Serving as an introduction to the concept, which is yet to be made into a movie or computer game, this art book charts the design evolution of an epic new sci-fi saga, set in a future world. Mixing characters and vehicle designs with fully painted 'production art'-style visuals of the environments, form a polluted future Earth to the Moon, Mars and beyond into deep space and the mysterious planet code-named 'Samhuinn', the book outlines the voyage of Harry, a highly gifted engineer, and his dysfunctional team of followers, as they escape an evil empire and make first contact with extra-terrestrial life...

Exodyssey is a bit of a strange release. Instead of the art work and concept illustrations from Steambot Studios's work for a movie or console game, what we have here is their very own universe... created for reasons not overly clear. It could be the work of their artists as they designed concepts for other projects; or maybe ideas their artists came up with in their spare time as a hobby, which someone has cleverly attempted to string together into one coherent universe. Whatever the reason behind these creations I can't understand why a studio would create their own universe (off their own back) for any other reason than for use as a portfolio, because they haven't had enough paid work to show off what they can do, to perspective clients.

Asking people to part with £30 for a book full of ideas and illustrations that obviously aren't good enough to have been picked up by either a movie or gaming project just seems a little cheeky. I mean, if you don't know what this is all about - what it's based on - why on earth would you shell out for what is basically a concept which is in limbo?

If the studio was being totally honest, they'd admit that what they are selling is a huge portfolio of rough work that they are capable of designing - a brochure for potential clients. Why would a design studio (usually paid to create other peoples visions) create their own world and characters when they aren't getting paid for it? It feels more like practice, or rejected work for other projects, which they've attempted to string together to create a new universe.

While it looks great, and is quite interesting, I'm scratching my head to think who on earth this would appeal to.

5

Darren Rea