Neoclassical Architecture in videogames

[D3ads]

If it's one thing I don't often see in games, it's ornate buildings built on the typical neoclassical design, derived from Greek Corinthian architecture. The Modern world owes a lot to the Ancient Greeks since we've all been basically copying their style for centuries since, from Ancient Rome to present!

Anyway, since I looked at the making of CS_museum following the CSGO thread and the references I could see how the Neoclassical style of the museum was born. It hit me that it's not very often you see ornate buildings in games and when it's done some of the detail is lost (presumably to cut down time?). I thought to myself that since COD games were set in Europe in WWII, there must be some ornate buildings in the games and then I remembered the Reichstag in the first game;

From there I realised that World At War also featured the building:

I've never played MW3 other than watching videos of it but I do know that the New York Stock Exchange is there and it's actually a decent effort although the figures look funny in comparison to real life;

Also since Metro 2033 is set in post apocalyptic Moscow, there's some buildings in neoclassical style like the kalinin museum (orange pillared building on the right);

Now there must be more examples of neoclassical buildings in videogames that I've not seen, does anyone else have any examples? I personally think we should see more ornate buildings in videogames!

Edited April 29, 2013 by D3ads

[Sentura]

i don't know if you have noticed, but all those building from all those games are pretty much the exact same building....

[D3ads]

i don't know if you have noticed, but all those building from all those games are pretty much the exact same building....

No, they just have the same architectural design influenced by Ancient Greek construction;

http://en.wikipedia....al_architecture

http://en.wikipedia....orinthian_order

Pretty much every ornate building in the world is built in the neoclassical or Corithian style;

Washington State Capitol, USA:

National Assembly Of Serbia, Belgrade:

St Paul's Cathderal, London:

Palais Bourbon, Paris:

Argentine National Congress, Beunos Aires:

St Peter's Basilica, Rome:

See how they're all very striking and different buildings that share the architectural design from the drawings above? That's what I'm talking about...

[-HP-]

Mmmm, so modular! Makes me wanna model it!

[D3ads]

Remembered another couple, Herbert C Hoover building and The White House in MW2:

I haven't played Crysis 2, it's likely there's several examples in there...

Edited April 30, 2013 by D3ads

[D3ads]

Stock Exchange is in Crysis 2!

What's interesting to me is the differences between the way they've made it here compared with MW3's version...

[TarrySruman]

There is a disappointing lack of this in Red Orchestra 2

[FMPONE]

yeah there is no question I wanted to nail this style for museum and I think I was able to. unfortunately the saddest thing about that is that I couldn't immediately return to the style and do it again, because it really is one of the most visually pleasing around. talk about a combination of epic and clean, powerful and stylish. it's the ultimate look! the greeks were the best! classic!

Red Orchestra : Ostfront also featured the Reichstag, and I still think it looks great

that level kind of sucked imo but it was beautiful. then there was the most recent map they added to that game, the city level, which was EPIC EPIC EPIC. so beautiful. but then RO2 came out and puppies died

Edited July 18, 2013 by FMPONE

[blackdog]

Sentura's point is not wrong, I mean, if you read it in a broad sense.

I guess the reason why there aren't so many featured in games, is that this kind of buildings are ideal for setpieces: that by definition is a "one-off" location in a game. They also need a lot of empty space around, thing that generally is not very good for gameplay (in shooters). Internal rooms are huge, to the point that it could be necessary to scale down(?) (i'm maybe wrong, but Grand Central's inside in Crysis 2 seems scaled down to me).

As far as I can remember, scenarios in which these structures are used, are all the same: "last stand" or "final assault"... and for me they tend to be kinda the low point in the experience, instead of the peak of excitement (i'm thinking about COD and Kane & Lynch).

Btw the White House was featured also in Conviction (really enjoyed that chapter), and they also put in the Lincoln Memorial. (Can't find good screens.)

Edited April 30, 2013 by blackdog

[marks]

Fuck neoclassical dawg, gimme some Ottoman THEN we're talking.

[Pericolos0]

I think it's featured plenty, but usually as hero pieces because all those ornaments and freezes are time consuming to make . even scifi games have tons of it. gears of war is like 100% neoclassical stuff with scifi elements tacked on. Starcraft uses it too:

http://gamingill.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/HOTSpic-2.png

http://www.gamecheatplaza.com/diaries/StarCraft2/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/StarCraft2-2010-08-10-17_39_46.jpg

[Steppenwolf]

Technically speaking the Peter Basilica is late Italian renaissance architecture. Neoclassicism started in the 18th century.

[FMPONE]

Technically speaking the Peter Basilica is late Italian renaissance architecture. Neoclassicism started in the 18th century.

seems legit

[cincinnati]

gahg!

st. peter's facade and a good bit just behind it are a travesty of design, if for no other reason than it totally cockblocks michelangelo's vastly superior building behind it.

don't fall too far under the spell of ornament, D3ads. it will eat your soul.

[Sentura]

Technically speaking the Peter Basilica is late Italian renaissance architecture. Neoclassicism started in the 18th century.

gahg!

st. peter's facade and a good bit just behind it are a travesty of design, if for no other reason than it totally cockblocks michelangelo's vastly superior building behind it.

don't fall too far under the spell of ornament, D3ads. it will eat your soul.

damn and here i was thinking i was an architecture nerd