Katbus Express

Playing Video Games Again

but for research!

Jun 18, 2026

So I’ve been playing a bit more video games than usual. Yes, it is mainly because I am currently Looking For Work, but also because games tend to have my favorite examples of art direction. I love the logic in most games, linear or non-linear, which doors we can enter, what we collide against, who is an NPC… When I imagine worlds in games, I immediately get more excited; I get to think more in systems, and there are places we can explore that we would probably not have enough time to in a film.

One of the games I’ve recently played was Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I did not expect to get into a game like this, but it was recommended to me, and I wanted to see how the French did Final Fantasy. I really like it! It’s a turn-based RPG, with a wide variety of monsters, much like Persona. They created a painterly look to the game, which you will soon realize is key to the story. The style is a big part of the game, as there are a lot of references back to painting in the game, shaping the mood and lore. We aren’t inundated with bizarre monsters for little reason; the monsters are all part of the deeper history. The characters are distinct and even while in uniform, each one’s personality has them wearing it in different ways. The environments are reminiscent of La Belle Époque era Paris, more art nouveau than steampunk. But because there is a post-apocalyptic theme happening, the world is set up like fragments or memories of this regal era.

On a way different tip, a game I started right after was made in 1997 and very few people have heard of it. It’s called Moon: Remix RPG Adventure. HOW did I just find out about this game?? The visual aesthetic has been buried deep into my psyche for what feels like my entire life. The mixed media look, the adorably strange characters, the poetry to find things, it’s all a fever dream. Quick research shows that this was one of Undertale creator Toby Fox’s main inspirations, alongside Earthbound, which is more well-known to US players. It is described as an “anti-RPG”, subverting our Hero and the usual expectations of an RPG game. I kind of don’t want to spoil it more than that. I would like for more people to play it, but I do warn that it is not an easy game! Reading the manual is essential.

I am returning to my exploration phase of ‘Worlding’. Worlding is the technique of creating living, autonomous worlds. It was a term coined by artist Ian Cheng in his book ‘Emissary’s Guide to Worlding’. My own worlding process is not currently on a server or being built in Unity, but drawing and writing. I am thinking more in terms of Visual Development techniques than Game Developer. That’s not to say I don’t like code, I do! I just need to draw things out this month. That’s really been the theme lately.

I am building a new Vis Dev portfolio and am thinking about visual development in terms of legibility, visual language, and aesthetics. I can’t help but also think about this portfolio as if I’m designing a game - the research, the worldbuilding, the assets. I would love to one day art direct a larger-scale game, but I do believe ‘gamifying’ visual development is helping me consider all aspects of an animated film or series. The level of detail-oriented video games needed to run properly is a lot like Vis Dev in animated features. This is a topic still pretty fresh for me in comparison to just designing characters or illustrating, so I am doing more research as I go. If you are a Vis Dev Feature Artist OR a Videogame Art Director, I would love to chat with you and ask you questions!

Stuff Happening in LA

• Loose Frames is finally happening THIS Saturday!! I am so excited, this is a special screening before we go on a little summer hiatus and start again later in the fall.

“On Saturday, June 20th, we are celebrating filmmakers who have created films that touch on themes of connection: relationships, queerness, solidarity, community, and even death. This special screening will include a Q&A at the beginning with the present filmmakers. There are over 20 films from around the world, one hour and a half minutes in length, including a fifteen-minute break in between. We hope to see you there!”

Ticket link

• On Sunday, my studio is having a big YARD SALE. Encyclopedia Pictura, the original studio that ran the space, is moving out of LA, while me and my fellow desk renters are moving to a new studio in Eagle Rock. So expect some REALLY cool stuff; stop motion-related tools, cool books, monitors, etc.

!!!Popcorn Picks!!!

Sniff of the Week: Maybe not a sniff, but I’m going after feet again!!!

Loving: Not needing a bandage/sock on my paw anymore!!!

Unforgivable: Not petting me while you’re working >:(

Ok bye!!!

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