Lucasfilm Games’ Craig Derrick Talks Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

As was the case with the creation of Indiana Jones’ cinematic adventures, the storytellers at MachineGames and Lucasfilm Games researched history and legends to find inspiration for the upcoming game, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

“For an Indiana Jones adventure to truly shine,” explains Lucasfilm Games executive producer Craig Derrick, “it needs a globe-trotting journey with a strong historical element—something grounded in reality yet wrapped in mystique or relevance. With The Great Circle, Todd Howard and the team at MachineGames struck gold by centering the story on a real-world mystery: a number of ancient sites around the world align on a perfect, unbroken circle, yet the reason behind this alignment has eluded people for centuries.”

As Derrick admits, the concept “blew my mind,” and he was soon diving into research of his own. “The more I learned, the more fascinated I became with the idea,” he notes, not unlike Indy’s own fascination that drives the story of The Great Circle. “We delved into what kind of MacGuffin could be linked to all these sites and how each location could be authentically represented within the context of Indy’s life. This process of exploration and discovery fueled the world-building of the game from the very beginning, ensuring that each aspect of the story was both true to the character and engaging for the player.”

Staying true to the character of Indiana Jones also meant finding the right actor to take on the role originated by Harrison Ford on the big screen. “Casting for Indiana Jones is a nearly impossible task because Harrison Ford is Indy,” says Derrick. “Finding someone who can step into those shoes and fill that iconic hat is extraordinarily challenging. But then you meet Troy Baker.” In the latest gameplay trailer for The Great Circle, players have been introduced to Baker, who is a lifelong fan himself.

“Troy embodies the charisma and presence of Indy in a way that feels like he’s been preparing for this role his entire career,” Derrick comments. “He knows this character inside and out, has the physicality to bring Indy to life, and understands the nuances of Harrison’s portrayal—getting the tone and voice just right. Plus, Troy knows how to translate all of that onto the performance capture stage. I had the pleasure of watching him deliver an incredible performance, and I often saw him guiding other actors, helping them navigate the motion capture process, and genuinely enjoying every moment on this project. He’s an extraordinary talent, and he’s brought something truly special to the role of Indy.”

An Indiana Jones adventure feels especially apt for gaming when the character is tackling puzzles, which Derrick notes is a “core gameplay element” of The Great Circle. Movie audiences are well accustomed to Indy using his wits to outsmart booby traps and navigate ancient passages. Great Circle players will be able to do the same.

“From uncovering and investigating the central mystery of the story to tackling unique situations along the way and outsmarting traps designed to keep the world’s secrets hidden.” Derrick explains. “We wanted the player’s primary focus to be on using their brains before their brawn, although punching bad guys is also a lot of fun. In many ways, we envisioned this game as a spiritual successor to Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis and other classic adventure games. It’s about thinking, discovering, tracking down clues, and sometimes just a bit of luck to get through the various traps, tombs, and threats encountered—all while capturing that over-the-top Saturday matinee feel that defines an Indiana Jones adventure.”

The recent gameplay trailer has introduced players to a pair of new tools that will be available throughout Indy’s journey: a journal and a camera. The journal, as Derrick notes, will help the player with “discovering clues, gathering vital information to solve later puzzles, documenting your journey, and pulling out the map to figure out where to go next.” It’s a poignant accessory in the classic Indiana Jones vein.

The camera is a bit more unusual, something audiences haven’t seen Indy employ in the feature films. But as Derrick is keen to point out, the character has indeed used just such a device in The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones television series. “A little-known fact about Indy is that as a young man he becomes an aerial reconnaissance photographer during World War I, so why we don’t necessarily call that out, this game leverages a little bit of that aspect of his character.” In The Great Circle, the camera will allow players to gather useful information and aid them in uncovering hidden details for various puzzles. “It’s a fascinating addition to Indy’s toolkit,” says Derrick, “adding depth and new dimensions to the gameplay.”

Of course, Indiana Jones doesn’t usually set out on adventures entirely on his own, and The Great Circle will introduce players to a brand-new companion, Gina Lombardi, who appeared in a recent clip first unveiled at the Xbox Summer Showcase. The quick-witted Italian seems to be an ideal match for the archaeologist.

“Gina is the perfect ally for Indy,” Derrick comments. “She’s endlessly curious, incredibly sharp, and has a personal stake in the journey. She not only challenges and assists the player but also serves as an intellectual equal to Indy, bringing depth to the adventure. Gina adds a personal dimension to the story, making the journey about more than just finding another artifact for a museum. I believe players are really going to connect with her and root for her story.”

Players will be able to experience the story of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle beginning December 9, 2024 on Xbox consoles, PC, and Game Pass. More information about pre-orders, early access, and collectible editions can be found here.

Lucas O. Seastrom is a writer and historian at Lucasfilm.

—

Lucasfilm.com | Timeless Stories. Innovative Storytelling.