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One of the things we enjoy most as prop makers is being asked to create something that has never existed before. Not because it is impossible. Just because nobody has built it yet.
Over the years, game developers and agencies have asked us to create everything from giant goats and life-size pirate heroes to lightning-powered fantasy weapons. In many cases, all we are given is a piece of artwork, a digital model or an in-game reference and asked to turn it into something people can walk around, photograph and interact with.
These projects combine sculpture, engineering, mould making, painting and sometimes a little problem-solving that was never in the original brief.
Here are three gaming projects where we helped turn pixels into physical reality.
Goat Simulator 3 at Gamescom
When Swipe Right PR approached us on behalf of Coffee Stain Studios, they had just seven weeks before Gamescom and wanted something impossible to ignore. The answer was Pilgor.
Standing eight feet tall, the fibreglass goat sculpture became the centrepiece of the Goat Simulator 3 stand. Complete with a detailed jetpack, lighting effects and flowing silk flames, the character brought the game's chaotic humour into the real world.
The process began with a full clay sculpture before moulding and casting the final fibreglass version. Internal wiring ran through the body and legs to power the lighting effects, while a custom metal framework supported the jetpack structure.
Alongside the giant sculpture, we also produced 500 promotional giveaway packs featuring wearable goat masks, comedy udders, bell necklaces, edible grass and branded stickers.
Sea of Thieves Characters at E3
For Microsoft Rare's Sea of Thieves, we were given front and rear illustrations of the characters Demarco and Lesedi and asked to turn them into life-size sculptures. While the artwork provided a strong starting point, it left a lot open to interpretation. We had to work out how the characters would look from every angle and translate the 2D illustrations into fully realised three-dimensional forms.
Working from front and rear illustrations, we translated the designs into life-size sculptures, carefully interpreting details that had never been visualised from every angle before. Large internal armatures supported hundreds of kilograms of clay during the sculpting phase before silicone moulds and fibreglass casts were produced. Every stage involved close collaboration with the client to ensure the final characters remained faithful to the original artwork.
The finished sculptures travelled internationally as part of Sea of Thieves promotional activity. It gave fans the opportunity to stand face-to-face with characters they previously knew only from concept art and the game itself.
Smite's Giant Chicken and Thor's Hammer
Some gaming props need to do more than simply look impressive. For a Smite activation through 05 Creative and Hi-Rez Studios, we were asked to create two iconic pieces from the game: a giant chicken character and Thor's hammer. The chicken was sculpted, moulded and cast in fibreglass before being mounted onto a treasure chest display complete with a flagpole. The result was a highly recognisable character that instantly connected with players familiar with the game.
Thor's hammer presented a different challenge. We wanted the lighting effect to behave like real lightning rather than a standard flashing light. To achieve this, bespoke LED programming was developed to create irregular flashes within translucent cast sections of the hammer.
The finished prop appeared to have crashed into the venue floor, complete with sculpted broken ground effects. It became a major talking point at the event and later travelled to the United States for continued promotional use.
Why Physical Props Matter in Gaming
While the games industry is built around digital experiences, physical props create something that screens alone cannot. They give scale to characters. They create memorable photo opportunities. They encourage visitors to stop, engage and share their experiences. Most importantly, they help fans feel connected to the worlds they love.
Across all three projects, the goal was the same. Take something that existed only as artwork, concepts or digital assets and transform it into a real object that people could experience first-hand. From giant goats and pirate adventurers to magical weapons and collectible giveaways, physical props help bridge the gap between virtual worlds and real-world experiences.
At Spur Creative, we specialise in turning concepts, characters and digital designs into exhibition-quality props that capture attention and create lasting impressions. If you are planning a gaming activation, launch event or convention stand, we would love to help bring your world to life.