diehardfc
11-25-2009, 10:42 PM
Kung-Fu Kingdom (http://www.kungfu-kingdom.com) is a real-time strategy satire being developed for the Xbox 360. Using a distributed developer methodology, the project manager has assembled a team from all over the country to work on everything from concept art to programming to music. (learn more by visiting www.kungfu-kingdom.com (http://www.kungfu-kingdom.com)) I'm one of the first 3D folks to come aboard, but I've only been in the business for a year and a half and this is my first gaming project, so it's difficult to get exactly the kind of feedback necessary to improve our models. So, I turn to the wider CG community in the hope that you may be able to provide the kind of critique and review that's currently missing.
A quick note about the game: the engine will be utilizing 2D sprite sheets for animations. A game that is similar in design is Castle Crashers on the Xbox 360. Rather than paint the sprite sheets, however, the project manager has decided to build and animate 3D models and use renders of those animations. (cheaper and faster) So, poly count, lighting setup, rendering methodology, and similar game engine considerations are not really a concern.
The first model is a basic unit, referred to as a clueless monk. The problem we're encountering is in making the model look as much like the concept art as possible. I think because it's just me, I'm able to get the model to a certain point that I think looks like the art, but then I get stuck on how to move it closer without destroying it. The most recent iteration is version 5, which incorporates some developer feedback on how to translate the decidedly 2D face of the concept art into the 3d model. (the chin is too big in the concept art, so it's smaller on the model)
http://www.jc3creative.com/images/monkCardinal01.jpg
http://www.jc3creative.com/images/monkIsometricV5.jpg
We're not trying to sculpt clothing or other fine details yet. Actual size of the sprite sheet will be approximately 64x64 or thereabouts, so fine detail will be lost. Feedback, commentary, and critique that help move the model closer to the concept art are welcome. Thank you in advance for your assistance!
A quick note about the game: the engine will be utilizing 2D sprite sheets for animations. A game that is similar in design is Castle Crashers on the Xbox 360. Rather than paint the sprite sheets, however, the project manager has decided to build and animate 3D models and use renders of those animations. (cheaper and faster) So, poly count, lighting setup, rendering methodology, and similar game engine considerations are not really a concern.
The first model is a basic unit, referred to as a clueless monk. The problem we're encountering is in making the model look as much like the concept art as possible. I think because it's just me, I'm able to get the model to a certain point that I think looks like the art, but then I get stuck on how to move it closer without destroying it. The most recent iteration is version 5, which incorporates some developer feedback on how to translate the decidedly 2D face of the concept art into the 3d model. (the chin is too big in the concept art, so it's smaller on the model)
http://www.jc3creative.com/images/monkCardinal01.jpg
http://www.jc3creative.com/images/monkIsometricV5.jpg
We're not trying to sculpt clothing or other fine details yet. Actual size of the sprite sheet will be approximately 64x64 or thereabouts, so fine detail will be lost. Feedback, commentary, and critique that help move the model closer to the concept art are welcome. Thank you in advance for your assistance!