IGN AU: We imagine texture-work and modelling for this kind of look requires quite different skills and aesthetics than for a more traditional looking game. How has the art department adjusted? Were they thrilled to have something so different to sink their teeth into?

Brian Martel: This was a challenge for a lot of the artists at first, but mostly it was really just us getting our sea legs, if you will. It was challenging for some because it was such a departure from what they felt they had been working towards for years: Hyper Realism. Ultimately though everyone got into it and found it to be some of the most fun they have ever had working on a game. It is a very liberating and freeing art style. Artists that have traditional skills and folks that have done a lot of texture painting and texture photo manipulation have the time of their lives with this style.

For the most part it is such a unique style and they have never worked like this before so it is a blast for all of the artists. As the style came together I think they all felt ownership of it because everyone helped to do something that helped to define the look. Each artist was able to influence and inspire the other ones.

IGN AU: The new visual style is clearly a point of differentiation, but how does it fit in with the game's attitude and gameplay?

Brian Martel: Believe it or not I think it accentuates and reinforces the attitude and game play immensely! It's been a symbiotic relationship between the new look and the game; each one feeding into and off of the other. The style of the game play begat the new look which freed the game to have more attitude and more fun and ultimately each made the other better for it.