Star Wars Artist Breaks Down Helldivers 2

In this episode of Main Quest, veteran concept artist Jeremy Cook offers a fascinating look into how some of gaming and film’s most iconic sci-fi worlds are actually designed, drawing from his work on franchises like Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Halo, DOOM, and Quake. What begins as a discussion about art direction quickly evolves into a broader conversation about the balance between realism and imagination in science fiction, and why great design isn’t just about making something functional, but making it feel believable and emotionally resonant.

Cook reflects on his time at Industrial Light & Magic and Blur Studio, sharing stories about designing technology for Star Wars, the rebellious creative culture that shaped early game cinematics, and the transition of film talent into the gaming industry as games became increasingly cinematic. More than anything, the interview captures the passion and obsessive attention to detail behind worldbuilding, showing how the best artists don’t just create cool visuals, they create worlds that players genuinely believe could exist.