Howdy Folks,
They say third time’s the charm, so here we are back with a new step in the world of Barrage. In this diary, we’ll explore the artistic influences that shaped our vision, from the visual style of the board game to the real world grand architecture of hydroelectric power plants.
3. The Visual identity of Barrage
When adapting Barrage into a digital format, one of our biggest challenges was capturing the game’s distinct visual identity while enhancing it for a screen-based experience. The original board game has a bold, industrial aesthetic—evoking the early 20th-century hydroelectric boom, a time of rapid technological advancement, grand engineering projects, and fierce economic competition. Our goal was to translate that gritty, machine-driven atmosphere into an interactive space where every element feels like part of a living, functional world.
But enough talk, let’s see some pictures!
Getting the best out of the board game
Each faction from the board game features a distinct style inspired by real life architects from the same country. For example, Marguerite Grant (the CEO from USA) is portrayed in front of a dam in the style of Buckminster Fuller and his geodesic structures; the design resembles a run-of-river dam which is evocative of Missouri’s Hauser Dam (though more references from around the world were used).
(Courtesy of The Buckminster Fuller Institute)
Italy’s architectural frame was set by the work of Pier Luigi Nervi, a famous architect who believed in firmness and static nature when it comes to buildings and functionality. The final design shows tall, flat surfaces, with a simple geometry that reveal the constraints imposed by physical laws.
(Courtesy of DARC, f2f studio)
But what about the UI specifically? Well, the inspiration came from different sources, most of which were taken from control rooms built around the world, twisting the classic optimism with a more dark-esque steampunk taste.
The Kelenföld Power Plant
You can’t say you’ve been in Budapest, Hungary, unless you saw this beauty with your own eyes. The Kelenföld PP is a stunning example of industrial Art Deco and early Modernist architecture. Built in 1914 and expanded in the 1920s and 1930s, it became one of the most advanced power stations in Europe at the time. Its Art Deco control room, designed in 1927, is particularly famous for its unique aesthetic and historical significance. It has also been the first and foremost inspiration for the visual style of our UI.
(Courtesy of Jennifer Walker)
The Battersea Power Station
This is one of London's most iconic industrial landmarks. Built between 1929 and 1955, it is a masterpiece of Art Deco and industrial architecture, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the same architect behind Britain’s famous red telephone boxes. One of the most stunning parts of Battersea Power Station is Control Room A, a beautifully preserved Art Deco masterpiece, which features illuminated gauges and dials which contribute in creating a futuristic yet elegant aesthetic.
(Courtesy of James Parsons)
The Blue Power Plant
Officially known as the Cockerill-Sambre Power Plant, was an integral part of the extensive Cockerill-Sambre steelworks in Charleroi, Belgium. Established in the early 20th century, this facility was designed to supply electricity to the adjacent steel production units. The control room of the Blue Power Plant in Belgium was a stunning relic of mid-century industrial design, blending Art Deco and Brutalist elements with a highly functional layout. It was one of the most visually striking parts of the power plant, drawing attention from urban explorers and photographers before the site's unfortunate demolition.
(Courtesy of Darbians Photography)
Take everything you saw, mix it into a blender, and here’s what you get:
What’s your opinion on this type of architecture and design? Let us know in the comments!
Until next time,
Amintiri