- Sea of Conquest: Cradle of the Gods is the first major project from newly-opened Studio Ellipsis
- Set in the universe of the FunPlus game, it features an all-star cast of artists and writers
- I chatted with narrative director Guillaume about the series and what inspired it
As a longtime comic book enthusiast, I was thrilled to get the chance to chat with Guillaume, the narrative director behind Studio Ellipsis’ Sea of Conquest: Cradle of the Gods comic series. Being based in Lisbon myself, it felt like serendipity when I found out he was just down the street!
By now you’ve probably already read my interview with Alexandre Imancio, head of the recently opened Studio Ellipsis. But he wasn’t the only person I was able to nail down (figuratively) for an interview, as I also got the chance to chat with Guillaume, the narrative director who helped to organise the recently released comic book from the studio, which is also their first major project.
Initially, one might dismiss comic books as trivial, but as an ardent admirer of the genre, I was delightfully impressed by the meticulous crafting of Sea of Conquest’s adaptation. Given that the game is often criticized for its sparse narrative, it appears that substantial efforts have been made to enrich the world and characters, offering a more immersive experience.
What primarily piqued my interest in the Studio Ellipsis launch, even before learning its name, was the impressive ensemble of writers and talent involved in Sea of Conquest: Cradle of the Gods. As a result, I was eager to learn more about the origin of this project from Guillaume.
If you haven’t had the chance already, be sure to check out my other interview with Alexandre Imanchio, who goes into a lot more detail about the inspirations behind the studio. But in brief all you need to know is that they’ve got plenty of experience and ambition to make FunPlus’ IP some of the biggest in terms of cross-media, including a new multiplatform IP in the works.
Although our conversation with Guillaume wasn’t as extensive as the one we had with Alex, it still yielded some fascinating perspectives. If you’re curious about the creative process behind these forthcoming comics, or wish to learn more about what sparked their inspiration, feel free to delve deeper!
A picture of Guillaume (Back row, far right) with the FunPlus team
Once more I’m back here in Lisbon with Guillaume, who is the narrative director here at Studio Ellipsis. You worked on the Sea of Conquest comic book, which is the first major kind of push into the transmedia space for the game. How did you get started on the idea?
So we thought that Sea of Conquest was a good IP and universe to start with because of the mix of humour, the tone of the IP and the pirate world. We felt like it was a universe in which you could tell any number of stories in, and that the comic book was a good medium to use because of its graphic nature that can show you characters and locations differently than in-game.
Have you been interested in comic books yourself? Have you worked on them before or was this your first time managing the medium?
Indeed, it’s fascinating to note that while you might associate comic books with DC or Marvel, in France, we refer to this genre as “bande dessinée.” This term encompasses a broader range of characters such as Tintin, Asterix, and Spirou, which are not necessarily part of the American comic book world.
I mean France obviously produced some very famous comic artists, like Moebius
.
My upbringing was largely influenced by Moebius’s renowned works in comic books. Over time, I became acquainted with classic superhero comics from other well-known intellectual properties as well. In my mental landscape, these two styles often blend together. Our goal for the Sea of Conquest comic book was to recruit artists and a creative team that straddle this boundary between these two realms. If you take a look at the first issue, you’ll notice a hint of European comic influence, but also the pace and rhythm reminiscent of American books that many readers are accustomed to.
Obviously, you’ve got issue one, and issue two, yet to come out. How long is the series running for?
We’ve set a schedule for ten instalments of our series, and some are already completed, waiting to be unveiled. As you might expect, the first issue is available now, while the second one will be published on October 23rd. Following this, we’ll release new issues monthly, with all ten planned issues together telling the entire epic tale of Cradle of the Gods.
It’s definitely an impressive number considering many comic series from the big two often run for less than half that.
Indeed, it’s uncertain whether launching our project on a grand scale is beneficial or not, but we were keen to make a strong debut. Given the significance of the narrative to us, we wished to craft an engaging and captivating story, as well as develop well-rounded characters. Consequently, we felt that four or six issues might be too brief for our inaugural series; we believed 10 issues would provide the ideal length.
So can you reveal anything in the future for Studio Ellipsis as we wrap up? Like what you may have planned?
Is there something I can reveal about that? No.
I can discuss the advancements happening in the realm of video games, and it seems that storytelling is also undergoing transformations. We may not be certain about its shape in five years, but we aim to pioneer the exploration of innovative methods for storytelling within these universes, making them accessible for audiences.
Great, well can I ask what you think will be the thing that people will resonate with the most when it comes to Sea of Conquest: Cradle of the Gods?
If you’re fond of thrilling pirate tales filled with daring escapades against formidable foes like monsters, sea creatures, and eccentric witches, all while enjoying a mix of humor and poignant emotional scenes, then this is right up your alley! The story initially follows a traditional path but later ventures into more ominous territories. It also tackles significant themes, each with its memorable high points.
And naturally I have to finish up with my usual question which is, what are you playing on mobile at the moment?
Whenever I find the chance, I like to juggle multiple games simultaneously, especially those produced by Supercell, which I’ve grown quite fond of. Currently, I’m engrossed in a game that isn’t brand new; it goes by the name Smash Hit. The concept is simple – just tap and destroy as far as you can go. It’s an ideal choice for casual gaming on my mobile device, offering an easy-to-understand mechanics without requiring deep thought.
Visit Studio Ellipsis’ official website to explore their first significant venture, the comic book series Sea of Conquest: Cradle of the Gods, available for free. Also, stay tuned as we’ll provide updates on any new developments regarding their upcoming franchise.
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2024-10-22 11:19