People Can Fly is a Polish video game development studio founded in 2002, known for titles such as Painkiller, Bulletstorm, Gears of War: Judgment, and Outriders. The studio’s logo features an aviator figure with arms spread wide, evoking the act of flying, which has been a consistent element of the brand since its early days.
Design and History
The People Can Fly logo has undergone two significant documented changes. In November 2013, the studio was rebranded as Epic Games Poland after being fully acquired by Epic Games, and the People Can Fly name and logo were set aside. On June 24, 2015, the studio announced its return to independence, reclaiming its original name and “memorable logo” as part of the split from Epic Games. The official announcement stated that the Warsaw-based team was returning to its “original name, memorable logo and roots as an independent game studio.” [1] [2]
In May 2020, People Can Fly revealed a refreshed visual identity to mark its 18th anniversary. The studio announced the new logo and brand identity, stating: “Today, after 18 years in the game industry, we are more than happy to reveal our new logo and the new PCF brand identity.” [3] The rebranding was handled by the Polish design studio Mamastudio. Michał Pawlik of Mamastudio explained the process: “People Can Fly received a refreshing lift, the logo was drawn from scratch, still retaining its previous form, and we flipped the aviator figure to increase the dynamics. The lettering was updated, and ultimately this evolution proved to be the best possible solution.” [4] [5]
The 2020 refresh was introduced alongside the announcement of a new AAA title and the expansion of the studio’s New York office. CEO Sebastian Wojciechowski said: “We are marking this unique moment with the presentation of PCF’s refreshed visual identity.” [6]
Meaning and Symbolism
The central figure in the People Can Fly logo is an aviator, a figure that has become closely associated with the studio’s internal culture. People Can Fly employees are referred to as “Aviators” in official communications, and the studio’s 20th anniversary materials describe the team as “The Aviators of gamedev.” [7] The aviator figure in the logo, with arms spread wide, visually reinforces the studio’s name and its identity as a team of “Aviators.”
Typography and Design
According to Mamastudio’s Michał Pawlik, the 2020 redesign involved redrawing the logo from scratch while preserving its previous form. The aviator figure was flipped to increase dynamism, and the lettering was updated. The studio’s official website uses a black version of the logo as its standard brand asset. [4] [8]
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
