Deathloop artist showcases the game's sharp '60s-inspired fashion

For a gang of brutal killers trapped on a timeless murder island, Deathloop's heroes and villains are impeccably well-dressed. In a new video from GameInformer, Arkane lead character artist Jean-Baptiste Ferder detailed how the team stitched together such a fashionable cast.

The stars of the catwalk are, of course, main characters Colt and Juliana. Our stubborn, worn down hero naturally has a knackered old jacket, flavoured with custom patches. Juliana's design is much simpler—she lets her gun do the talking, so much of the detail has been saved for her rifle.

But these designs are practically tame compared to the Visionaries, the eight targets Colt needs to kill to escape the island. This is our first look at the entire line-up, and the looks are stunning. Ferder cites hairdressing icon Vidal Sassoon and Bob Fosse dance clips as key drivers of Deathloop's snappy looks, which range from jazzy suits and minimalist masks to flat-panelled dresses and practical jumpsuits.

The team has gone to some ridiculous lengths to paint these characters through even the smallest details. Did you notice Colt's belt buckle like, at all? Because Arkane's lead concept artist forged it, for real, before modelling it in the game proper. 

Deathloop's style isn't simply visual, either. This month, Arkane released the game's brilliant, Bond-style theme song on Spotify. Deathloop is coming to Steam and Bethesda.net on May 21st.

Natalie Clayton
Features Producer

20 years ago, Nat played Jet Set Radio Future for the first time, and she's not stopped thinking about games since. Joining PC Gamer in 2020, she comes from three years of freelance reporting at Rock Paper Shotgun, Waypoint, VG247 and more. Embedded in the European indie scene and a part-time game developer herself, Nat is always looking for a new curiosity to scream about—whether it's the next best indie darling, or simply someone modding a Scotmid into Black Mesa. She also unofficially appears in Apex Legends under the pseudonym Horizon.