Details on Creating a Realistic Microworld – PlayStation.Blog
With the new real-time strategy game Empire of the Ants scheduled to launch on November 7 on PS5, players will be able to fully immerse themselves in the surprising world of insects, thanks to the near-realistic graphics built on Unreal Engine 5. In this article, we will show you how Tower Five, a young studio based in La Rochelle, France, achieved such natural results!
A meticulously inspired work by Tower Five
An adaptation of Bernard Werber’s famous novel that vividly depicts the daily lives of these incredible insects, Empire of the Ants naturally took a realistic artistic approach. “While there were times when we needed to bend reality a little to better serve the story or gameplay, overall we aimed for a very realistic rendering of the settings and characters,” explains Jean-Charles Schaeffert, lead artist at Tower Five.
To achieve this ambitious goal, the 15-person team began with extensive research. For the environment, the studio spent a week in the Fontainebleau Forest, southeast of Paris, observing nature and taking photos. The forest also inspired the developers in terms of level design, to the point that those familiar with the location will recognize certain levels. Finally, Tower Five even used 3D scanners to capture real objects: tree roots, stumps, and even iconic Fontainebleau elements like the Bilboquet rock!
Equally meticulous effort was made to faithfully recreate the various characters—ants, termites, beetles, dung beetles, and more. The team amassed a large photo library and regularly consulted encyclopedias like the Delachaux Guide to Insects of France and Europe. “We even had some real specimens preserved in plastic blocks,” Jean-Charles added, “which allowed us to observe them under magnifying glasses from all angles.” The goal: to be as close to reality as possible.
Advanced 3D techniques with Unreal Engine
Back in the studio with all these inspiring elements, the team sat down at the computer to recreate our world in three dimensions. Jean-Charles notes that Tower Five focused on a few key points, such as the resolution of the models for maximum detail—our heroine, for example, is 103,683, consisting of over 50,000 triangles. Consistency of lighting, regardless of time of day or weather conditions, was also a major consideration. Not to mention texture definition, for clarity even when viewed up close, as well as reflections, especially on water surfaces.
While Empire of the Ants will be Tower Five’s first realistic game, the studio boasts experienced developers (like Jean-Charles, who has nearly 20 years in the field) who have worked on similar projects before. Unreal Engine 5 is a real asset to the developers, with features like Nanite, which allows for virtually unlimited triangles, or Lumen, which almost perfectly simulates the behavior of light. Jean-Charles doesn’t mince words: “A project like this, with so much realism and detail, wouldn’t be possible without Unreal Engine 5. Ten years ago, it was still science fiction; the techniques I use in advertising and film are now real-time because the tools are finally available.”
So thanks to Tower Five’s attention to detail and the latest technology, players will be able to immerse themselves in the world of Empire of the Ants on November 7 as if they were really there. You don’t need the latest graphics card to enjoy these lavish visuals—Empire of the Ants will release on PS5. Add to your wishlist on PlayStation Store to make sure you don’t miss out on this exciting experience!
