Bendy and the Ink Machine: Chapter ? - The Archives
- This article refers to the extra Bendy and the Ink Machine chapter. For other uses, see Archives (disambiguation).
Chapter ?: The Archives is an extra chapter in Bendy and the Ink Machine. It was unlocked upon completing the game, and can be accessed in the chapter selection menu.
Summary
"Bendy and the Ink Machine" began when the developer/cartoonist known as theMeatly experimented with bringing a sketched 2D style into a 3D world. After turning the idea into a horror game, Chapter One of the game was created in a little under a week with programmer/friend Mike Mood and released on February 10th in 2017. Much to their surprise, it struck a chord with global indie gamers almost overnight. theMeatly and Mike Mood decided to drop all other projects to work on Bendy and tell a most unique ink story.
The entire game was completed a chapter at a time in a year and a half by a small but dedicated group of indie developers. Although the concept and story remained as originally intended, the game changed over development as characters and models were refined from their early 'thrown-together' versions. This archive is a peek behind the scenes at that process.
Walkthrough
The chapter sets in a museum-like area, which actually reuses the ballroom layout. Its purpose is to display static models of characters and enemies seen across all five chapters, including their early designs. Some of the characters have boards with either a brief description of the character or insight on their development. Most of the concept art by theMeatly and Gavin McCarthy are seen hanging on the walls.
This location plays the clarinet cover of "I'll Be Your Angel".
Map
List of models and descriptions
Henry Stein
- Main article: Henry Stein
Once an equal business partner of Joey Drew, Henry Stein was a talented animator and character designer until leaving the company around 1930. His place and Joey Drew Studios history is somewhat undocumented, but he is often rumored to be the true creator behind many of the studio's most memorable characters.
The Ink Demon
- Main articles: Ink Demon and Beast Bendy
- Concept Bendy - This is the first version of Bendy ever modeled in the the earliest concepts Bendy was much smaller (and cuter) with a face that split open to reveal a terrifying mouth.
- Alpha Bendy - This is the original game-used design of Ink Bendy from earliest version of Chapter One. It is jokingly referred to as "Bird Poop with a Smile" among the development team.
- Beta Bendy - This was Ink Bendy's form until the release of Chapter 4. At that time the game received a major visual upgrade and the title character got a new model as well.
- Ink Bendy - Ink Bendy as we know him today. Although similar to Beta Bendy, this upgraded version was remodeled, enhanced with higher polygon count and given new ink effects.
- Beast Bendy - Ink Bendy's horrific final form in Chapter Five pulled away the cartoon facade and revealed the demon within.
Searchers
- Main article: Searchers
- Beta Searchers - Early in development with a few weeks to create Chapter Two, the Beta Searchers were designed in record time before being fully retooled later on. They were the first fighting enemies encountered in the game.
- Final Searchers - The final Searchers were far more robust in appearance. They were smoother with better ink effects and a more human appearance.
Sammy Lawrence
- Main article: Sammy Lawrence (ink realm)
- Beta Sammy - With his first appearance in Chapter Two, fan favorite Sammy Lawrence became a terrifyingly entertaining character. When his slim build was deemed not threatening enough he was redesigned and given a better skeletal rig for more advanced animation.
- Final Sammy - Sammy Lawrence's final form came complete with a bulked up stature and more powerful limbs. The mad songwriter may finally get noticed now, at least by fans.
Boris the Wolf
- Main article: Boris the Wolf (ink realm)
- Beta Boris - "Papa" was the original name of the character that eventually become Boris the Wolf. This early version was released with Chapter One. He was quickly refined into the Boris we know today with the release of Chapter Two.
- Boris the Wolf - Boris the Wolf, a friend to the end, was designed using various references from cartoons of the 1920s. A blend of west coast and east coast animation styles, this silent and supportive wolf won over the hearts of many... although at times he was a headache to the development team due to his AI taking on a mind of its own during production.
- Brute Boris - Alice Angel's monstrosity, Brute Boris, was one of the biggest surprises of Chapter 4. His design was roughly based on the Frankenstein monster but with a more unfinished appearance. Alice took parts from within him and substituted things that his body is rapidly rejecting.
The Ink Machine
- Main article: Ink Machine
Before a major visual upgrade, this version of the Ink Machine was the one used in the game. Much of this machine's iconic, fan-loved design was translated into the final version.
The Butcher Gang
- Main article: Butcher Gang (ink realm)
The Piper, Striker, and Fisher make up the dreaded Butcher Gang. Interestingly, the "ink corrupted" versions of the characters were designed first and then were reversed engineered into their more family-friendly cartoon forms.
Other characters
Other characters and enemies that exist in The Archives but do not have their own descriptions include:
Other entities that are absent in The Archives include: The Projectionist, giant Bendy hand, final version of the Dead Boris clone, Joey Drew, and all Searcher variants.
List of concept art
Behind the scenes
Inspirations
- See also: List of BioShock references
The chapter's museum is likely a nod to the Museum of Orphaned Concepts exhibit from certain editions of BioShock as well as The Columbian Archeological Society museum from BioShock Infinite.
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