Root Cause Analysis is a play on the “back alley doctor” archetype — the doctor known for discretion about the illicit activities of those that turn to him. Transplant that crime film trope into a futuristic, cyberpunk world, and this scene is what you might get. The unfolding Saibren City series by Gernge builds upon itself as new characters are introduced and familiar ones return. With each new release, the viewer is given another glimpse into this expansive universe. Subtle details are peppered throughout the scenes in the Saibren City series, rewarding keen observers. Now the hidden gems in Root Cause Analysis breach the real world, with homage paid to specific Gernge collectors.

Creating a 3D render with this level of detail involves weeks of working around the clock. Day one is spent in Cinema 4D, laying the groundwork with primitive shapes, placeholder objects, and a handful of lights. Then, each successive day, the dozens of higher fidelity objects — radios, flickering screens, etc. — are created with detailed textures using Redshift Render, Substance Painter, Adobe Photoshop, and After Effects to construct a rich, lived-in world.