is filled with mystery.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance

The game Kingdom Come: Deliverance, developed by the Czech studio Warhorse under the direction of Daniel Vávra, creator of the original Mafia, had a significant influence on the Potion Craft team. We are grateful for Henry's adventures, which served as inspiration for our visual and gameplay decisions. Medieval Bohemia is full of exciting quests and fascinating exploration, and you can spend hundreds of hours immersed in the atmosphere of that time.

Cartoons from Cartoon Saloon

"The Secret of Kells" had a significant influence on my artistic style. "Song of the Sea" and "The Legend of the Wolves" gained immense popularity thanks to their hand-animated style and their careful attention to Irish folklore and its centuries-old traditions. Fun fact: "Song of the Sea" inspired me to study Irish, and I even wrote to the animation director, Tomm Moore. He answered my letter!

A Plague Tale: Innocence

A Plague Tale offers a unique immersion into a medieval atmosphere. Despite its relative shortness, it's filled with detail: every tapestry and piece of clothing is crafted with a high level of historical accuracy. While playing, I took numerous screenshots of the alchemy lab, which I later used as reference for Potion Craft. This game is an excellent choice for anyone who appreciates atmospheric stories and attention to detail in gameplay.

Gris

The game Gris impresses with its beauty: Fine art, masterful use of watercolors, and fluid animation. These visual elements are harmoniously integrated into both the gameplay and the story. The central character of the story is a young woman who has suffered a profound loss. With the player's help, she strives to restore the shattered world by bringing color and movement to it, and ultimately finds the strength to continue living. This emotional journey is not only captivating, but also leaves a deep imprint on the soul of everyone who decides to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the game.

«Laurus»