Jens Andersson of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Discusses Defining a MachineGames Adventure

As the design director behind Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Jens Andersson has a rich history of developing first-person games that break away from traditional FPS norms. His experience at Starbreeze, where he worked on The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay and The Darkness, has influenced his approach to game design. The 2024 release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, developed alongside former Starbreeze colleagues and the team at MachineGames, embodies this distinctive first-person DNA. Players are immersed in the role of Indiana Jones, exploring tombs, engaging in slapstick brawls, and improvising to overcome challenges. Ahead of his keynote at Develop:Brighton 2025, Andersson reflects on the game's development and its impact. When asked about the experience of launching a game in December, Andersson notes that the digital shift has changed the traditional release window landscape. The first-person perspective, a deliberate design choice, has been well-received by players. Andersson attributes this success to the immersive nature of first-person gameplay, which allows players to truly inhabit the role of Indiana Jones. The development process was not without its challenges, particularly in balancing gameplay elements and convincing players to adopt a more exploratory approach. Despite these hurdles, the team's trust in players has been vindicated, and the game's open, story-heavy design has resonated with audiences. Andersson also highlights the importance of communication and trust within the development team, fostered by years of collaboration. The team's expertise and shorthand have enabled them to work efficiently, even when tackling new challenges like puzzle design and exploration. While it was difficult to make a game of Indiana Jones' scale with the size of the studio, the team's passion and experience ultimately paid off. Andersson acknowledges that he can no longer watch the Indiana Jones movies without analyzing them as reference material, a testament to the depth of the team's involvement in the franchise.