Brushworm Speaks! - The Art of Blizzard Entertainment

Brushworm Speaks!

The Art of Blizzard Entertainment 

by Nick Carpenter, Samwise Didier, Chris Metzen

****

Acquired: Barnes and Noble Booksellers

Series: Blizzard Entertainment

Publisher: Insight Editions; 1.8.2013 edition (February 12, 2013)

Hardcover: 376 pages

Language: English

****

The Story: An epic volume of art and behind-the-scenes insights, The Art of Blizzard® celebrates the studio’s genesis by examining the creative forces behind these games and showcasing their artistry through more than 700 pieces of concept art, paintings, and sketches. Commentary on the art is provided by Blizzard Entertainment’s own Nick Carpenter, Sam Didier, and Chris Metzen, who’ve each played important roles in shaping Blizzard’s game universes over the years.

The Review: Let us get right down to the grit: This book features artwork from some of the most iconic video game franchises of all time. All of the artwork that is featured is absolutely magnificent.

What Brushworm really likes is the sense of timelessness that is showcased in some of the examples of artwork, most of which was done by Chris Metzen and Samwise Didier. They more closely resemble sketches but that is what lends itself to the aforementioned timelessness. The drawings look like diagrams in an old leather-bound tome found in an aged library. 

Apparently these tend to be examples of older designs but that only serves to increase the aforementioned appeal. It gives World of Warcraft and the others even more of an epic feel which is critical considering they are examples of video game artwork and by extension the quintessential ‘modern’ art form. 

The rest of the artwork is not lacking in magnificence though. These games are known for having such a distinctive style that they can be identified just by a look at them. The exaggerated shoulder pads are one of the more famous (or infamous) examples. The level of detail and color makes the artwork stick in the viewer’s memories in a way that some other games may lack. People may remember the specific work of art but the specific game may escape them. When they see an image like the ones showcased in this book, they know that it is from World of Warcraft. It is that iconic. 

As this book takes its journey from the images of Blizzard’s past, the reader is treated to much more than a gallery of incredible artwork. Throughout the book are paragraphs and snippets of commentary by the book’s designers. 

History and Lore of the game world can be amazing on its own but seeing into the minds of the people who aided in its creation all those years ago can be equally amazing as well. For many, the names in the credits are just that…names. Who they really are and what they are connected to. Even though its hardly a biography of Chris Metzen (a good idea though!) these little voices aids in making World of Warcraft, Starcraft, and Diablo feel more real. Not just in the realm of fiction but in the realm of reality as well. 

There is no artwork featuring the game Overwatch, another acclaimed property of Blizzard Entertainment. That is to be expected though, as this book was released several years before the premier of Overwatch. Hopefully, this will inspire the publishers to release another volume of this book: The Updated and Expanded Edition! 

Some readers may take umbrage with the fact that this book is by and large dominated by artwork featuring the World of Warcraft franchise. Brushworm would go as far to say that is to be expected. World of Warcraft is Blizzard Entertainment’s flagship franchises and if Brushworm would be so bold: A flagship property of video gaming in general! Almost Everyone has heard of it, if not played it. It makes sense that Orcs and Night Elves would take up the majority of this book. Fans of Diablo and Starcraft should not despair though, there plenty of their artwork to sate their appetites. 

For now at least. 

Brushworm personally finds the “Western in Space” motif found among the art of Starcraft to be very appealing. Brushworm wants more!

Final Verdict: Blizzard Entertainment is one of the titans of the Video Game World and its games  are some of the most iconic franchise ever created. This book offers us a glimpse into this world in one of the most stunning ways possible. This huge book would be the perfect addition to any huge fan of Warcraft and Blizzard.

The Rating:

Five Blizzard Symbols out of Five

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