The Art of Bloodborne

It's finally here. The Gothic-horror hack n' slashing action-RPG Bloodborne is finally here. The spiritual successor to Hidetaka Miyazaki's previous franchise, the Souls series (Demons Souls and Dark Souls),  Bloodborne thrusts you into the role of a demon hunter ensnared within the towering monoliths and choked alleyways of ancient city besieged by a mysterious disease that transforms the weak of will and mind into monstrous abominations.

One of the most highly-anticipated titles to come out on the PS4 this year, the pre-release reviews for the game have joined together in almost unanimous choir of praise for the relentlessness and depth of its combat and the gorgeous creepiness of its art-style, owed entirely to the part of From Software's in-house roster of talented concept artists.

From Software is a very mysterious company, trying to find a list of credits of concept art and direction contributors to their latest gaming opus has been about as perilous as contending with the fell-beasts of Yharnam. We were able to track down the names of four artists attached to Bloodborne's macabre aesthetic; Lead Environment Artist Hikaru Wada, Senior Environment artist Marcos Domenech, Character Artist Max Puliero, and Senior Technical Character Artist Eduardo Mosena.

We'll try to hunt down more names to properly give these guys the due credit that they deserve, but in the mean-time check out our selection of concept images released throughout the game's development below the break. Enjoy!

There's A Man In The Woods

Everyone's dealt with their own dose of overactive imaginations when they were kids: Monsters under the bed, imaginary friends, and in the case of animator Jacob Streilein, that man in the woods. Placing his memories of a childhood experience regarding a playground rumor into an ever intensifying narrative rhyme, we're shown a world where a teacher ultimately pays the price for one kid's far fetched tall tales. Animated in Flash with backgrounds created in Photoshop.

When I was in elementary school, the older kids started a rumor that quickly made recess a terrifying experience. I've been wanting to make this film just so I had a place to put some of the details of that rumor.

Kangaroos Can't Jump Backwards

Ever find yourself in bed with your mind racing at a million miles an hour for some reason? This Rafael Mayrhofer directed short captures that stream of consciousness feel perfectly, with imagery coming in at a machine gun pace, thoughts coagulating, shattering and showing off the potential to head into a million different directions.

I mean it would be nice if we really could grow forever, but what if infinite growth on a finite planet is a fairytale? Maybe it's hard to see if you already grow at such an exhilarating speed. Nonsense facts mixed with history and a political opinion form an abstract narrative on three independent but interwoven levels.

Rone - Bye Bye Macadam

Absolutely loved this music video by French filmmaker Dimitri Stankowicz, which narrates the birth of the universe by the hand of a series of ancient beings locked in an ever more frenzied shamanic ritual of creation. The monochromatic video mainly centers around the journey of a star, from it's birth till it's disappearance inside a black hole.

The entire journey is nothing short of spellbinding, created thanks to a creatively unrestrained relationship between Rone and Dmitri, which allowed the music video to be imbued with an emotional intensity that we rarely see. Bye Bye Macadam is from Rone's recently released album, Tohu Bohu, which is definitely worth a listen.

Juveniles - THrought THe Night

This amazing new music video from the French duo Juveniles is straight from their debut EP, Juveniles which was recently released on iTunes. The music video is specially amazing in its own way, emphasizing an experience most people have dealt with at some point or the other: Dealing with that coach trying to push you farther than you ever thought possible. I kind of loved the subtlety of it, the lack of a happy ending and its grounding in reality, and appreciated the nod about keeping your chin up during 'those' days. Just fight it, and look forward to a better tomorrow.

Mission Chinese By Sunday Paper

Brace yourself for a pretty intense short about a Chinese cook with a knack for taking his craft of cooking as seriously as dealing with disrespectful customers. The quality of this short caught me off guard, with some incredible acting, stunning cinematography and some very memorable quotes from an assassin that I'd pay to see more of. Using an inner monologue reminiscent of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, the short does an amazing job of conveying just how intense and focused this 'chef' is, as he obsesses over his art, his god, his food. It left me wanting more, as in a full length version.

The short was written and directed by David Parker and Cole Schreiber, who you might remember from another equally excellent short known as Rest.

Cosmopolis : A Descent Into Madness

After reading up more about Robert Pattinson, I kind of realized that he wasn't half bad. Considering the disgusted stance he took to being considered a Twilight hunk, his involvement in this new Cronenberg flick might be a chance to prove to the world that he's got more up his sleeve than just being a glittery vampire and shed that entire stigma. David Cronenberg showcases his trademark surreal, sexual and hyperviolent notes full force in this minute long teaser.

The plot follows Eric Packer, a 28 year old Wall Street star dreaming of a luxurious future when his world gets turned upside down by an all in bet gone wrong. The movie follows Packer descending into a world of paranoia, madness and revelations over the course of 24 hours. The madness begins on May 24, 2012. On a side note, whats Stephanie Meyer up to? And a poster for Cosmopolis, after the  break.

Paths Of Hate

Damian Nemow's short has finally been released to the public...And man, its an absolutely mind blowing piece about a trait which drives people to do truly horrible things, and has the potential to peel away all reason, logic and humanity away from people. The intense short drops you in the middle of a narrative unfolding, with two rivals down to their last bullet, and drop of gas during a very personal dogfight...Just when you think they can go no further, they manage to delve even further into their inhumanity.

The short excels in its message about the power of hate, as well as its incredible cel shaded art style and sound treatment. We've been waiting to watch this short since February, and we're glad to say it delivers the goods. Be sure to share it with as many people as possible.

Gluttony By Chris Piotrowicz

Interesting concept with some pretty sweet execution. Chris Piotrowicz set out to capture the topic of consumption in the past, present and future. I kind of like how it spirals out of control over the course of the film, turning into a complete visual frenzy..Its a cool escalation over four minutes, with the perfect track accompaniment by Yck Fou.