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<p>Nearly 18 years after its debut, *Mirror's Edge* remains legendary for its pristine skyscrapers and brilliant azure skies. Interestingly, this iconic look wasn't actually part of DICE’s original vision.</p>
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<p>In a recent retrospective with <a href="https://www.designroom.site/mirrors-edge-an-oral-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Design Room</a>, the developers behind the first-person parkour hit admitted the game was initially destined to mimic the gritty, desaturated aesthetics of its contemporaries, such as *Gears of War* and *Fallout 3*. However, this "corroded" version of the city had an unexpected side effect: it made playtesters physically ill.</p>
<p>Senior producer Owen O'Brien explained that the project originally looked like any other Unreal Engine title of that era. He noted that moving through a hyper-detailed, grimy world at high speeds quickly triggered motion sickness. "We discovered that the nausea was significantly reduced by making the environments cleaner and less intricate," O'Brien stated.</p>
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<p>It seems players' equilibrium practically demanded a more polished, minimalist visual style. This physiological feedback ultimately worked in the game's favor, helping *Mirror's Edge* escape the "brown and gray" trend that dominated the 2008 gaming landscape.</p>
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<p>Art director Johannes Söderqvist described the initial art style as "generic," featuring stereotypical dystopian elements like dilapidated New York-style rooftops and rusted water towers. While he admitted it looked "good" in a traditional sense, it lacked a distinctive identity. By pivoting away from that gritty realism, the team traded urban decay for the sleek, futuristic silver spires that now define the series.</p>
<p><em>Looking for more high-flying action? After an 11-year hiatus, Assassin's Creed Mirage has brought back the dedicated jump button, a parkour staple fans have missed since the days of Unity.</em></p>
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Source: gamesradar.com
