{"id":48955,"date":"2026-04-12T22:37:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T22:37:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=48955"},"modified":"2026-04-12T22:37:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T22:37:17","slug":"morbid-metal-developer-explains-why-he-ditched-an-origami-art-direction-in-favor-of-gritty-sci-fi-it-worked-but-it-didnt-really-feel-like-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=48955","title":{"rendered":"Morbid Metal developer explains why he ditched an origami art direction in favor of gritty sci-fi \u2014 &#8216;It worked, but it didn&#8217;t really feel like me&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<hr id=\"elk-05aab8f5-3a94-4b4a-8db2-37deab40b0e2\"\/>\n<ul id=\"elk-d504c624-6360-4223-9717-2e36bc5b6f51\">\n<li><em><strong>Morbid Metal <\/strong><\/em><strong>developer Felix Schade has discussed the inspirations behind his game&#8217;s art direction<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>He originally intended to make an origami-themed game, but pivoted to gritty sci-fi<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>He was also greatly encouraged by <\/strong><em><strong>Bright Memory: Infinite<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr id=\"elk-a59e0ec2-316e-4699-b7de-a0f354e9c8de\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-f2e8cc04-e000-4ba0-b6e8-825879a496b0\"><em>Morbid Metal <\/em>developer Felix Schade has discussed the art direction of the recently launched action game and revealed one of his biggest inspirations.<\/p>\n<p>Schade developed <em>Morbid Metal <\/em>over the course of nine years, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/gaming\/gaming-industry\/a-developer-originally-working-from-his-bedroom-just-launched-a-new-devil-may-cry-inspired-action-game-published-by-ubisoft-i-didnt-really-expect-it-because-i-was-just-kind-of-dabbling-around\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/gaming\/gaming-industry\/a-developer-originally-working-from-his-bedroom-just-launched-a-new-devil-may-cry-inspired-action-game-published-by-ubisoft-i-didnt-really-expect-it-because-i-was-just-kind-of-dabbling-around\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/gaming\/gaming-industry\/a-developer-originally-working-from-his-bedroom-just-launched-a-new-devil-may-cry-inspired-action-game-published-by-ubisoft-i-didnt-really-expect-it-because-i-was-just-kind-of-dabbling-around\">initially working from his bedroom<\/a> and posting clips of his early efforts online. The resulting flurry of social media attention eventually caught the attention of gaming giant Ubisoft, with the company agreeing to publish his title. This gave him the funds to create a now 11-person game studio.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-f2e8cc04-e000-4ba0-b6e8-825879a496b0-2\">The game was recently released in early access and is <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/1866130\/Morbid_Metal\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/store.steampowered.com\/app\/1866130\/Morbid_Metal\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\">available via Steam<\/a>, with a largely positive reception from players so far. In addition to a unique shapeshifting mechanic, it stands out thanks to its gritty sci-fi art direction that looks almost like a cross between <em>Warframe <\/em>and the <em>Shadow Warrior <\/em>series.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"inline-block w-2.5 h-2.5 ml-2\" fill=\"currentColor\" preserveaspectratio=\"xMidYMid meet\" viewbox=\"0 0 1000 1000\"><path d=\"M1000 100L500 900 0 100h1000z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p><em>Morbid Metal <\/em>didn&#8217;t always look this way, however, and, in an interview with TechRadar Gaming, Schade revealed how its art direction has evolved over its lengthy development time. He said his original vision for the game was something origami-themed, &#8220;where you can fold your piece of paper into different origami figurines, each with their own unique skills&#8221; in a bright and colorful world.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;At the beginning, I was just trying to figure out what I could do on my own. This origami setting, it worked, but it didn&#8217;t really feel like me,&#8221; he added. The big change in direction came when he started working on <em>Morbid Metal <\/em>full-time in 2020: &#8220;When I really took it more seriously, it was really important for me that [the game] was something that I could be fully passionate about.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-4ddde5c0-57a5-41cc-9b5a-d49e0e469e9c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1920px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:54.17%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m7K9cKQX6Tp2gv4XRqqm9Y-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m7K9cKQX6Tp2gv4XRqqm9Y-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m7K9cKQX6Tp2gv4XRqqm9Y-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m7K9cKQX6Tp2gv4XRqqm9Y-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m7K9cKQX6Tp2gv4XRqqm9Y-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/m7K9cKQX6Tp2gv4XRqqm9Y-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\"><br \/>\n<\/source><\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption itemprop=\"caption description\" class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\"><em>Bright Memory<\/em> (pictured) released in 2020. <\/span><span class=\"credit\" itemprop=\"copyrightHolder\">(Image credit: FYQD-Studio, PLAYISM)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-3cf7ff94-4ecb-4d3d-89f3-79671f1a35ce\">From a setting and visual perspective, it needed to be something that I really resonate with personally,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;Otherwise, I don&#8217;t think I would have the perseverance to do this for nine years!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He also pinpointed one particular indie game that was a huge source of encouragement. &#8220;At around that time, there was a game called <em>Bright Memory: Infinite<\/em>, also made by a solo dev,&#8221; he recalled.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ptxMR5o364886pTQsdfEoH\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ptxMR5o364886pTQsdfEoH slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\"\/>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;The game really gave me so much inspiration, and the confidence that something visually striking can be done by a very small or solo dev team. He proved it, and I was like, &#8216;okay, I can do this too.'&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Asked why the direction that he settled on appealed, Schade simply said, &#8220;I love it. It&#8217;s just cool.&#8221;<\/p>\n<hr id=\"elk-2eaaafb9-ae07-40e1-b8f6-56ad04a0c3f3\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-59e885be-2134-46a4-b95e-5bd2f271bc82\"><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqKAgKIiJDQklTRXdnTWFnOEtEWFJsWTJoeVlXUmhjaTVqYjIwb0FBUAE?hl=en-GB&amp;gl=GB&amp;ceid=GB%3Aen\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqKAgKIiJDQklTRXdnTWFnOEtEWFJsWTJoeVlXUmhjaTVqYjIwb0FBUAE?hl=en-GB&amp;gl=GB&amp;ceid=GB%3Aen\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\"><u><em><strong>Follow TechRadar on Google News<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/a> and<em> <\/em><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=techradar.com\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=techradar.com\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\"><em><strong>add us as a preferred source <\/strong><\/em><\/a><em>to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>And of course you can also <\/em><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@techradar\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@techradar\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\"><em><strong>follow TechRadar on TikTok<\/strong><\/em><\/a><em> for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on <\/em><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029Va6HybZ9RZAY7pIUK12h\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029Va6HybZ9RZAY7pIUK12h\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\"><em><strong>WhatsApp <\/strong><\/em><\/a><em>too.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techradar.com\/gaming\/gaming-industry\/morbid-metal-developer-explains-why-he-ditched-an-origami-art-direction-in-favor-of-gritty-sci-fi-it-worked-but-it-didnt-really-feel-like-me\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Morbid Metal developer Felix Schade has discussed the inspirations behind his game&#8217;s art direction He originally intended to make an origami-themed game, but pivoted to gritty&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48956,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48955","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=48955"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/48955\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/48956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=48955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=48955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=48955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}