Following the massive wave of player interest sparked by the announcement trailer for HUMANKIND™ 2, Paris-based developer Amplitude Studios has released an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how the cinematic vision came together. The new making-of video offers gamers and media an intimate peek into the live-action production, physical props, and visual effects that brought thousands of years of human history to life.
Experiencing History Through a Newborn’s Eyes
Rather than observing civilisations from a distant aerial perspective, the reveal trailer takes an intimate, first-person point-of-view: seeing the world through the eyes of a newborn infant. Spanning 73 seconds and nine distinct historical eras—from prehistoric times to the modern age and beyond—viewers experience humanity’s journey through a rapid series of first breaths, first sights, and dramatic cultural encounters.
“Our ambition was to condense the breadth of human history into 73 seconds without losing its emotional weight,” said Benjamin Le Breton, Creative Director at agency partner BETC. “Seeing the world through the eyes of a newborn allowed us to move across nine different eras and reminds us that while every generation inherits the legacy of those before it, each one also has the opportunity to redefine the future.”
Practical Craftsmanship Meets Modern Visual Effects
Filmed on location at the Nu Boyana Film Studios in Sofia, Bulgaria, the production relied heavily on genuine practical sets, custom-crafted period costumes, live actors, and real animals (including chickens, horses, and a snake) to ground the trailer in tangible reality.
To bring the trailer to life, Amplitude Studios once again teamed up with creative agency BETC alongside visual effects house LiveFX. While the live-action footage captured authentic human emotion and tactile set detail, LiveFX integrated key CGI set pieces during post-production—such as dynamic weather, a roaring tornado, a nuclear blast, and futuristic space exploration scenes—to push the boundaries of scale.
The release of the behind-the-scenes breakdown directly addresses player curiosity regarding the cinematic’s distinct visual style, proving that physical sets, expert prop-making, and high-end compositing remain at the heart of Amplitude’s creative storytelling.
What’s Next for HUMANKIND™ 2?
Building on the foundation of the original 4X historical turn-based strategy game, HUMANKIND™ 2 promises enhanced visual fidelity, a modernised UI, new progression mechanics, and deeper ways for players to reshape history as climate change and evolving cultures impact the world stage.
HUMANKIND™ 2 is currently slated for release on PC in 2027, and players can already add the title to their Steam wishlist. For an even deeper dive into the making of the trailer, head over to the official HUMANKIND 2 page on the studio’s Amplifiers platform.
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