Greetings, Gumshoes! Community Manager Cass here with another Dev Diary update. Today, we're pulling back the curtain on how we brought Carmen Sandiego and her rival, Paper Star, from 2D to 3D. I sat down with our talented concept artists, Jane and Amee, to get the inside scoop on the design process, the creative challenges, and the subtle details that helped shape these iconic characters for their new game environment. Here’s what they had to share about making Carmen and Paper Star come to life in 3D!
Carmen Sandiego: Staying True to the Icon
In bringing Carmen Sandiego to life in 3D, our primary goal was to preserve her iconic look that fans instantly recognize while giving her a fresh take for the game’s immersive environments. Staying true to the sharp, angular style from the Netflix series, we made sure Carmen’s silhouette remained bold and striking, especially with her famous trench coat. We kept the corners of her coat sharp and cartoonish, capturing the essence of her animated design in a new dimension.
To achieve a blend of 2D and 3D, we used subtle shading techniques, sticking to simple and flat colors to evoke the original animated feel, while adding just enough depth for Carmen to stand out. We carefully tuned her red palette to pop in a 3D space, highlighting her signature color without losing the smooth, classic animation look. Our goal was to celebrate Carmen’s familiar style, ensuring longtime fans would feel that spark of nostalgia, while making her look just as appealing to new audiences who are meeting her for the first time.
Paper Star: A Dangerous Elegance
Paper Star’s character design presented a different challenge, blending her delicate and dangerous qualities with a Harajuku-inspired aesthetic. Staying close to her look in the Netflix animated series, we kept her sharp and angular features intact, emphasizing her striking yet elegant style. Our concept artist, Amee, introduced unique details like her ripped stockings and an extra belt, adding a fresh twist to her outfit while retaining her distinct visual identity.
These details add layers to Paper Star’s appearance, capturing her unpredictable nature. Her design embraces Japanese influences, not only respecting her roots but also enhancing her individuality in the world of Carmen Sandiego. Balancing her elegance with a hint of danger was key to preserving her character’s essence while giving her a fresh edge for the game.
Our Design Philosophy: Blending Nostalgia with Freshness
For both Carmen and Paper Star, we approached the 3D transition with a commitment to their Netflix-inspired stylization. Our aim was to capture their animated essence while adding just enough detail to make them feel at home in the game’s environments. Every decision was made with long-time fans in mind, preserving the nostalgic appeal of the beloved scarlet-clad super thief, while introducing subtle updates to welcome new fans into the Carmen Sandiego universe.
These aren’t the only characters joining the world of Carmen Sandiego! Who else will be making an appearance? Guess you’ll have to play to find out.
The infamous globetrotter is releasing on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam March 4 2025. Pre-Orders for Console are available now! Don’t forget to wishlist on Steam.
For more information and to sign up for updates, visit www.carmensandiego-game.com and join the conversation on our social channels:
Instagram: @theofficialcarmensandiego
X (Twitter): @carmensandiego
Facebook: Carmen Sandiego
Discord: https://discord.gg/carmensandiego
See you out there, gumshoes!