Neon Giant Discusses No Law, Cyberpunk, and the Importance of Moustaches

The recently unveiled cyberpunk open-world shooter, No Law, boasts a distinctive protagonist, Grey Harker, with an impressive moustache. According to Arcade Berg, co-founder and creative director at Neon Giant, this design choice was inspired by the 'manly men' of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Although Harker's initial design featured a more rounded physique, feedback led to a leaner build, yet the moustache remained, offering a unique aspect in a crowded market. Tor Frick, also co-founder and creative director, highlights the game's 'cybergrunge' city, Port Desire, and its blend of stealth and action, allowing players to choose their approach and experience different outcomes. With a focus on creating immersive and high-fidelity worlds, Neon Giant aims to deliver a distinct gaming experience. Unlike The Ascent, which was more sci-fi oriented, No Law is grounded in reality, featuring elements like vegetation, rocks, and wood, making it feel more intimate and tangible. The studio drew inspiration from 80s action heroes, such as Judge Dredd and Robocop, to create a 'comfort food' feeling with a tongue-in-cheek humor, rather than a grimdark atmosphere. By keeping their team small, around 30-40 people, Neon Giant maintains flexibility and can adapt quickly, allowing them to focus on game development rather than managing a large corporation. The studio's decision to remain small and independent, despite being acquired by Krafton in 2022, enables them to control the scope of their games and make pragmatic decisions about what to build and how to build it. With the support of Krafton, Neon Giant can focus on their passion for game-making, leveraging technology like Unreal Engine 5 to achieve their ambitious goals without being constrained by the publisher's 'AI-first' approach.