Environment Artists' Crummy Character Challenge

[Nerf Bat Ninja]

Ok PC... so here goes. After seeing the popularity of these new fandangled challenges and various VS grudge match threads, a group of environment artists here at the studio have decided to stop doing nothing but talking shit and making fart jokes at lunch and embarass ourselves by limping our way through the process of making characters that will probably turn out horribly, and let all the drama unfold under the harsh judgement of the interwebs.

The rules are simple...
We are each going to redesign a character from the days of retro gaming. This includes NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, or anything similar within reason. SouthpawSid has the option to wuss out and make a vehicle if he's going to cry about it, which he probably will.

As far as the details, polycount limits and texture sizes, we're going to be pretty loose on this one. Anything reasonably game resolution is fine. This is just a fun sort of comp, but the goal will be completed game resolution models.

Basically what it boils down to, is we're all on Christmas Break, and it's time to RAGE.

For now, here's a sweet Photoshop jobber to get everyone hyped up about the fight. I didn't go to the company Christmas Party, so I threw a picture of me at Halloween over Erich's girlfriend, which I feel worked out beautifully. You probably couldn't have even guessed it was Photoshopped, that's why I'm pointing it out.

http://i39.tinypic.com/23m7zhg.jpg

GAME ON!

[stimpack]

this will be fun!!!

Cmon tech artist. get in the game! script out a character!

[JR]

This will be great. Keep it up, guys. I love old-school-games-redesign-challenges :)

[wester]

Pretty excited to get into this! So being a child of the early 90's I immediately went to pokemon (gameboy) when we had brought this up at lunch. The Charmander concept i had done a couple weeks ago was of course in anticipation for this challenge.

I was going to try to do a cinematic model, but to keep true to the spirit and fun of the challenge i'm going to do a game rez futuristic pokemon trainer and her charmander. The guys have pushed me into modeling out a female so that should be fun ha.

I'm going to put together a reference sheet tonight for the pokemon trainer. I want her to have a clean sci fi look (mass effect, star trek). I'm going to look to alot of 80's sci fi flicks for her clothing as well.

Here's the charmander. Once i get together some nice reference pieces for the trainer i'll concept them up together. Probably giving charmander some sort of techy thing to tie him in with the trainer.

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/justwesley0/ReferenceSheet.jpg
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/justwesley0/Charmander-3.jpg


FIRST ROUND OF ART!!!! Make it happen!

[Razgriz]

This should be good, and I'm tempted to join, uninvited, spamming my own crappy WIP's in the topic.

...But I won't. This is an awesome idea, can't wait to see how to turns out. Good luck to all involved!

[SouthpawSid]

may I facepalm myself this early?

[SouthpawSid]

so I am totally going out of my comfort zone for this thing
http://i39.tinypic.com/242hbo8.jpg

not.

[BradleyWascher]

All Im going to say is...... Sonic the hedgehog......Meets Gears of War.....Your all f^cked.......haha

[Nerf Bat Ninja]

So this is happening...

Reference Board Thinger...
http://i41.tinypic.com/w9ekoh.jpg

And horrible environment artist concept art...
http://i42.tinypic.com/jfar91.jpg

I'm doing Bowser... you get the idea. In theory he will also have a Kart of some variety, depending on laziness and alcholo consumption over the break. Wee!

[Cordell Felix]

subbed fo suuuure

[Gannon]

*watches and sips his beer*

[Dylan Brady]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k9WwyGnWT8k/Tu5G58o0CqI/AAAAAAAAHvo/SoVCXuP9QfU/w275/kot.gif

[BradleyWascher]

So here is my first wip concept, trying to figure out the style I want to go for, I know it still looks to much like a wolf or fox but Ill keep working with it. I'm also playing with the tribe idea we will see if it stays or goes in a different direction. http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/357/6/3/sonic_wip1_by_bit_winchester-d4jxy4o.jpg

[wester]

Oh meh gawd nerfbat and brad with the concepts already! Things are getting heated!

[SouthpawSid]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k9WwyGnWT8k/Tu5G58o0CqI/AAAAAAAAHvo/SoVCXuP9QfU/w275/kot.gif

thats kinda how I feel aboot this too.

:poly136:

[Baddcog]

I think Wester is going to win, he is tallest, plus Erick looks intimidated.
Bradley looks over confident.
Soutpaw and Nerf obviously have drinking problems (nerf maybe more so) and it is the holiday season.

