MVRDV’s Marble Arch Mound has been recreated within a modified version of video game series Duke Nukem that lets disheartened visitors destroy the tourist attraction.
The mound, which was designed by architecture company MVRDV, has been added to video game designer Dan Douglas‘ Duke Smoochem 3D.
“To me, the mound represents a total failure of concept, planning, execution and aesthetics, a literal monument to ugly unnecessity,” Douglas told Dezeen.
“Additionally, the structure itself resembled a simplistic low-polygon render so I thought that using a decades-old video game engine to depict it was fitting.”
demolishing the Marble Arch Mound, in Duke Nukem 3D pic.twitter.com/Kcr65e1M0z
— Dan Douglas (@dandouglas) July 31, 2022
Commissioned by Westminster City Council, London’s Marble Arch Mound was designed to encourage shoppers to return to Oxford Street in the aftermath of the pandemic.
However, the mound was criticised by guests, with MVRDV blaming Westminster City Council’s “loveless execution of our designs”.
“I hope it’s a satisfying or perhaps even cathartic moment for disappointed visitors, or indeed anyone sick of seeing millions thrown at ill-advised, badly-run projects,” said Douglas.
“Blowing up things in video games is always good fun, and blowing up something not only recognizable but also widely loathed will hopefully be a hit with players.”
Destroy the mound in Duke Smoochem 3D
Douglas started the Duke Smoochem 3D project when former health secretary Matt Hancock was caught on CCTV kissing his aide.
“The mod began as a quick gag to recreate CCTV capturing Matt Hancock’s affair using Duke Nukem 3D’s security camera feature, and it kind of snowballed from there to encompass as many British absurdities as I can cram in,” Douglas said.
Elsewhere, London’s Imperial War Museum is opening a new exhibition called ‘War Games’ that includes a retro gaming zone.
Video game IP is being transformed into various LBE experiences, from Ubisoft escape rooms to Universal’s Super Nintendo World. The mound in Duke Smoochem 3D is a rare example of a visitor attraction featuring in a video game.
Images: Dan Douglas
