42 replies to this topic

[Obelus]

Battletech Loves the 80s!!!

http://www.something...h-art-1980s.php

MWO designers to avoid using these mechs...

http://www.something...hnical-3025.php


Thank you Steve and Zack.

PS. Edited to fix my dyslexia

Edited by Obelus, 08 December 2011 - 07:08 AM.

[Adridos]

I wanted to read it, but after seeing urbie on the mechs some "WMO" developers should avoid, I closed my browser.

[Obelus]

Hah busted.

[Hayden]

Just died a little inside.

[Alex Wolfe]

Well, it was made in the 80's, so it makes sense that the original art represents the 80's, no?

Of course, some modernization is necessary... it doesn't represent the period's aesthetic because it was supposed to be superior, or because it's an enlightened prediction of the 31st century, but... because back then it was "current", "modern" and thus "attractive". Incidentally, the characters from the anime FASA took the initial mech designs from, displayed similar traits, naturally.

I doubt there will be an invasion of David Hasslehoff/Cher hair, denim jackets and short shorts in MWO. Thanks for the links though!

Edited by Alex Wolfe, 08 December 2011 - 07:07 AM.

[Silent]

Alex Wolfe, on 08 December 2011 - 07:05 AM, said:

I doubt there will be an invasion of David Hasslehoff/Cher hair, denim jackets and short shorts in MWO.

But...the fluff.

[Alex Wolfe]

Silent, on 08 December 2011 - 07:07 AM, said:

But...the fluff.

The period-appropriate answer, I believe, would be "I'm afraid I cannot let you do that, Dave".

Obelus, on 08 December 2011 - 06:44 AM, said:

MWO designers to avoid using these mechs...

There's nothing wrong with the mechs themselves (other than perhaps outdated stats), just the design has to be tweaked a tad to make it look actually viable for something else than a hair metal music video ("classic" or not, the 80's SF aesthetic doesn't exactly spell "the future", it screams "80's SF aesthetics"). Games so far have been doing great job with that, so never fear.

Edited by Alex Wolfe, 08 December 2011 - 07:33 AM.

[Kami Shinigami]

Wow... that was a good laugh.

[Cattra Kell]

Did I perhaps just spot a goon?

[Type ZERO]

Ha ha.... That just made my morning. Thanks for that. =D

[Scott Wolfpack Rider]

Alex Wolfe, on 08 December 2011 - 07:05 AM, said:

Well, it was made in the 80's, so it makes sense that the original art represents the 80's, no?

Of course, some modernization is necessary... it doesn't represent the period's aesthetic because it was supposed to be superior, or because it's an enlightened prediction of the 31st century, but... because back then it was "current", "modern" and thus "attractive". Incidentally, the characters from the anime FASA took the initial mech designs from, displayed similar traits, naturally.

I doubt there will be an invasion of David Hasslehoff/Cher hair, denim jackets and short shorts in MWO. Thanks for the links though!

Seeing the 80's were in every way superior to anything before and anything that has come since, I believe they had the asthetic just right.

Edited by Scott Wolfpack Rider, 08 December 2011 - 09:03 AM.

[Halfinax]

There are a few of us running around here CK.

[MaddMaxx]

"Dorkiest of" and on Page 3 the UrbanMech? Do they both still have testicles after saying that on the Weeb?

[Alex Wolfe]

Scott Wolfpack Rider, on 08 December 2011 - 09:03 AM, said:

Seeing the 80's were in every way superior to anything before and anything that has come since, I believe they had the asthetic just right.

Blasphemy! ...I'm more partial to iterating on the "refurbished 60's sci-fi aesthetics", myself. Broke my heart when they strayed away from it towards the "generic MODERN power armor" in 2 and beyond.


Now, isn't it lovely?

[Kami Shinigami]

^ like

[Obelus]

Alex Wolfe, on 08 December 2011 - 09:30 AM, said:

Blasphemy! ...I'm more partial to iterating on the "refurbished 60's sci-fi aesthetics", myself. Broke my heart when they strayed away from it towards the "generic MODERN power armor" in 2 and beyond.

Now, isn't it lovely?

Sure, I liked Mass Effect.

[Grotonomus]

Alex Wolfe, on 08 December 2011 - 09:30 AM, said:

Blasphemy! ...I'm more partial to iterating on the "refurbished 60's sci-fi aesthetics", myself. Broke my heart when they strayed away from it towards the "generic MODERN power armor" in 2 and beyond.


Now, isn't it lovely?

Alex, do you know who the artist is for that image? it looks Frank Frazetta esq. I always loved his work. I agree tho that the elegant futurist work of the earlier decades way way more preferrable to the 1980's.

More Frazetta HERE.

[Adridos]

Obelus, on 08 December 2011 - 09:32 AM, said:

Sure, I liked Mass Effect.

Everyone with half a brain does. Just my class mates say there's too much talking attached to it (console, CoD fanboys, which can't even differ "he" from "she" on English lessons).

Edited by Adridos, 08 December 2011 - 09:49 AM.

[Alex Wolfe]

Arden Sortek, on 08 December 2011 - 09:48 AM, said:

Alex, do you know who the artist is for that image? it looks Frank Frazetta esq. I always loved his work. I agree tho that the elegant futurist work of the earlier decades way way more preferrable to the 1980's.

More Frazetta HERE.

The art is the cover (and one of the concept pictures that shaped the style of that universe) from "The Art of Mass Effect". Individual artists aren't credited on each page, but at the end there is a list of all involved:

* Derek Watts
* Matthew Rhodes
* Sung Kim
* Adrien Cho
* Fran Gaulin
* Mike Spalding
* Mike Trottier
* Michael Jeffrey
* Sasha Beliaev
* Mike Higgins

(from an Amazon review)

Sorry for taking this fine thread a bit off topic, I merely intended to show that it's perfectly possible of preserving the feel of a time period, while making it believable and acceptable for a modern viewer. I believe Mass Effect's artists pulled that off splendidly.

Edited by Alex Wolfe, 08 December 2011 - 10:09 AM.

[Cattra Kell]

Oh I noticed a few of you goons about... it worries me to know im not the only one.