[Mathew O]

Totally subbing to this :D

[ErichWK]

I'm gonna leave this here.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14880812/Samus/metroidmood.jpg

I can't soft surface for shit. So I'm gonna make her leave the helmet on. Still don't know how i am gonna...redesign Samus. But alas. I will figure it out

PS. Turn on safe search of you google images Samus. There is some fucked up things on the internet.

http://gamercrave.frsucrave.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/FatSamus11.jpg


edit:http://www.nerdnirvana.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/run-away.gif

[BradleyWascher]

Maybe medieval Samus? all hand forged and bolted together.

[BlvdNights]

Embracing for serious lulz

[ErichWK]

So. FYI. I can't concept, and let alone draw to save my fucking life..but for the sake of lulz this is a current quick wip/idea of where I wanna take it. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14880812/Samus/wipSamus.jpg

I wanna do Samus right when she comes out of her ship and before she powers up (so no giant gumballs on her shoulders). the redesign is more of a modern flare from a classic minimalism approach to her design.

Still figuring out a helmet design..and figuring out a gun arm design.. and the shoulder pads..not feeling it as of yet. But this is rough. I don't know a lot about anatomy..but I do like to keep her super leggy like in the original idea. Anyways. You guys know more about this shit than I do. I just make space ships and doors and walls at work =P


edit: God fucking dammit, I made her gun arm into a penis.

[Skillmister]

http://i.imgur.com/bwXcm.gif

[Jessica Dinh]

Oh wow, this is already really entertaining XD ehehe. I am totally watching this thread

[Nerf Bat Ninja]

Okie dokie... so this has been the first day of the holiday break I wasn't preoccupied with playing with my sweet new Hot Wheels cars or binge drinking... thusly, UPDATES!

Bowser HP blockout... just trying to get a feel for where I wanna go with this big lug.

http://i39.tinypic.com/1zd6bnl.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/5ewevq.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/2dkbpye.jpg

[Alberto Rdrgz]

so f'ing tempted.

[ErichWK]

All my other holmies are slackers man! I got some time and attempted to draw. Man, digital painting is hard. I don't know how all you guys make such bad ass works of art.

anyways.. this is the armour + ArmCannon idea I'm going with.. It makes sense to me I think. But we will see.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14880812/Samus/wip3.jpg

[Nerf Bat Ninja]

DID YOU EVER KNOOOOW, THAT YOU'RE MY HERRRROOOOOOO....

[Nerf Bat Ninja]

http://i43.tinypic.com/r9309l.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/14mw0hi.jpg

Continuing on the zedBrush journey. Not too sure I like the direction this beasty is taking on. Sometimes I look at it and I really like it, other times, not so much. Not sure if I should continue detailing him up or drastically change some things before I move along.

Fun stuff either way. merp.

[wester]

The holiday's have been keeping me pretty busy, but i managed to sneak in a concept. Just some lines for now. I'm going ot give her a neck scarf thing with the fire badge logo on it to help sell the pokemon theme. I'll continue to render her out tonight but I'm pretty satisfied with where it's going.

I'll draw in the charmander next to her with his gear to make sure it all works together

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/justwesley0/PokemonTrainer.jpg

[yodude87]

subscribed, looks fun hahahah xD

[ErichWK]

NerfBat, that is adorable. But right now he is reading like Baby Bowser.

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/495/883272-517px_babybowser_large.jpg

Wes..I'm in love with the concept. I will say that right now it does look straight out of Blade Runner, but I think once you give her the color palette it will totally read more Pokemon. I do think.. to at least do some callbacks to the original designs..she needs backpack or some sort of Head Decoration ie:hat, bonnette, goggles, headphones. https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1_____enUS440US440&q=pokemon+trainer+female&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=ffEBT_LpJanUiALon7G6Dg&biw=1156&bih=747&sei=fvEBT7yqLqTMiQLSrejFDg

[The Nasal Abyss]

This thread rocks already. I'm going to watch it like a hawk in the coming weeks. Some sweet characters ideas in here haha

[SouthpawSid]

bah

i start feets

http://i40.tinypic.com/2wdqzad.jpg

[ErichWK]

Wow, Brad. Those may be...the most detailed feet I have ever seen. Tell me your render setup. I want my shadows to look like Skyrim's shadows.

Anyways..started the helmet! Well..trying to get the proportions right at least.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14880812/Samus/helmetwip.jpg

[SouthpawSid]

Wow, Brad. Those may be...the most detailed feet I have ever seen. Tell me your render setup. I want my shadows to look like Skyrim's shadows.

that's just max real time viewport BS. Jerkface.

lol @ Skyrim shadows though. So true.

