How a Vancouver artist helped 'Marvel's Wolverine' showcase B.C.
Gamers around the world are eagerly awaiting the release of Sony PlayStation’s upcoming Marvel’s Wolverine this month, and they’ll be able to see some B.C. scenery within the game thanks in part to a Vancouver artist.
Gavin Goulden, a game developer based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, is currently working at Insomniac Games as a Senior Art Director.
For Goulden, it was very important for the titular hero to appear in Canada and for Vancouver to get a chance to play itself in Marvel’s Wolverine.
Gavin Goulden
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“It is often a filming location but portrayed as another city,” said the game developer. “So, being able to show the Vancouver area itself and deliver a unique take, while staying authentic to the real-world location, is a great honour and something that was important to me, personally.”
Marvel’s Wolverine, which is slated for release on Tuesday, Sept. 15, features an original story that takes the X-Men legend on a globetrotting trip through locations like Japan, the Marvel island nation of Madripoor, and Canada.
Marvel’s Wolverine/Insomniac Games
Fans recently got a look at the titular hero in a race against time to rescue a group of kidnapped mutants.
Though not explicitly stated, the action kicks off in North Vancouver with an epic sequence set at the iconic sulphur pile. The sails at Canada Place, the Vancouver Lookout at Harbour Centre, and the Lions Gate Bridge can also be seen in the background of a cutscene.
“For gameplay and story reasons, it made the most sense to have Wolverine in that location,” explained Goulden. “It also gives a great opportunity for scenic views from the North Shore towards Squamish.
“I feel that by including the sulphur pile, it presents a great opportunity to create a stage for Wolverine’s ferocious combat style, while also knowing that it will stand out as a unique location. While people from the area may recognize it instantly, others may raise some questions and start to investigate it themselves.”
Marvel’s Wolverine/Insomniac Games
In the first trailer for the game released last fall, Wolverine is seen riding his motorcycle, with a highway sign referencing Squamish visible in the background. Squamish Nation’s language is also seen prominently on the sign.
“It was incredibly important to me that the Squamish Nation’s Language was clearly visible on our signage,” said Goulden, a lifelong comics fan. “While it may be a minor detail to some, it is an important detail to many of us that live in the area.
“When recreating a real-world location — even when taking artistic liberties to make it fit within the vision of your project — the goal is always authenticity and paying respect to the communities that belong there.”
@PlayStation/YouTube
Goulden, who enjoys taking his dogs over to Kits Beach and trekking through Stanley Park, added that he is excited for gamers to play Marvel’s Wolverine.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the work my team has done. I feel we have created something really special that honours a character with so much history while also telling a unique story that takes Wolverine to multiple locations – including Canada – with high action, ferocious combat that is true to Wolverine, and presented with realistic visuals on the PlayStation 5. I hope everyone gets to experience it.”
You won’t have to wait much longer to take control of Weapon X, as the game is slated for release on the PS5 on Sept. 15.