Collectors Edition Thunderjaw Statue

Sony Interactive Entertainment

Thunderjaw Resin Sculpture Capturing the Ultimate Power of Machine and Battle

Hand-painted, highly detailed replication of the Thunderjaw’s mechanical parts and military design

Multi-layered molding process for enhanced durability and visual depth

Dynamic base design replicates an apocalyptic environment, grounding the statue in its world

Background

Horizon Zero Dawn is an action role-playing game developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The game was first released on February 28, 2017, for the PlayStation 4 platform, followed by a PC version on August 7, 2020. Below are some key details about the game:

Horizon Zero Dawn is set in a future Earth, hundreds of years after human civilization has nearly collapsed, and the planet is dominated by mechanical creatures. Humans have reverted to a tribal lifestyle, surviving with primitive tools and weapons. Players take on the role of the protagonist, Aloy, a young hunter, as she explores her past and uncovers the origins of this mechanized world.

The main storyline revolves around the mystery of Aloy’s identity, while also revealing the secrets of an ancient civilization and the disaster that led to the collapse of the world. As the game progresses, players discover that the ancient civilization created these mechanical creatures, which have now gone out of control and pose a great threat to humanity.

Challenge

Recreating the Thunderjaw in resin was no easy feat, especially given the machine’s highly detailed and complex design. The greatest challenge lay in striking the right balance between mechanical realism and artistic interpretation. Each component, from the massive hydraulic legs to the intricately layered body armor, required exceptional precision. The sculptors faced difficulties with the Thunderjaw’s interlocking parts, which had to fit together seamlessly while maintaining the dynamic posture that captures its readiness for battle.

Another significant hurdle was its massive size—ensuring the model’s proportions were accurate without compromising stability. Resin, while strong, has limitations when it comes to supporting such weight across multiple small joints, like the articulated tail or the delicate weaponry along its back. The sculptors had to develop an internal structure to reinforce stability while keeping the overall model lightweight enough for display. The paintwork also presented its own challenges—replicating the weathered, metallic look of the machine while adding lifelike touches to the synthetic parts required advanced layering techniques and precise color matching.

Process

The creation process involved numerous stages of meticulous crafting and problem-solving to ensure every detail of the Thunderjaw’s intricate anatomy was faithfully reproduced. Initially, a detailed 3D model was used as the base for multi-part molds, allowing for the production of individual sections that could later be painted and assembled. Special attention was given to the mechanical joints, weapons, and segmented plating—each requiring hand-sculpted textures to mimic the battle-worn appearance of the original.

For the painting process, artists employed a multi-layer technique using airbrushing, hand-painting, and weathering washes to capture the blend of raw metal, high-tech synthetic materials, and camouflaged patterns seen in the game. Each segment, such as the reinforced neck or the missile launcher on its back, was painstakingly detailed to highlight the contrast between the Thunderjaw’s functional, war-ready exterior and its underlying machinery.

The base design was a project in itself, representing a natural, rugged landscape that contrasts with the technological elements of the Thunderjaw. The terrain was sculpted to elevate the machine, giving it a powerful stance that conveys a sense of movement as it steps into battle. This design decision also serves a practical purpose, adding structural integrity to the model and anchoring it securely for display.

The final assembly was a complex process involving over 100 individual pieces, all of which had to fit perfectly together without sacrificing the seamless look of the statue. After assembly, the statue underwent several rounds of quality checks to ensure no part of the figure’s mechanical integrity or aesthetics were compromised, creating a visually and structurally flawless masterpiece.