[ladyknowles]

Man, I'm cracked up laughing at this thread.

You's are all doing really well! Keep going guys! :D

[JacqueChoi]

This is pretty sweet guys.


Title is amazing.

[wester]

Nice updates fellas! I think i need to pick up the pace.

Nerfbat's already sculpting like a madman!

[Jungsik]

You guys are my heros

[odd_enough]

Fantastic! Thanks for this, I really needed the laugh for the day. :D

Subscribed.

[killnpc]

since when was wester not a character artist?

[wester]

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/justwesley0/tumblr_lryh1eb9DK1r37btso1_500.jpg

[POFFINGTON]

Hahaha. YES best tumblr ever

[Mathew O]

Can someone link me it? I have heard about "student game Dev bullfrog" I think it's called but can't find it anywhere

[Jungsik]

Can someone link me it? I have heard about "student game Dev bullfrog" I think it's called but can't find it anywhere

http://gameartstudentbullfrog.tumblr.com/

[praetus]

This should be good, and I'm tempted to join, uninvited, spamming my own crappy WIP's in the topic.

...But I won't. This is an awesome idea, can't wait to see how to turns out. Good luck to all involved!


Seriously. Good luck everyone. Can't wait to see some awesome artworks.

[Mcejn]

Just saw that bullfrog site. I gotta say, pretty nice.

Good luck, peoples.

[SouthpawSid]

more fleshing out of shapes. I am an idiot for not really doing any visualization. Maybe later... idk.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a106/SiD_bEaSt/01WIP.jpg

[Jessica Dinh]

lol awesome

[wester]

Finished the retopo. Moving onto finishing up the modeling of the claws, uv's then the sculpt!

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/justwesley0/Charmander-4.jpg

[Alberto Rdrgz]

i hate you guys for continuing this lol, but damn i love this thread!

[wester]

Oh we're serious. This is happening

[toxic_h2o]

Dont half ass these guys, they could be pretty good! remember to take a bit of pride in your work even if it isn't something you normally do! :)

[garriola83]

you guys are really funny. loled at the skyrim shadow humor. youre all pros. its gonna look good no matter what. good luck!

[shotgun]

lol @ bullfrog

[SouthpawSid]

AO MAKER ART BUTTON OH SO COOL HUURRPPAAAA

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a106/SiD_bEaSt/02WIP.jpg

slowly.

but surely.

=]



oh and in the spirit of things...
http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2011/5/9/12b317b8-561f-44cf-bb59-8b2013eaf60b.jpg

[Alberto Rdrgz]

Oh we're serious. This is happening

honestly, never laughed so hard at single response.

[deadpixl]

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/justwesley0/tumblr_lryh1eb9DK1r37btso1_500.jpg

Ahahahaah

[BradleyWascher]

Ok so I did nothing over Christmas break, and because I didn't want a furry naked animal man in my portfolio I decided to go with a mega man redesign in the spirit of halo/gow. Everything is still very wip, face will change and armor is just in concepting phase. So here's where I'm at after two nights. http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/010/e/5/megaman_wip1_by_bit_winchester-d4lxmnw.jpg

[wester]

Sweet stuff brad. I'm loving the starship troopers style helmet! This guy should be fun!

Crazy that you're concepting as you model other brad. Skills man, mad skills.

[ErichWK]

A WILD BRAD APPEARS! IT USES "FUCKIN AWESOME!"

[BradleyWascher]

Seeing as mega man is a robot......... I might have to play around with some exposed terminator bits......we will see if it breaks the overall design flow... http://images.wikia.com/terminator/images/d/db/Terminatorpanel1.jpg

[sirhk]

Hello Everyone,

I'm the random tech artist in the photo. I've decided that I will participate in this competition. As the first comment asked that I script out a character. While I am still gathering ideas and deciding on which character to make, here's what I have so far.

Cheers

[ErichWK]

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w293/ingcarlos26/Birds/Shocked.gif

[SouthpawSid]

Hello Everyone,

I'm the random tech artist in the photo. I've decided that I will participate in this competition. As the first comment asked that I script out a character. While I am still gathering ideas and deciding on which character to make, here's what I have so far.

Cheers

oh

my

god

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii199/THETRIBEOF_5/LOL%20OMG/lol115.gif

[wester]

Hahaha that was priceless!

[sirhk]

ideas
http://cdn.uberreview.com/wp-content/uploads/80s-ghost-lamp.jpghttp://www.oldsoftware.com/softimg7/atari2.jpg

[Shiniku]

Lord, I don't think I've laughed like this in awhile. This thread is amazing.

