Niklas Åkerblad

Åkerblad has received widespread acclaim for his art in video games. In 2008, Åkerblad created the concept art, which the game Colosseum by Shortfuse Games is based on.[7] Åkerblad worked as a character designer and animator at Shortfuse Games.[8]

In 2010, while discussing collaboration for a potential space exploration game with Swedish game developer Erik Svedang, Åkerblad was tasked with creating all the art. Svedang and Åkerblad collaborated closely to design and complete Kometen. Åkerblad created all the art using watercolor, and the game would later be described as a "gorgeous exploration experience".[9] For Kometen's art, Åkerblad set out to create visually stimulating planets for the player to discover. Each planet represented a different message, such as paranoia, unseen danger, and deceit. Åkerblad explained that he wanted his art for the game to communicate what words could not with the player.[10]

In 2012, Åkerblad illustrated the cover art for the top-down action game Hotline Miami, as well as the successor Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, citing the Silent Hill franchise as a major influence. The Hotline Miami cover brought Åkerblad to receive critical acclaim and mainstream attention, when Hotline Miami quickly sold more than 1.5 million copies, despite rampant pirating. Åkerblad's cover art became iconic when Hotline Miami gained cult followings, with Åkerblad's cover art being its primary identity.[11] Dennis Wedin and Jonatan Söderström, the creators of Hotline Miami, based some of the game's characters on real people; Åkerblad was immortalized as Beard, who returns as a playable character in Wrong Number. Beard typically stays behind the counter and talks about ongoing events, referring to previous gameplay.

After collaborating with game designer Erik Svedang on several games, Åkerblad took on the art for the 3D adventure game Else Heart.Break() which was published in 2015.[12] Åkerblad's art was recognized again when Else Heart.Break() was nominated for a 2015 IGF Excellence in Visual Art Award.[12][13] When asked about the unique visual style of Else Heart.Break(), Åkerblad stated "the Swedish television program Skrot-Nisse started to become a major influence. It’s a puppet show, and all the scenography is handmade and very elaborate in its execution, creating an almost over-saturated level of detail."[14]

Åkerblad is also a musician with an extensive discography. He created prominent tracks for Hotline Miami and Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number, such as "Crush", "Daisuke", "Turf", "Ghost", and "Rust". Åkerblad was asked to create more music for Hotline Miami, after its creators listened to his track titled "Daisuke" and wanted this particular style and mood of lo-fi heart-pounding music in the game. When asked by Timothy Courtney what was a turning point for Åkerblad's music, Åkerblad replied "Shelby Cinca played guitar on Daisuke, which was the indisputable breakthrough for my music". Åkerblad's music was later recognized when Hotline Miami received the 2012 IGN Best PC Sound Award.[15] Åkerblad's music received further acclaim when the soundtrack for Hotline Miami won The 2012 Best Music of the Year Award from PC Gamer Magazine.[16] In 2014, a 3-disc vinyl album was released containing the tracks for both Hotline Miami games, which featured prominent tracks by Åkerblad, along with tracks by M|O|O|N and Perturbator. Åkerblad also created the album cover art for the double soundtrack release.[17] In 2015, Åkerblad created the vast majority of the sound track for the adventure game Else Heart.Break().[18] Åkerblad is a member of the rock band Crystal Boys. In 2014, Crystal Boys released their debut album "Let It Slip".[19] Åkerblad has created a discography of more than 100 tracks.[20] Under his El Huervo moniker he also produced music for the Steamworld Dig 2 game.

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