What are some of the weirdest inspiration references you've used for weapons and props?

I guess we could say, I don't know, the turtle. That came about because one of the concept artists just drew a tiny thumbnail of a table or something, and there was a little turtle on it. And we were just like, well, it's in the concept, so we're going to have to make it now. So we made the turtle.

I think the weirdest is a tough one. I mean, I find myself always referencing the automotive industry for a lot of stuff, I guess. And I couldn't put my finger on something that stood out as being exceptionally weird. I reference a lot of just general gadgets and electronics and keyboards and...

Usually when you want reference, you're referencing something pretty close to what you want, or at least very accurate, be that geometry or materials.

Yeah, there's two sorts of references. There's the visual reference that you're going for, and then there's the functionality reference that you're going for. So if you're trying to find reference for something that's functional, the best thing you can do is look at how that problem has already been solved. And then what you need to do is take that core element of, okay, these are the core mechanics that I need to use to resolve what I'm trying to do. And then how do I aesthetically make that pleasing and fit the manufacturer or the art style or just our universe? And those two things go hand in hand. So it might be that you're referencing a great big digger for some of its mechanical functions, but then you're translating that into a small little detail that you're using on a weapon or a prop or a ship or whatever it might be. When it comes to references, there's loads of variation. But as Jake says, if you're looking at switches and dials, because you're adding some switches and dials to the back of an asset, then generally you're looking down into those details.