There is some good work happening too! Keep going dudes.

[achillesian]

references for the guy doing sonic

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwf31jpaLC1qm4s37o1_400.gif

http://i.imgur.com/CRmo3.gif

http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lwa0cr0bNI1r880jmo1_500.gif

http://i.imgur.com/X33Fv.gif

[BradleyWascher]

My god......those sonic reference pieces........are perfect........Jesus why did I have to switch to mega man( JK) I really am going to stick to mega man, No matter how cool anyone of those reference images would look modeled in my portfolio.... haha

[wester]

Charmander WIP. I really feel like i'm out of SO MUCH sculpting practice. Going through and detailing out the skin detail, the scales are up next.

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/justwesley0/Charmander-5.jpg

[adam]

This thread is fucking hilarious. Keep going!

[Jessica Dinh]

This thread is fucking hilarious. Keep going!

+1 !

[SouthpawSid]

achillesian- that first gif is the greatest thing I've laid eyes on in quite some time. Well done sir.

Wesdawg- I think the soft lines you've got along that lizard looks really good accept for the front of the neck and belly. They are currently running down him, and I feel like they should be going mostly horizontally. Least it feels like it should be that way to me. The lines going down to me also suggest older age, and he isn't a very old pocket monster ;)

Adam- ay ay!

[wester]

Here's my ref on that specific part of the body. THere will be some horizontal creases as well as vertical ones. The vertical ones being more fatty than the horizontal ones.

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/justwesley0/361305_1295382370_large.jpg

[jharrison]

Cannot express how excited I am to follow this, not to mention work with everyone competing. Wish I had the time to join in - will have to keep my eye out for the next one!

[wester]

Trying to pick up the pace abit. Going to try to have this thing all scaled up by the end of the weekend. We'll seeeeee.

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/justwesley0/Untitled-1-6.jpg

[SouthpawSid]

yo nathan drake, 'dems some sweet scales brah.

a little bit more progress on a blockout for meeee

This is the hardest part for me by far, so I promises when I finally get around to the HP modeling more will appear to get done quicker ;) I am still very unsure about many of the shapes and how they flow into each other. C&Cs welcomed dearest ones.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a106/SiD_bEaSt/05WIP.jpg

[wester]

B-rad: Yeeeeah progress! Looking good man! Pick up the pace you slacker! :D We have a studio reputation to uphold!! i keed i keed :D

The product of most of my sunday night.

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/justwesley0/ZGrab01-2.jpg

[sirhk]

I'm loviing the scales on this dinosaur. Reminds me of this guy

http://images.wikia.com/kungfupanda/images/f/fd/Oogway.jpg

[sirhk]

I decided I'm going to script out an old kirby. Here's what I have so far. I plan on having him carry a walking stick.

[Jessica Dinh]

^<3<3<3^

[SouthpawSid]

Jake, that Kirby is delicious ♥

guh.. sketching a little to figure out my next move in the blockout. Not feeling the forearm/ball chain gun at all... but I could go from there I guess.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a106/SiD_bEaSt/10WIP.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a106/SiD_bEaSt/09WIP-1.jpg

thinking of cheating and begging a concept artist for a legit PO. Who will hate me if I did that?

[sirhk]

thinking of cheating and begging a concept artist for a legit PO. Who will hate me if I did that?


Everyone!

[wester]

I say go for it! I'm going to outsource on my charmander for the fire tail :D so it's only fair that you can outsource to a concept artist hah.

[Jungsik]

I check this thread everyday for update !!!

[jharrison]

Looking good Wes, really digging your progress. Keep it up guys!

[eY3lEs5]

I'm watching this, you guys are cracking me up :D

[sirhk]

I say go for it! I'm going to outsource on my charmander for the fire tail :D so it's only fair that you can outsource to a concept artist hah.

When do you need that fire wes?

[wester]

I've decided on making him a cinematic model not game rez (sorry guys)....so i'll have to do the fire particles in maya 0_0

[wester]

I'm getting excited about this guy! I'd say about one more night for the feet scales and he's done. Hopefully i'll have a nice little displacement map render soon and can start on his nails, tongue, eyes, teeth.

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/justwesley0/ZGrab03.jpg

[Alberto Rdrgz]

im tired just looking at the scales. damn. Looks like super tedious work!

[wester]

Not really. Just laying down some initial alpha's and then i go in and hand fix the parts where they overlap and make ugly seems.

[XRevan23]

This is what happens when you feed a environment artist after midnight. Fun stuff keeping my eye on this thread.