42 replies to this topic

[Demi-Precentor Konev]

>insert Urbie pic here

"Zack: Welcome to Obama's America.
Steve: Is this a green job?
Zack: Ruined cities and mailboxes that shoot you"

Had me rolling.

Edited by lahyenne, 08 December 2011 - 10:39 AM.

[Anthony Kufahl]

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!

have you any idea how hot a mech cockpit gets? there will be short shorts simply due to heat

[Alex Wolfe]

Anthony Kufahl, on 08 December 2011 - 11:42 AM, said:

have you any idea how hot a mech cockpit gets? there will be short shorts simply due to heat

I believe this has been mentioned a ton of times, but... an environmental suit designed to keep the pilot's temperature stable (as opposed to let him drown in his own sweat after firing lasers a few times) is relatively low-tech and would do even better than stripping down to his skivvies, but wouldn't allow showing as much muscle on campy artwork.

It really seems like an artistic choice with convenient excuse (mechs go hot? GYM CLOTHES TIME!). At the end of the day, short shorts and vests are just a way of showing what an ultimate "badass" a pilot is (or draw "a hot chick" showing her legs), really.

Edited by Alex Wolfe, 08 December 2011 - 11:59 AM.

[Odin]

" Damnit! if that Matt character isn't back in a min, I'm gonna be real p°ssed - real Hulla physics or not! I demand my little green skirt back!"

[John Clavell]

That guy looks like Robin of Loxley made babies with Darth Helmet.

[Kudzu]

It's like complaining about Luke Skywalker's hair in the original trilogy... some things are better left campy and fun.

[Dihm]

I want to be Lt. Lewis.

[Seth]

I laughed my *** off at the aerobics instructor "Natasha Kerensky". Great find!

[Demi-Precentor Konev]

Kudzu, on 08 December 2011 - 12:30 PM, said:

It's like complaining about Luke Skywalker's hair in the original trilogy... some things are better left campy and fun.

And some things need to enter the 21st century to attract new fans and survive as a well-loved IP.

[Kudzu]

lahyenne, on 08 December 2011 - 04:43 PM, said:

And some things need to enter the 21st century to attract new fans and survive as a well-loved IP.

Point well taken... how about updated mech looks but the pilots still get to look like they were dragged out of a hair band music video.

[Psydotek]

Ok, i'll admit, the commentary on the Stalker page was pretty dang funny.

[CobraFive]

"What's up, baby? Is your name Kerensky? Cuz I ain't seen double heatsinks like those since I visited Strana Mechty."

GOLD

[Demi-Precentor Konev]

Kudzu, on 08 December 2011 - 04:58 PM, said:

Point well taken... how about updated mech looks but the pilots still get to look like they were dragged out of a hair band music video.

I'll let you think about this one on your own.

[Halfinax]

If i can't go for '80s glam look for my Mechwarrior's avatar I will be disappointed.

[Kudzu]

lahyenne, on 08 December 2011 - 06:56 PM, said:

I'll let you think about this one on your own.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you House Steiner!

[Datum]

This just reminded me that I found a 1st edition box set of Citytech at my local game store for $20.
Kinda want to get it now.

[GI Journalist]

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

Battletech Loves the 80s!!!

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

Thank you Steve and Zack.

Now I now why all the artwork is Unseen. NO ONE SHOULD SEE THIS.

[Nebfer]

The Irony is that it's making fun of 80s art that was made in the 80s...

While battletech has retained a number of things, I do not think the art of today is quite the same...

[Alex Wolfe]

Nebfer, on 08 December 2011 - 08:37 PM, said:

The Irony is that it's making fun of 80s art that was made in the 80s...

While battletech has retained a number of things, I do not think the art of today is quite the same...

Well, it's the same deal with everything - art follows its times, the authors' likes and dislikes at the time of creation, and the audience's expectations. If anything, it is an interesting look into the somewhat goofy past of Battletech for many, and maybe a reminder that "the olden days" are not exactly always so good because they are "olden", but because we were younger back then and have fonder memories, and merely reproducing them now won't yield a similar effect. Battletech indeed seems to love the 80's and 80's looks, for many fans seem to want everything brought back exactly as it was, what their memories of it are.

Warhammer 40k have followed a similar path - but of course, since the franchise is still very active, there are more iterations known to most of its fanbase than "the 80's art and then heathen games that came and ruined everything" (as many chose not to stick around through the dissention of the art style in 3060's, while the computer games decided to iterate on the relatively clean-cut style of the 3050 readouts). The players had the time to get used to gradual change, instead of being shown a concept art and going "this is NOT the X mech of my youth, blasphemy!".

Check out the Space Marines of the 80's. As you can see, they were all about being as METAL as possible (with vestige backstory of being simply glorified killers).


Nowadays though they were given some story, motivation and a speck of character besides that, so while still being pretty metal, they are channeling the strong Sacrum Terranum Imperium vibe, Roman Legions in Spaaaaaace.



Is it good or bad - hard to tell, depending on an individual's tastes. It's simply that these days being ONLY metal and campy just doesn't seem to fly as well as back then. Despite what some fans raised on that franchise may be saying, metal isn't its own excuse anymore. Those arts are a nice reminder of that, I guess.

Edited by Alex Wolfe, 09 December 2011 - 02:53 AM.

[Straylight]

First image in the portraits post doesn't count because it's Rhonda and Cranston. Even updated, they'd look like an '80s metal band groupie and a **** star, respectively (I'll let you decide which is which).

The 'Mechs post... yeah, some of that's really bad art, but it's more bad ART than bad DESIGN. If you want bad design, look at, say, the Hoplite.

And you do NOT insult the Jenner. Those things are the most badass thirty five tons around.