{"id":819,"date":"2026-04-23T07:36:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T07:36:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/?page_id=819"},"modified":"2026-04-23T07:45:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T07:45:35","slug":"lotus-video-game","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/case-studies\/case-studies-environment-art\/lotus-video-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Lotus Video Game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Defining the visual identity, atmosphere, and artistic rules of a game world<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-820\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-768x497.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-1536x994.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Client:<\/strong>&nbsp;Dr.Cat Labs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Project:<\/strong>&nbsp;Roguelike video game<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>My Role: <\/strong>Art Director \u2014 Environments<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lotus is a roguelike video game developed with a strong focus on atmosphere, visual identity, and replayability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My role on the project was Art Direction for the environments: defining the artistic vision, visual language, and stylistic coherence that guided the production of all locations, props, and architectural elements throughout the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-1-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-1-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-1-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-1-768x497.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-1-1536x994.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-1.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Responsibilities included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Defining the overall visual identity of the world of Lotus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Establishing mood, color palettes, and lighting principles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Designing the visual logic behind architectural progression and spaces<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creating style guides, moodboards, and key artworks to align the environment team<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Directing the design of hero locations and signature environments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensuring visual coherence between gameplay readability and cinematic atmosphere<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-2-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-823\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-2-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-2-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-2-768x497.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-2-1536x994.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-2.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A key aspect of the art direction was the definition of a visual hierarchy across the game world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Environments were designed to communicate progression through contrast:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lower areas are simple, worn, dark, and utilitarian&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Higher areas become more ornate, refined, and visually complex&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This vertical progression visually supports narrative tension, player advancement, and emotional pacing, reinforcing the sense of ascent both physically and symbolically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-3-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-824\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-3-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-3-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-3-768x497.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-3-1536x994.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-3.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The environments of Lotus were developed through a layered visual development process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Early mood key art to define atmosphere and emotional tone&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Color and lighting studies to establish consistency across spaces&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Modular architecture concepts aligned with gameplay requirements&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hero props and focal elements designed to anchor key locations&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Style guidelines used to support production and consistency&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every environment was conceived not as an isolated space, but as part of a coherent visual system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-4-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-826\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-4-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-4-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-4-768x497.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-4-1536x994.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-4.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While environment art focuses on the creation of individual assets and scenes, my contribution to Lotus was centered on art direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The work was not limited to producing environments, but to defining the visual rules that allowed multiple artists and assets to feel part of the same world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This includes style definition, visual storytelling, spatial logic, and the supervision of how aesthetics serve both gameplay and narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-5-1024x662.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-827\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-5-1024x662.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-5-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-5-768x497.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-5-1536x994.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-5.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A curated selection of key artworks, mood pieces, and environment designs developed as part of the Art Direction for Lotus can be explored here: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/dr_cat_labs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dr.Cat Labs ArtStation<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.artstation.com\/luca_malisan\/albums\/3707242\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">My ArtStation Environments<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The work on Lotus represents my approach to Art Direction: combining strong visual identity, production-awareness, and narrative intent to create worlds that are both expressive and functional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This project naturally extends my experience in directing environments for large-scale productions, such as the Bonelli Animated Brand Logo, where visual coherence and stylistic clarity were equally critical.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Defining the visual identity, atmosphere, and artistic rules of a game world Client:&nbsp;Dr.Cat Labs Project:&nbsp;Roguelike video game My Role: Art Director \u2014 Environments Lotus is&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class=\"more-link-wrapper\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/case-studies\/case-studies-environment-art\/lotus-video-game\/\">Continua a leggere<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Lotus Video Game<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":737,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-819","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/819","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=819"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/819\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":842,"href":"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/819\/revisions\/842"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.malisan.it\/site_2020\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=819"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}