The Metro franchise, a post-apocalyptic saga born from the novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky, celebrated its 15th anniversary on March 16th, 2025. PLAION and 4A games sought to commemorate this milestone with a visually arresting and emotionally resonant video that would honour the series' legacy and resonate with its passionate fanbase. They entrusted Biborg to bring this vision to life.
Challenge
The challenge was to encapsulate 15 years of a complex, narrative-driven universe within a 4-minute video. To do so, we first had to dive into gigabytes of footage and knit them together narratively to capture the essence of the Metro universe: its bleak beauty, harrowing atmosphere, and compelling characters. Of course, appealing to long-time fans by highlighting iconic moments and the franchise's evolution was essential. We wanted to make sure every kind of Metro memory was featured in the video.
At the same time, we wanted to create a cinematic experience and deliver both a visually stunning and emotionally engaging movie that transcended the typical anniversary tribute. Collaborating closely with PLAION’s teams and 4A Games, we were able to get unique footage recorded by key people (and absolute fan heroes) from the studio especially for the anniversary.
Our approach
Overall, we embarked on an intensive creative process, beginning with a deep dive into the last 15 years of the Metro universe.
Extensive research: immersing ourselves in the games and fan communities to understand the franchise's core themes and emotional touchpoints.
Conceptual development: brainstorming and developing a narrative arc that would weave together key moments from the series, showcasing its evolution and impact.
Storyboarding and visual development: creating detailed storyboards and visual concepts to guide the video's pacing, composition, and visual style.
Collaboration with PLAION and 4A Games: working closely with the publisher and the developers to ensure accuracy and authenticity in the portrayal of the Metro universe.
Production and post-production: utilizing state-of-the-art cinematic techniques, including motion graphics, visual effects, and sound design, to create a visually stunning and emotionally impactful experience.
Sound design and music: crafting a unique soundscape and musical score that complemented the visuals and enhanced the emotional resonance of the video.
Result
“It’s been 15 years since the release of Metro 2033 and since then, there have been three mainline games, two epic remasters and one terrifying VR experience. Biborg understood that it was important for us to celebrate this impressive milestone in a way that not only honours the series but gives thanks to our devoted community. As a creative partner, Biborg really helped us in bringing our vision to life in a video our fans will appreciate.”
Marvin Hall, Director of Franchise, PLAION
The Metro 15th anniversary video was met with widespread acclaim from both PLAION, 4A Games and the Metro community.
> Read the official post on the 4A Games website
Overall, our main video generated significant engagement across social media platforms, with cutdowns posted on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. It received positive reviews from gaming publications and influencers alike. Talents were genuinely elated to have been featured in the video.
Conclusion
“We were honoured to be a part of this project and to pay tribute to such a beloved and influential franchise. Our goal was to create a video that evoked the emotions and memories that Metro has instilled in players over the years to celebrate the fantastic community.”
Kais Ali Benali, Chief Business Officer at Biborg
The Metro 15th anniversary video stands as a testament to Biborg's ability to craft immersive and emotionally resonant cinematic experiences.