King of Meat Takes Inspiration From Two Wildly Different Sources

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King of Meat Takes Inspiration From Two Wildly Different Sources

As a seasoned gamer who has traversed through countless realms of digital fantasy, I must say that the announcement of Glowmade’s “King of Meat” has certainly piqued my interest. The fusion of two seemingly incongruous influences – the whimsical charm of Labyrinth and the high-octane spectacle of WWE – promises a gaming experience that is as unique as it is entertaining.

The opening event of Gamescom was brimming with thrilling revelations, and one noteworthy announcement was Glowmade’s “King of Meat.” This title is categorized as a 4-player cooperative hack-and-slash game where players will fight their way through a series of dungeons teeming with colossal fantasy creatures and extravagant obstacles.

From the game’s unveiling trailer at Gamescom ONL and the preceding animated short, it is evident that the game “King of Meat” boasts a unique and robust sense of style and humor. In an exclusive interview with Game Rant, Glowmade’s Studio Head Jonny Hopper shared some intriguing details about the two primary inspirations shaping the game’s distinctive look.

King of Meat’s Influences Couldn’t Be More Different

WWE and Labyrinth Are King of Meat’s Primary Influences

When developing a hack-and-slash game situated in an absurd fantasy realm where a lethal game show serves as the main form of amusement, it’s only logical that the creators of “King of Meat,” Glowmade, drew inspiration from similar media. However, the sources that Hopper mentioned during his interview with Game Rant are strikingly diverse:

Six years back, a group of us gamers gathered together, pondering over our shared passions. Among them were the magical world of Labyrinth, crafted by David Bowie and Jim Henson, and the electrifying spectacle of WWE wrestling. We mused, could we somehow blend these two worlds into a unique gaming experience?

1986 saw the debut of the Jim Henson-directed, David Bowie-starred movie “Labyrinth,” a unique cult classic recognized for its eccentric acting, memorable songs, and an abundance of intriguing Creature Shop puppets that tower over life-size. Although it garnered somewhat polarized reviews when first released in 1986, it has since become a staple of many childhoods and is frequently cited as a creative influence for projects that aren’t shy about exploring the realm of the absurd.

Of course, WWE needs no introduction. Televised professional wrestling has been happening for decades now, and it remains one of the most popular forms of sports entertainment due to its ongoing storylines, large-scale events, and iconic wrestlers. It makes complete sense that WWE has influenced King of Meat. It’s a little eye-catching though that it’s listed as one of the main sources of inspiration right alongside Labyrinth, as the two are exceptionally different in terms of tone and content.

How King of Meat’s WWE and Labyrinth Influences Can Be Seen in Gameplay

Upon rewatching the trailer for King of Meat, it becomes more apparent that it blends elements from both Labyrinth and WWE. The gameplay in King of Meat emphasizes colorful, attention-grabbing outfits. For instance, the trailer presents characters such as a knight caretaker with tiny dragons in a carrier, a skeleton wearing a top hat and playing a guitar, and a squid donning a lifebuoy – costumes that seem like logical extensions of WWE’s wrestler attire.

The adversaries in the game “King of Meat” seem to take inspiration from the whimsical style of “Labyrinth,” featuring charming skeletons, grinning trolls, and floating brains with mohawks. It’ll be exciting to discover more about how WWE and “Labyrinth” have impacted “King of Meat” as the game releases, although a specific launch date hasn’t been announced yet.

King of Meat is currently in development for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

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2024-08-27 17:53