In the summer of 2017, I had the good fortune to be invited to take part in a collective brainstorming session at Myrkur Games, a brand-new game studio here in Reykjavík, Iceland. The goal was simple: to help develop the premise for a brand-new video game.
Every person in that room was passionate about video games, about stories and adventures, about characters and small moments that had stuck with us for years. We talked about the games that inspired us, about the kind of game we’d like to make, and in the end, we emerged from that conversation with a simple conviction I hadn’t expected. The belief that we could do it, too.
That belief is what kicked off the journey that would become Echoes of the End, a cinematic third-person action-adventure game set in Aema, a fantasy world of our own creation, inspired by the untamed beauty of our home.
Echoes of the End follows Ryn, a warrior and vestige, one born with an affinity for ancient, destructive magic, as she fights to free her brother from the clutches of a totalitarian empire and prevent a looming invasion. It features high-quality, motion-captured cinematics and gameplay animations, a visceral, fast-paced combat system, tight, reactive platforming and engaging puzzles, as well as a companion that is at your side the whole way through, offering invaluable aid in the face of every obstacle.
It’s a story that spans a wide variety of environments, all inspired by our home country of Iceland, from cavernous depths and glacial mountaintops, to ruined cities and bubbling lava fields. In short, it’s the sort of game that, until recently, a studio like ours could only have dreamed of making.
That meant finding creative ways of punching above our weight. Fortunately, the past decade has been revolutionary in terms of how accessible game development technology has become. Those environments I mentioned earlier? They’re not only inspired by Iceland, they’re largely recreated through photogrammetry, a process we’ve been practicing and iterating on for eight years now.
Take the glacier above. That’s Sólheimajökull, a stunning attraction found in the south of Iceland. It’s a perfect example of the beauty we wanted to capture for Echoes of the End, and so, armed with a single drone, we scanned the whole thing and placed it in our game world. It’s not the only notable landmark we’ve done this with either. Kirkjufell, a mountain that’s become a symbol of Iceland in recent years, can be seen in our announcement trailer, and in playing the game players may find many more. It’s a bit of an easter egg hunt, really!
We use a similar process for our character models. We started with one camera and a rotating stool that we used to spin the actor around and capture them from different angles. Later, that rig grew to nine cameras and a heavily modified cheese platter, and eventually a 360° solution that thankfully requires no spinning at all.
Motion capture, too, has become massively more accessible in recent years. It was once the exclusive domain of AAA studios with massive budgets, but we decided early on that we were going to build our own stage. I remember working with an actor who had done some motion capture back in 2007. At the time, that studio used 200 cameras. Our mocap studio today has sixteen, and has been crucial in enabling us to do what we do.
And that’s not even mentioning the game engine. It’s difficult to overstate how much of a gamechanger Unreal Engine 5 is for a studio like ours; how all of these advancements have allowed us to build a rich, immersive world without compromising on scope or fidelity. It’s what makes it possible for a small, passionate team to bring a big, ambitious game to life.
Echoes of the End is still the game we set out to make in 2017, but it’s grown and evolved alongside us through the years. We’ve poured our love into it for nearly a decade now, and we can’t wait for you to get a chance to experience it for yourself.
We recently released an announcement trailer, and the full game is available August 12 on Xbox Series X|S. We hope you’ll check it out, and that the next time you find yourself dreaming about that game you’d like to make one day, you’ll carry with you a simple conviction. The belief that you can do it, too.
Echoes of the End
Deep Silver
The world ended long ago. We’re only living in its echoes. Echoes of the End is a cinematic third-person action-adventure game. It blends a deeply personal, character-driven story with thrilling magic and sword-based combat, engaging traversal and thought-provoking puzzles. Inspired by Iceland, this epic adventure offers a mature, rich and immersive experience in a breathtaking and original fantasy world. A Heroine’s Journey Step into the shoes of Ryn, a vestige wielding volatile yet powerful magic, as she battles to save her brother from a ruthless totalitarian empire. Partner with Abram Finlay – a scholar and explorer haunted by his past – to uncover a conspiracy that could reignite an ancient conflict and plunge Aema into chaos. Immerse yourself in a heartfelt tale of trust, redemption, and sacrifice in a world on the edge of war. Dynamic Combat and Exploration • Master Ryn’s prowess in magic and swordsmanship to defeat unique enemies and face epic boss battles.
• Harness a vast array of devastating powers as Ryn grows in strength and confidence throughout her journey.
• Team up with Abram to combine forces in both combat and traversal, unleashing creative combos and interactions.
• Explore breathtaking environments inspired by Icelandic landscapes, from fiery lava fields to icy mountain peaks. Puzzles and Traversal Challenges
• Solve engaging puzzles with Ryn’s powers, including gravity manipulation, destruction, and illusions, through collaboration with your companion.
• Navigate the world with a diverse range of traversal mechanics, like double-jumping, dashing, and gravity control, with each chapter introducing fresh, unique challenges. Cinematic Visuals and Realistic Fantasy • Echoes of the End immerses players in an original, grounded fantasy world brimming with depth and detail. • This character-driven adventure features motion-captured performances, intricately designed character models and stunningly crafted environments, delivering a truly unforgettable and heartfelt experience.
• Explore the hidden history of Aema, forge unbreakable bonds, and embrace your magical potential as you shape the destiny of a nation.
