Video Game Architecture

Anyone on Reddit? Head over to https://www.reddit.com/r/videogamearchitecture/ to check out our new subreddit! Please submit an architectural screenshot too if you have one!

The Archon's Keep from Destiny

The Hanging Crypts from Destiny (Alak-hul, the Darkblade's prison)

Wrath of the Machine Raid starting area from Destiny

SIVA Replicator from Destiny: Rise of Iron

Diamond City Entrance from Fallout 4

Architecture:  There are many atmospheric interventions that relate to Nepal including: the flags strung between tall objects, windswept trees, and symbols and icons of Hinduism and Buddhism. Hinduism and Buddhism are the two most relevant religions in Nepal. In response to this the developers seem to have mixed the architecture and beliefs of these religions creating a very beautiful and interesting atmosphere. The game actually uses some of these symbols as mechanics, prayer scrolls, for instance, are spun in order to open portals. There is a general overtone of red throughout Shangri-la and it seems to have a myriad of relations with what's happening in this realm. It could most obviously be seen as blood or struggle because of the invasion by Kalinag's forces but also implies a sort of royalty or reverence showing that this land is holy and stoic. 

So Destiny fans have long been speculating about the Vex’s relationship to the Traveler. There’s actually some strong architectural similarities between them. What might throw you off is the sphere space of the traveler when compared to the rectilinear spaces of the Vex (1st and 2nd picture), however, they share materiality and structure. The relation in structure can be clearly depicted by the predesign sketches by Bungie (3rd and 4th picture). They show a sort of thick rebar structure covered over by stone in the case of the Vex and what looks like thin metal in the Traveler. But is that metal on the Traveler? If we look at the shard of the Traveler found while fighting the Hive, we can see a distinct stone-like texture, thus establishing a relationship in materiality between the Vex and Traveler as well (last picture).

Ice Cave from Outlast - Probably the happiest room in Outlast. There's an interpolation of natural (ice) and manmade (archway) structure that creates dynamic texture and depth.

Entrance to Shulva in Dark Souls 2 - There’s a sort of irony in the lighting of the floor. As one usually expects light to come from the sun here we clearly see a lower source. And it drags us ever closer to it- downward.

Inside the Hellmouth from Destiny

Noore's Fortress from Farcry 4

Black Garden from Destiny

The Grand Cathedral from the Ivory Crown DLC for Dark Souls 2

The Vault of Glass from Destiny

Haley and Matti's House from Dust: an Elysian Tale

The Treacherous Mansion from Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon