MachineGames Reveals Open World Was Biggest Challenge for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

MachineGames Navigated Tricky Territory with Indiana Jones' Open World Design

MachineGames, the studio behind the highly anticipated Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, has revealed that creating the game's open world environment proved to be the most demanding aspect of its development. This marks a significant shift for the developer, which built its reputation on the acclaimed Wolfenstein series, known for its focused, linear shooter gameplay.

Unlike the continuous firefights of Wolfenstein, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle emphasizes adventure, exploration, and the discovery of ancient artifacts. Combat takes a backseat, allowing for a much greater degree of player freedom. Creative Director Axel Torvenius shared insights with GamesRadar+ at Gamescom 2025, explaining that building a dynamic and open world was a core ambition from the very beginning, despite the inherent difficulties.

Torvenius elaborated on the studio's journey: "We have a long history of creating, so to speak, very linear, yet story-driven gameplay within the Wolfenstein franchise. And when we started this project [Indiana Jones and the Great Circle], we understood from the very beginning that we wanted to make the game more open and dynamic." He described this new direction as one of the most interesting and complex aspects of the entire development process.

Interestingly, the upcoming "The Order of Giants" DLC for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle appears to blend both design philosophies. Torvenius noted that the expansion is "more linear than some parts of the main game," yet still incorporates more open sections, particularly when players explore areas like the streets of Rome, and even delve beneath them. This suggests MachineGames is finding new ways to integrate their expertise with storytelling into broader environments.

Players can look forward to experiencing this blend of exploration and adventure firsthand when "The Order of Giants" DLC launches on September 4th for PC (Steam), Xbox Series, and PlayStation 5. This new direction for MachineGames promises a fresh take on the iconic adventurer, balancing the studio's narrative strength with the thrill of discovery in expansive new settings.