In conjunction with the launch of God of War Ragnarok, Sony Interactive Entertainment Asia along with CASETiFY introduced the CASETiFY x God of War Ragnarok case collection.
The collection features illustrations and designs from Asia-based illustrators namely Gyung Studio (South Korea), Chien Chih Kang (Taiwan), James Khoo Fuk-lung (Hong Kong), and Jappy Agoncillo (Philippines).
CASETiFY x God of War Ragnarok Collection – Gyung Studio
Lee Kyu Young or Gyung Studio is a South Korean artist famous for illustrations depicting the day-to-day lives of his partner, two cats, and his love of basketball.
“This collaboration project is unique and challenging for me as I had never worked on video-game-related illustration before. Moreover, God of War’s theme is very different from my own drawing style and theme. As I’ve researched for stories and references from God of War (2018) game, the relationship between the father and son came to my attention first, and I thought it was more like a family story, which is relatable to everyone. As a result, I thought it would be nice to highlight Kratos and Atreus relationship by drawing the two of them in my own light-hearted style as they are preparing to battle together against their adversities.”
CASETiFY x God of War Ragnarok Collection – Chien Chih Kang
Chien Chih Kang is an ink artist, antique restorer, transmedia artist, and popular character designer. His works have the beauty of oriental culture, including ink painting, calligraphy, murals, ukiyo-e, and more. He incorporates contemporary pop figures with a strong traditional Asian art feel.
“For this God of War Ragnarök collaboration, I presented the main characters in the style of ukiyo-e or traditional Japanese frescoes, depicting dramatic duel of Kratos and Atreus against Thor with the background of Fimbulwinter snow, as imprinted in my work.”
CASETiFY x God of War Ragnarok Collection – James Khoo Fuk-lung
James Khoo Fuk-lung is a popular and iconic Hong Kong comic artist and illustrator. His publications include The Lawless(鐵將縱橫), Dragon Lord(龍神), Amazing Weapons 4(神兵4), The 8th Copper Man in Shaolin(少林寺第八銅人), Kung Fu(功夫), Kill The King(刺•皇) and many more.
His drawing style was heavily influenced by American comics and Japanese manga artists. His work was representational in style and color and meticulously detailed.
“As a gamer myself, I have played games on PlayStation consoles for leisure while sometimes my gaming experience did inspire me for my comic creation. This is the first time I created artwork for characters from video games, so I am very excited and challenged by this collaboration. As I’ve learned more about God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök, I decided to set the artwork theme to represent the solidarity between Kratos and Atreus in combat, as well as the unity power of Father and Son, reflected in drawing with my comic visual style.”
CASETiFY x God of War Ragnarok Collection – Jappy Agoncillo
Lastly, Jappy Agoncillo is a muralist and illustrator from the Philippines. His works are a mix of various interests and experiences. This results in pieces that are heavily layered with rich and vibrant colors and detail to tell a story. He has worked with international fashion, film, technology, and lifestyle brands, as well as having works in New York, Los Angeles, and Mumbai.
“The artwork is heavily inspired by the myths that gave rise to not only the recent God of War games, but its predecessors as well. I wanted a piece that was packed full of easter eggs and story details, just as rich as the storytelling is from ancient Greek and Norse Mythology. I used the myths as a basis for the elements included, like Jormungandr wrapping itself around the artwork just as the myths suggest it wraps itself around the world, Skoll and Hati teasing the beginning of Ragnarok, the flames of Muspelheim and the ice of Fimbulwinter – a call to how the Norse world began and how it will eventually end. What I wanted for the artwork is not only to showcase the growth and relationship of our main protagonists, but also where they come from, what they’ve been through, and what lies ahead.”
The CASETiFY x God of War Ragnarok collection is now available via the official website and all CASETiFY STUDiO stores in Hong Kong.
Ram found his love and appreciation for writing in 2015 having started in the gaming and esports sphere for GG Network. He would then transition to focus more on the world of tech which has also began his journey into learning more about this world. That said though, he still has the mentality of "as long as it works" for his personal gadgets.