TRT World has had the privilege of sitting down with the young mastermind behind the enthralling artwork for "Swords of Saladin: The Conqueror of Jerusalem", a game that has captured the imagination of gamers worldwide. Meet 22-year-old Emre Kadioglu, the whiz kid who is turning heads in the world of digital art.
Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Emre has always had a passion for art and history. His journey into digital design started five years ago when he was just 17, delving into 3D modeling and graphic design as a way to narrate compelling stories visually.
Emre takes immense pride in citing the legendary Ottoman Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent, as his earliest art inspiration. Growing up, the architectural beauty of the Blue Mosque in his hometown sparked an appreciation for historical Islamic art. Over time, his interest in war strategy and games led him to create immersive experiences combining history, graphics, and thrilling gameplay.
"When designing the visuals for "Swords of Saladin", I envisioned 12th-century history springing to life, depicted with realism that modern players would be passionate about," said Emre, whose self-taught video game art expertise shines through in this epic historical narrative.
Today, Emre is eager to dive deeper into his next visually gripping project. "Most likely another conquest of some sort," chuckled the Turkish creative, flashing a faint mischievous grin while weighing his next artistic pursuits.