WipEout Futurism

The definitive illustrated history of the cult videogame – a heart-thumping fusion of groundbreaking graphic design, architectural futurism, electronic music and high-speed racing.

WipEout crashed onto the scene in 1995, shifting games into the cultural fast lane with its unique 3D visual designs. It propelled a wondrous hit of anti-gravity, hyperspeed racing into the heart of the freshly released PlayStation console and, over time, the series – developed by Psygnosis, later known as Studio Liverpool – grew into a cult phenomenon amongst graphic designers and gamers alike. With its club-land branding – devised by cutting-edge Sheffield agency The Designers Republic, and its on-the-pulse collaborations with electronic artists, from The Chemical Brothers to Kraftwerk, WipEout was not only a racing game – it was a vehicle for art. WipEout Futurism chronicles the iconic game’s vision, struggles and achievements – from first conception to future plans, in a distinctive union of trailblazing artwork and graphic design. The extraordinary, and rarely seen, concept art created for the game is beautifully reproduced throughout the book, while The Designers Republic’s peerless vision for an alternative future – with its roots planted in the rich earth of sci-fi iconography – weaves its way throughout the pages, making this publication a densely packed expansion to the beloved series.

Author Biography

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.