Easter Holiday Recap Blog

Week One

In week one I had started to design the models for my characters and I had also started to finish off the models for the weapons. I have managed to finish off the sword and the crossbow (which has no string because that will be done when I apply the rig).

Crossbow

Sword

Armour

After I had done the models for the weapons I had again started on my character models as I had scrapped the last batch of the models as they weren’t up to standard. I have not been able to create the models I want so far, but my time runs short, so I will be creating the arms and monster to a good standard and use those models.

I have used several different textures some of which are are free to download and some of which I have created myself. Here are some of the textures I have used.

Green Camouflage (self made)

Scratched Metal

Galvanized Metal

These textures are the ones being used for my Armour and weapons. The textures I use for my monsters will be completely different, as the monster consists of different elements and materials.

A recap of week two will be done in video format.

This is the Armour week two:

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Current Final Major Project Progress

Armour

This is all the pieces together. It consists of a forearm plate, an upper arm guard and a shoulder blade.

The forearm plate has an ambient occlusion map on it as well as a scratched metal texture, it is also bump mapped to give it a bit more depth. It still needs colour, but the base textures are down.

The upper arm guard also has ambient occlusion maps applied and the same scratched metal texture, it also has bump mapping and just like the forearm plate it needs colour to be applied.

Sword

This is the sword I designed it stays to specification with the drawing I produced except changes in the handle.

This also shows the blades UV mapping, quite simple but it works.  

This image is of the swords handle and weight section, as I said before it has an ambient occlusion map, but it needs all of its textures and colours.

This is just a straight shot of the swords blade, it like the handle has ambient occlusion and needs its textures and colours.

Crossbow

This is the crossbow, it has all of its previous pre-planned features except a few changes in the looks of the actual shape of the weapon.

It has a ambient occlusion map applied but needs textures.

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Character Research (Monster Hunter)

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

I have chosen some designs from Monster Hunter Freedom Unite because it has many different great designs in different tones, colours and styles.

The armour sets have good colour palettes these two particular sets are similar yet completely different to each other, the first armour set is mostly dark tones (blacks and greys) but has red highlights, which stand out very well, so it draws the attention of the viewers eye to certain parts of the armour so that overall they wind up looking at the entire armour set and not just the separate pieces.

The armour in this game are also good because of the variety of styles they come with, most of the armour you get in the game resemble or have similarities to the monster they were taken from, this allows the player to feel like it was worth slaying that particular monster, because you get a great looking armour set that increases in strength over time the more you upgrade it.

What’s also good is the armour sets are mostly made to look like they will protect you in terms of you having heavy shoulder padding which will look like it will protect you instead of having a leather underlay or nothing at all.

The second armour set here is different in appearance. It is not dark and gloomy but it is very vibrant and would stand out from a mile away.

It consists of vibrant reds and shiny silver metal plating which brings out the style that the armour is going for which is intimidation, it achieves this by having a dangerous looking helmet which means you cannot see the characters face and the eye holes are completely black so you cannot see the eyes either. This creates intimidation as well as that fact, like I said before, its bright red colour is easy to spot so it further intimidates in that the player is not hiding and is facing you down.

FMP Game Blog (20/03/2013) The Start

Character Base Design

I have now created a basic design for my character, he is based on an old type of medieval armour mixed with some modern day touches. The armour consists mostly of metal plating and chain link undergarments. I have also created a sword design which the character will use. The armour and weapons will be changed and improved over time but this is the basic character for the moment.

(20/03/2013)

Statement of Intent

Shadow of the Golem

My plan is to produce a demo for an interactive product in which the central character is a hunter whose aim is to track and kill monsters known as the stone guardians. I am going to create a character that will navigate a 3D game level environment with emphasis on creating a good atmosphere and tension. The demo will be used to pitch the concept to games design publishers, and will feature singular level introducing the game entities. The environment will feature grassy plains with rocky features; it will also have a small lake. The hunter is a male, who is tall and broad; he will wear armour consisting of mostly metal plating with leather under garments. He will also carry two types of weapon one being a sword and the other a crossbow. The golem will be made of stone and will be withered and aged, covered in moss. The golem will be an ancient stone creature that contains markings, which represent ancient text. This demo is for the teenage to adult market.

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Shadow of the Colossus are the games that have influenced me through the way they use interesting colour palettes, which creates a tense mood, also the sense of scale that the monsters have adds to the tension and atmosphere, which makes the user grip his/her handheld tight giving more emersion, which is what I’m looking for. The games have influenced me with the way they play, the ease of use when controlling the character, My main character is based on the characters in monster hunter Freedom Unite. My golem character is based on the monsters in Shadow of the Colossus.

In this project I will be using three different programs, which are Blender, Unity and Maya. I will produce all the building models within Maya; I will create all the character models and rigs in Blender and all the landscapes within Unity.

Week 1: 10.3.2013 Write Final Major Project Statement of Intent

Week 2: 17.3.2013 Character and level design/ ideas

Week 3: 24.3.2013 Character and level modelling and rigs 

EASTER                       Finish off all models

Week 4: 14.4.2013 produce animations for rigs

Week 5: 21.4.2013 FMP Progress Interim Review One

Week 6: 28.4.2013 game mechanics

Week 7: 5.5.2013   game mechanics

Week 8: 12.5.2013 game mechanics

Week 9: 19.5.2013 FMP Progress Interim Review Two

Week 10: 26.5.2013 Present Final Major Project for assessment

Week 11: 2.6.2013 Present and hang Final Major Project Exhibition

Week 12: 11.6.2013 Show open / examiner visit 

For my final major project diary I will create a video recorded version, like a Developers Blog, where I will record and speak about my progression, it will also include screen shots.

In order to critically review my project, I must assess the overall mood of the games atmosphere. I will evaluate whether or not I have completed all my character rigs to the highest quality and if I have made an environment with the mood and atmosphere that was required.