37 replies to this topic

[autogyro]

I do wonder how close the actual in game assets will reflect that of the concept art. I hope it's identical, or if not, very close.

[Silent]

autogyro, on 27 February 2012 - 03:37 AM, said:

I do wonder how close the actual in game assets will reflect that of the concept art. I hope it's identical, or if not, very close.

If you go to the media section you'll see that there are two orthographic (front/back/side) concept pieces for the Dragon and Catapult. They are used by the 3D modelers as a reference, and are typically cut up and displayed like this in the modeling software:



As you can see it makes it easier for the modeler to make it accurate according to the references:



So, if you like the looks of those two orthographic concept pieces in the media section then you'll be in for a treat because I imagine the models are going to look nearly exactly like that. As far as texturing like in the concept art I imagine we'll get plenty of grit, since it seems like flyingdebris is guiding most of the concept work.

Edited by Silent, 27 February 2012 - 04:20 AM.

[Ulric Kell]

I liked the design of all the mech up until the Commando. Something about it just doesn't make sense to me. Otherwise I'm cool with their approach thus far.

[DarkTreader]

Silent, glad you pointed that out, I was about do say basically the same thing.

Concept artists are the ones who put the time and effort in getting the 'feel' established for the world. That art goes to the Creative Lead or whoever's making the final calls to get the thumbs up/down... if it's thumbs up'd (which I assume all of the posted pieces have been, or they would never have been released), that becomes a core piece of the GDD - which means any and all references to XYZ thing now have a direct, official visual component.

Now, keep in mind that a lot of times, concept artists don't always make those ortho views and such - some places, the CA has that role, other times, there are technical artists whose job it is to take those concept pieces and turn them into technical drawings. But their job is to keep those views as close as possible to the official CA's art design - so basically, the 'Mechs we see from FD are the 'Mechs we'll get to play with.

[Win44]

Here is an idea to make the texture artists groan:

What if mech's looked brand new when we purchased them, then accumulated battle wear as we participate in battles. So my mech after a couple hundred battles looks pitted and scarred as imagined in the stories.

[Tannhauser Gate]

Win44, on 27 February 2012 - 09:53 AM, said:

Here is an idea to make the texture artists groan:

What if mech's looked brand new when we purchased them, then accumulated battle wear as we participate in battles. So my mech after a couple hundred battles looks pitted and scarred as imagined in the stories.

Right it would be new or depot-level refirb like how the US refirbs its M1-A1s to look new with updated hulls. Or you could buy used with all the glorious damage and cheaper price of a mech thats only got 4billion miles on it (name that reference!).

yeah it would make the artists wale in agony but would it be sweet if mechs had that kind of detail.

Make it so!

Edited by LakeDaemon, 27 February 2012 - 10:39 AM.

[Silent]

I know IL-2: Cliffs of Dover does something like that with weathering for aircraft. You can play with a slider and your airplane can either be factory fresh or in various stages of wear. I imagine they did this by having an extra texture overlayed over the top that is mostly transparent save for the areas that are supposed to be chipped/scratched/beat up, and the slider determines the opaqueness of the weathered bits which is put over the top of the normal skin.

It'd be cool if something like that could eventually be implemented.

Edited by Silent, 27 February 2012 - 10:48 AM.

[Garth Erlam]

"one that will actually make us freak out if say...you turn a corner in your commando to come face to face with an Atlas's lower torso."

I wasn't in a Commando, but I was in a light, and the reaction generally goes like this:

• What the hell did I just run into
  
• That's a giant AC and two lasers
  
• That's an Atlas.
  
• That's an Atlas!
  
• (swearing)

[Atlas3060]

Ah yes Big Al, the expert mugger.
Seems like nearly every Mechwarrior game has that perfect moment when someone runs right into him and he runs right through them... or explodes, but either way still good times.

[Win44]

Garth Erlam, on 27 February 2012 - 10:53 AM, said:

"one that will actually make us freak out if say...you turn a corner in your commando to come face to face with an Atlas's lower torso."

I wasn't in a Commando, but I was in a light, and the reaction generally goes like this:

• What the hell did I just run into
  
• That's a giant AC and two lasers
  
• That's an Atlas.
  
• That's an Atlas!
  
• (swearing)

LOL! "That's a giant AC and two..." what? Did you merge us with that Mech gender thread from earlier?

[Naduk]

Win44, on 27 February 2012 - 09:53 AM, said:

Here is an idea to make the texture artists groan:

What if mech's looked brand new when we purchased them, then accumulated battle wear as we participate in battles. So my mech after a couple hundred battles looks pitted and scarred as imagined in the stories.

actually this wouldnt be so hard and it could be repeating dirt/grime/damage textures that are applied procedurally over time
once you get the look and process down pat, you can apply the same process to every mech regardless of shape or size

this would have a very pleasing effect on players, most players would not notice but they would certainly feel it
and when they purchase a new shiny mech and fuss over it in the hanger and see it next to their old gritty mech
it will dawn on them, how loved and worn she is

its a good feeling to look at a mech and think "ah you have served me well"

*if done procedurally it would need limiters so it did not get over the top and we all end up with black mechs 2 years from now*

[Zakatak]

I love it love it love it love it!

Mechwarrior 4 colorful happy funtime mechs made me want to vomit. BTech is a gritty, militaristic story, and the mechs should look as such. Now they look like purpose built war machines. Rather then the Catapult having a massive frontal glass canopy that said "shoot me here please!", we have something in between a BF2142 walker and an Apache helicopter with massive missile pods on the sides.

[Zakatak]

Win44, on 27 February 2012 - 09:53 AM, said:

Here is an idea to make the texture artists groan:

What if mech's looked brand new when we purchased them, then accumulated battle wear as we participate in battles. So my mech after a couple hundred battles looks pitted and scarred as imagined in the stories.

Battlestar Galactimech

Starts out as a shiny, beautiful girl all polished up like a museum. But she gets tired of war, and battles wear her armor down. By the end of the road, she has a battered nose and splintered armor with fluid leaking everywhere.

[Roughneck45]

Zakatak, on 27 February 2012 - 04:00 PM, said:

Battlestar Galactimech

Starts out as a shiny, beautiful girl all polished up like a museum. But she gets tired of war, and battles wear her armor down. By the end of the road, she has a battered nose and splintered armor with fluid leaking everywhere.

They could have it be optional too. After a mission it would naturally accumulate damage and dirt, but you could have it repaired and cleaned before the next mission if you wanted to, or leave it as is.

[Mautty the Bobcat]

Hm....possibly a cash shop purchase that allows your mechs to look 'worn and torn' from warfare as a cosmetic option? The mechs themselves already look battle hardened in reference to the concept art, so I don't think there will be too much of an issue with "Mechwarrior 4 colorful happy funtime mechs".

[Thegoldenhour]

I like the dirty look. How about battle scars that stay with your Mech after the match is over and carry on into the next match?

(First post)

[Randal Waide]

I just wonder if there will be trees to sneak through and catch on fire so that heavy lance behind you has second thoughts on pursuit.

[Semyon Drakon]

Garth Erlam, on 27 February 2012 - 10:53 AM, said:

"one that will actually make us freak out if say...you turn a corner in your commando to come face to face with an Atlas's lower torso."

I wasn't in a Commando, but I was in a light, and the reaction generally goes like this:

• What the hell did I just run into
  
• That's a giant AC and two lasers
  
• That's an Atlas.
  
• That's an Atlas!
  
• (swearing)

I imagine there was a bit missing at the end of that ...

<DAKKADAKKDAKKA BOOM!>

More swearing

Semyon