Contextual Research: Child of Light (Ubisoft Montreal, 2014): In Progress...

CONTENT: Synthesizing Mythology into a Unique Game Concept

When using a relatively unknown source of inspiration, how does one ensure that the content still resonates with the target audience?

Child of Light (Ubisoft Montreal, 2014) is a 2-dimensional, role-playing platforming game available across platforms. The content is inspired by fairy tales and the art style is inspired by artists from the Golden Age of Illustration in Europe, such as Arthur Rackham.

Screenshot from Child of Light (Ubisoft Montreal, 2014)
Ubisoft Montreal (2014) Child of Light Screenshot: House. Available at: http://childoflight.ubi.com/ (Accessed: 20 August 2014).

The Alchemist by Edmund Dulac: Child of Light's art style was influenced by Golden Age Illustrators from Europe
Dulac, E. (1911) The Alchemist [Illustration: watercolour]. Available at: http://biblioklept.org/2013/12/02/the-alchemist-edmund-dulac/ (Accessed: 20 August 2014).

The developers of Child of Light do not specify whether the narrative content is inspired by fairy tales of a specific location. The Golden Age aesthetic makes it appear to be based mainly upon classical European fairy tales. However, on analysis the field of inspiration appears to be much wider.

Óengus is one of the characters that the protagonist, Aurora meets during her adventure. The name Óengus is taken from the Celtic God of Love. However, the design of the character resembles a mythical character of Japanese origin.

Óengus concept art: inspired by a synthesis of Celtic and Japanese Mythology
Meirinho, S. (2014) Óengus [Concept art: digital]. Available at: hhttps://www.behance.net/gallery/16524339/CHILD-OF-LIGHT-VIDEO-GAME-WORLD-CHARACTERS-DESIGN (Accessed: 21 August 2014).

A possible influence for Óengus (Meirinho, 2014) could have been the Namahage, an example of which can be seen in Yuko's illustration (2009). Another similarity can be seen between Óengus (Meirinho, 2014) and San from Princess Mononoke (Miyazaki, 1997).

Namahage, a Japanese mythical creature.
A possible influence for the design of Óengus (Meirinho, 2014)
Shimizo, Y. (2009) Namahage [Editorial illustration: ink on paper & digital colour]. Available at: http://yukoart.com/work/discovery-channel-yokai-feature/#6 (Accessed: 21 August 2014).

San from Princess Mononoke (Miyazaki, 1997).
A possible influence for the design of Óengus (Meirinho, 2014)
Princess Mononoke (1997) Direct by Hayao Miyazaki [Film]. Japan: Toho Company.

urRu concept art by Brian Froud
Froud, B. (1981) urRu concept art by Brian Froud [watercolour]. Available at: http://www.darkcrystal.com/encyclopedia_urru.php (Accessed: 22 August 2014).

Mountain Spirit Guide (San-Shin Dosa 산신도사).
A type of Bhuddhist Art (Taenghwa 탱화). Date and artist unknown.
Unknown Artist (Date unknown) San-Shin Dosa [Painting]. Available at: http://blog.daum.net/sungn/30 (Accessed: 13 June 2014).

Dosa Tiger study