WipEout Futurism: The Graphic Archives is the definitive illustrated history of the cult video game

Few video games have left a cultural footprint as enduring as WipEout. Released in the autumn of 1995 alongside the first PlayStation, it redefined high-speed racing games with its revolutionary 3D graphics, electronic music, and trailblazing design. For those lucky enough to experience it, WipEout was more than a game—it was a cultural shift.

Now, following on from its limited-edition title via Read-Only Memory in late 2023, the new WipEout Futurism by Thames & Hudson celebrates the legacy of this smoker’s delight creation set to the soundtrack of The Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy and Orbital. Written by gaming journalist Duncan Harris, this definitive illustrated history transports readers back to a time when creativity was at its most unconventional and experimental. From rarely-seen concept art to exclusive interviews, the book charts the game’s vision, development, and enduring cultural impact.

A key component in WipEout’s success was its striking visual identity, created by legendary Sheffield agency The Designers Republic (TDR). Known for defining the look of electronic music through their work with Warp Records and others, TDR brought their futuristic vision to the game, shaping its bold and innovative aesthetic. The book’s art direction comes from TDR alum Michael C Place of Studio Build, with a foreword by TDR founder Ian Anderson, grounding it firmly in the game’s design heritage.

“TDR was defining what electronic music looked like through its work for Warp and R&S Records, so it was a natural fit for WipEout,” says Michael. “We approached each racing team as a mini branding exercise, treating the game’s world-building from a graphic design perspective. The fact that we were trusted to do our thing with very few constraints was crucial. It allowed us to push the design as far as we could get away with.”

The book takes readers on a journey through WipEout’s development, with insights into how its futuristic aesthetic and world-building were deeply tied to the early days of electronic music. The Designers Republic’s sci-fi-inspired visual identity helped establish a blueprint for how design could elevate video games, making it an intrinsic part of the experience rather than an afterthought.

Michael believes WipEout’s influence on both gaming and graphic design is undeniable. “It inspired a generation of designers to pursue careers in the field. I’ve lost count of how many people have told me their fascination with graphic design started with WipEout. The game combined music, gameplay, and design into a seamless whole, which was incredibly forward-thinking at the time.”

The book also explores how music shaped WipEout’s identity, with contributions from Orbital’s Paul Hartnoll, sound designer Loïc Couthier, writer Damon Fairclough, and game director Stuart Tilley. “At the time, both music and gaming were finding their own identities,” Michael explains. “WipEout became a bridge, bringing them together through the lens of graphic design.”

Whether you’re a nostalgic fan or someone curious to discover WipEout’s brilliance for the first time, WipEout Futurism is an essential read. Packed with rare artwork, exclusive interviews, and rich storytelling, it’s a celebration of a game that broke the mould and redefined what video games could be.

As Michael aptly puts it: “The gameplay, the world-building, the music, the graphic design—all those elements were applied together, not separately. That integration was revolutionary and a privilege to be part of.”