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Goal: £60,000

So Far: £124,000

End: February 1st

Overview

[lock-on] Volume 005, the newest instalment in our series of quarterly journals, is the most robust yet. Every section is entirely tailored to its subject. Die-cut pages and dynamic layouts breathe more life into our cultural exploration of games than even the elaborate spreads of Volume 004. 

Our evolved design principles are matched by more robust narratives, accentuated by industry names who offer perspective to our prose. From Naughty Dog’s Matthew Gallant to Half Mermaid’s Sam Barlow, more than twenty of the included essays explore the medium alongside the visionaries who shape it. 

Featuring concept art galleries and long-form interviews, 005 offers an intimate look behind the curtain of game development while also reimagining its output through expressive visual lenses. The harmony of textual analysis, evocative artwork, and exclusive materials will resonate with all curious games enthusiasts.

Available across three editions, Standard (£19.99), Premium (£49.99), and Deluxe (£99.99), [lock-on] Volume 005 offers myriad entry points into its over 260-page journey across 2022’s biggest games and the industry’s illustrious past.

Volume

005

Works

[lock-on]

Specification

260+ pages
245 × 200 mm
Printed on Arctic Matt 130gsm
Casebound hardcover
Casebound Ltd 1000/1000

Deluxe Edition

Funding campaign exclusive

Release Date

Shipping Q2 2023

[lock-on] 005 softcover [lock-on] 005 softcover
[lock-on] 005 softcover
£14.99
[lock.on] 005 Hardcover [lock.on] 005 Hardcover
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[lock.on] 005 Hardcover
£49.99

The Story So Far…

While Volume 005 can be fully enjoyed without having read past instalments, the canon of [lock-on] revels in its opportunity to present an overarching, evolving account of games culture. From Volume 001’s PlayStation emphasis to Volume 003’s examination of the Sega Dreamcast, every journal posits a timeless series of essays and now-iconic illustrations to enjoy. 


From Nier and Hollow Knight to Pikmin and Luigi’s Mansion, [lock-on]: The Story So Far’s subject matter sprawls across time and space. Volume 005 is just its latest chapter in the never-ending quest to chronicle the defining moments and nuances of the art form.

[lock-on] 001 R Softcover [lock-on] 001 R Softcover
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[lock-on] 001 R Softcover
£14.99
[lock-on] 002 R Softcover [lock-on] 002 R Softcover
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[lock-on] 002 R Softcover
£14.99
[lock-on] 003 Hardcover [lock-on] 003 Hardcover
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[lock-on] 003 Hardcover
£50.00
[lock-on] 003 Softcover [lock-on] 003 Softcover
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[lock-on] 003 Softcover
£14.99
[lock-on] 004 Hardcover [lock-on] 004 Hardcover
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[lock-on] 004 Hardcover
£50.00
[lock-on] 004 Softcover [lock-on] 004 Softcover
[lock-on] 004 Softcover
£14.99

A Glimpse Inside Volume 005

  • Turtle Power

    Holes torn by tossed Foot Clan Soldiers adorn our TMNT retrospective written by Dave Cook, featuring the legendary Kevin Eastman alongside contributions from Dotemu and Digital Eclipse’s Chris Kohler. Supported by kinetic artwork from Sam McKenzie, this essay will take you through each mutation of the iconic series.

  • Scorn

    Indulge in the nuances of Scorn’s aesthetic through an exclusive conversation with Ebb Software as guided by Ewan Wilson. Revel in the body horror brilliance as you become enveloped in its grandeur across a robust gallery of conceptual material and sketches which became the foundation for Scorn’s macabre wonderland.

  • A Day In September

    Palimpsest reminders of civilisation peek through nature which has reclaimed the landscape in George Outhwaite’s evocative The Last of Us paintings. Each piece is set alongside a thematic exploration of Naughty Dog’s seminal post-apocalypse. Nic Reuben, Jon Bailes, and Steven Scaife all find meaning within TLOU’s haunted beauty, while Abram Buehner explores Part I’s emotional charges in conversation with Naughty Dog’s Matthew Gallant and Shaun Escayg.

  • Guy Walks Into A Bar

    Rowen Cameron adventures through the history of Monkey Island, guided by the perspectives of Ron Gilbert, Tim Schafer, Dave Grossman and Dominic Amato. Their retrospective navigation is elevated by Stephen Graham’s timeless visual style and a gallery of high-quality packaging scans from The Video Game History Foundation and Arkotype.

  • Immortal

    The match-cut mastery of Half Mermaid’s expert blend of cinema and games is unravelled by Jamie Sharp and Sam Barlow, who together dive into the literary and filmic inspirations which brought Immortality to life. Supported by a gallery of never-before-seen production imagery, the mystery of Marissa Marcel is joyfully reflected upon.

  • Bit Trip

    There’s no doubt that the Blue Bomber helped define the 8-bit generation, and this iconic status is due in part to Mega Man’s soundtracks. Mohammed Taher, Director of Brave Wave Music, sits down with Manami Matsumae, the composer of Mega Man 1, to revisit those chiptune classics. Accompanied by artwork from Nuri Durr, this time capsule will reinvigorate your fondness for the NES era.

And More To Be Revealed!

Rollerdrome

Previously exclusive to BitSummit, this Rollerdrome poster has been reborn on premium Transclear Radiant White 135gsm paper. The exquisite feel of the material accentuates the kinetic maelstrom of action unfolding across the piece.

Included exclusively with the Deluxe Edition of 005

Immortality

Immortalised on opulent Sirio Pearl Oyster Shell 230 gsm paper, this Immortality print is perhaps the Deluxe Edition’s crowning item. Each backer will receive a unique, numbered frame from the footage used to create the game’s key art and iconic reveal trailer. These individualised prints aptly embody the kaleidoscopic nature of Immortality’s sprawling structure.

Included exclusively with the Deluxe Edition of 005

Norco

Without a doubt, Norco is among the most poignant experiences of 2022. Its rich artistic backdrop is included within the Deluxe twofold: through an A5 postcard set (which is also included with the Premium Edition) and the illustrious Norco A3*. Both are printed on luxurious Italian Tintoretto Neve paper.

*Included exclusively with the Deluxe Edition of 005

Ojiro Fumoto

In [lock-on] tradition, we also have a bespoke bookmark for you. Volume 005’s is a double-sided Downwell and Poinpy piece which riffs on the games’ inverted approaches to the vertical platformer. It’s markedly whimsical and equally premium, produced on Italian Tintoretto Neve paper.

Included exclusively with the Deluxe Edition of 005

Versus

[versus] cards are another marquee element of [lock-on], The Knight and Hornet foil cards from Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight feature perhaps our best compositions yet. Conceptualised by Ramón Perales Cano, these cards alone are essential.


Included exclusively with the Deluxe Edition of 005

Stickers

Stickers have similarly become a [lock-on] staple, and 005’s Deluxe includes three: two from Cult of the Lamb, and the third from The Tomorrow Children. No Deluxe would be complete without them.

Included exclusively with the Deluxe Edition of 005

Papercraft

Our first stretch goal, unlocked at £70,000, is a fantastic TUNIC papercraft*. Created in collaboration with the model maestro Ellie Sampson (who last lent her talents to Lost In Cult for Sable: Design Works), this little craft pays loving tribute to perhaps 2022’s most adorable mascot — TUNIC’s Fox.

*Final Design TBC

Included exclusively with the Deluxe Edition of 005