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The definitive illustrated history of the cult videogame--a heart-thumping fusion of groundbreaking graphic design, architectural futurism, electronic music, and high-speed racing.
About the author
Duncan Harris is a gaming journalist, artist and author. His website DeadEndThrills offers in-depth features on gaming art and presents a regularly updated collection of breathtaking gaming 'photographs'. Michael C. Place (build), graphics legend and former Designers Republic creative who designed the original Wipeout branding.
Summary
An illustrated history of cult video game franchise Wipeout – a unique fusion of cutting-edge graphic design, architectural futurism, electronic music and high-speed racing that has sold over 1.5 million copies to date.
Ever since its debut in 1995, Wipeout has meant more than just hip, hyperspeed racing. As a vehicle for art, the franchise was defined by cutting-edge ‘club land’ branding and typography from cult Sheffield agency The Designers Republic. Emblematic of PlayStation, Wipeout was futuristic and inclusive, moving games into a cultural fast lane.
This book chronicles Wipeout’s vision, struggles and achievements from first conception to future plans, in a unique union of groundbreaking graphic design and artwork. The extraordinary concept art created for the game imagines the planets and cities of a zero-G-racing-fuelled society, while the era-defining graphics and typography by The Designers Republic present an alternative design future, rich with sci-fi iconography. Produced specially for the book will be a stunning collection of in-game images, rendered in exceptional detail and resolution by author and screenshot artist Duncan Harris (DeadEndThrills).
In the two decades since its release, Wipeout has gained cult status in the worlds of both gaming and graphic design. This in-depth account of the game’s development is an essential publication for aficionados and anyone interested in visions of the future.
