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Back to Design and Architecture

Design and Architecture

Redesigning the Los Angeles of 1947

L.A. Noire is a video game released today by the company that brought you Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. It was created for Rockstar by Team Bondi in Sydney and it is an homage to the Los Angeles depicted in noir films and hard-boiled pulp fiction. How did the game designers recreate the Los Angeles of 1947? Did they get it right?

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    By Frances Anderton • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    L.A. Noire is a video game released today by the company that brought you Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. It was created for Rockstar by Team Bondi in Sydney and it is an homage to the Los Angeles depicted in noir films and hard-boiled pulp fiction. How did the game designers recreate the Los Angeles of 1947? Did they get it right? Frances talks to John Buntin, author of the book LA Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City, Team Bondi production designer Simon Wood, and technology and design expert Marissa Gluck.

    Stills from the game L.A. Noire

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

    • KCRW placeholder

      John Buntin

      author, 'LA Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Simon Wood

      Team Bondi

    • KCRW placeholder

      Marissa Gluck

      design writer

      Culture
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