Shanghai Shop destruction
Concept art depicting the destruction of a Shanghai shop during Japanese bombing raids in the ng the destruction of a Shanghai shop during Japanese bombing raids in thelate 1930s. Created to capture the tense, chaotic atmosphere and serve as a mood guide for the environment team.

INDIANA JONES & the great circle

In 2020, while NUEN STUDIO was still based in Sweden, we were invited by Axel Torvenius – Creative Director at MachineGames – to contribute environment concept design for a then-unannounced title inspired by the legendary Indiana Jones franchise. For a lifelong fan of Indiana Jones and Steven Spielberg’s work, joining a AAA project rooted in such an iconic universe was an incredible honor.

Over the next 03 years, our team – a collaboration between artists in Sweden and Vietnam – poured creativity and precision into shaping the world of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. From environments to intricate props, we brought visual storytelling to life in a way that stayed true to Indy’s adventurous spirit.

When the game launched to critical and commercial acclaim, it became a milestone for us – especially knowing that over 60 pieces of NUEN STUDIO artwork were featured in the in-game digital artbook. This project stands as both a proud achievement and a testament to our ability to craft cinematic worlds that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Client: MachineGames Sweden AB
Creative Director: Axel Torvenius
Art Director: Mattias Astenvald
Production Director: John Jennings
Studio Director: Lars Johansson
Lead Producer: Matthias Duclos
Production Coordinator: Louise Spoong
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NUEN STUDIO team
Art Director: Gia Nguyen
Concept Artists: Gia Nguyen, Piotr Kupsc, Vinh Pham

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Indiana Jones © & ™ 2024 Lucasfilm Ltd.
Developed by MachineGames Sweden AB and published by ZeniMax Media Inc.
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Service: Environment Concept Art

“NUEN STUDIO’s concept art consistently exceeded expectations — visually stunning, narratively rich, and incredibly helpful across all departments. From strong initial sketches to final killer images, their work came out perfectly wonderful. As one Senior Level Designer put it: ‘I just wanted to thank whoever did it and say it was awesome.’ NUEN STUDIO’s art didn’t just support our production — it elevated it.”

— Testimonial from MachineGames

Shanghai Under Bombing

A wartime vision of 1930s Shanghai, where elegant historic streets meet the chaos of destruction. Amid smoke and fractured light, enemy planes tear through the sky in a deadly chase with Indy’s aircraft, capturing a city caught between beauty and ruin.

Concept art depicting the destruction of the main Shanghai street during Japanese bombing raids in the late 1930s. Created to capture the tense, chaotic atmosphere and serve as a mood guide for the environment team.

Concept art of a high-stakes aerial chase over Shanghai Harbor and skyline, with Japanese fighter planes in pursuit. Designed to capture the speed, tension, and cinematic scale of the scene.

Egypt Under Occupation

Set against the timeless backdrop of the Giza Pyramids, we designed the architecture of Nazi-built temporary structures in the desert — blending military functionality with the harsh beauty of Egypt’s sands. From excavation pits to fortified interiors and weather-worn exteriors, every detail evoked the tension of an occupied land and the scale of a secretive military operation.

From fortified structures to dig-site interiors to workers’ tents and traditional Egyptian architecture, each scene balanced the stark machinery of war with the enduring rhythms of the desert.

Iraq – The Ziggurat

In the heart of occupied Iraq, we envisioned a massive Nazi excavation around a towering ziggurat, where military camps and heavy machinery scarred the ancient sands. As the dig plunged deeper, long-buried chambers emerged — a forgotten world beneath the earth. It became the perfect playground for Indy, steeped in mystery, danger, and the very essence of his adventures.

Sukhothai Jungle

Deep in the swamps of Sukhothai, we explored life in remote villages — stilted houses over still waters, treehouse dwellings, and weathered temples hidden in the jungle. Against this lush, ancient backdrop, we introduced the harsh lines of military outposts and makeshift fortifications, creating a vivid contrast between timeless architecture, untamed nature, and the intrusion of armed occupation.

Vatican

Amid Italian fascist occupation, we brought Indy into the heart of the Vatican — from the grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica and the quiet elegance of the Vatican Gardens to the press halls and hidden corridors. Beneath it all, we descended into the shadowed necropolis, where sacred history and political intrigue intertwined, amplifying the mystery and danger at the core of Indy’s journey.

Concept art of the Vatican Garden, and Casina Villa at sunset, viewed from an overlooking perspective. The scene features patrolling Blackshirt fascists and stationed trucks amid the serene yet tense setting.

Concept art of a massive zeppelin docked at St. Peter’s Basilica during sunset, serving as the player’s escape route. Two visual approaches were explored: one, a strict side view to showcase the scale and architectural context; the other, a dynamic low-angle perspective for heightened drama and cinematic impact. The latter has been chosen.

Vatican Necropolis

Beneath the Vatican’s splendor lies a shadowed necropolis — narrow tomb-lined corridors where ancient silence meets the unease of secrets long buried.

Concept art of the ancient necropolis hidden beneath the Vatican—a labyrinth of narrow alleys, winding stairs, crypts, and tombs, forming a forgotten city beneath the holy site. Designed to capture the atmosphere of 1937 with no modern elements, the scene packs in hidden corners and shadowy passageways, evoking the mystery and adventure worthy of an Indiana Jones story.

Himalayan Battleship

A Nazi battleship, wrenched from the sea and stranded in the frozen Himalayas — its decks entombed in ice, corridors dark and silent, littered with the frozen remains of its crew. A chilling blend of war relic and supernatural horror.