See the painstaking craft behind Unreal Engine 5 stop-motion game Out of Words
Creative Bloq
by Joe Foley February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Unreal Engine 5 is renowned for its ability to create stunningly realistic 3D visuals, but not every title embraces this signature aesthetic. Out of Words, a stop-motion platformer announced at The Game Awards 2025 by Kong Orange and WiredFly in collaboration with Epic Games Publishing, showcases the meticulous craftsmanship behind blending traditional artistry with cutting-edge technology. This two-player cooperative game follows Kurt and Karla, silent heroes guided by Prince, as they navigate Vokabulantis to retrieve their lost voices. The development process highlights the painstaking effort required to create unique stop-motion characters, particularly Prince, whose personality-driven design emphasizes depth over mere style.
The creation of Prince involved numerous iterations, from early concept sketches to final 3D models. Art Director Mikkel Maltesen shared how the team focused on conveying his 'coolness' through character traits rather than flashy attire. This approach underscores the importance of storytelling in stop-motion animation, where subtle details like expressions and movements bring characters to life. Senior Fabricator Sofie Kjær revealed the intricate process of crafting Prince’s puppet, including creating 45 unique mouth shapes and six distinct forehead expressions. The team used ZBrush for sculpting and Maya for rigging before bringing the character to life through 3D printing, hand-painting, and carving.
This level of craftsmanship is a testament to the tactile, human quality that stop-motion animation brings to gaming. By combining traditional techniques with state-of-the-art game engines like Unreal Engine 5, developers can seamlessly integrate filmed sequences with interactive mechanics, resulting in art pieces that feel multidisciplinary and uniquely engaging. This approach not only appeals to players but also offers inspiration for designers looking to push the boundaries of visual storytelling.
For those interested in design, Out of Words exemplifies how stop-motion animation can add a distinct, handcrafted charm to digital projects. It highlights the potential of merging traditional art forms with modern technology, creating games that stand out for their authenticity and creativity. The project also underscores the importance of
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Originally published on Creative Bloq on 2/24/2026