Strongman Low Poly Finished

This is the final version of the Strongman in Low Poly ready to texture it. It has 6.538 Tris, so has a good level detail and is not too heavy to implement on Unreal 4. The original concept had the metal-arm on the right side, but we decided to change it on the left side because the enemies usually will appear from the right on the screen, so you will see them on the left view more.

Sketches Tank Enemy - Strongman

The second character which I've been working is the tank enemy, the Strongman. First I did a research about different styles from artists and real pictures to give me ideas in how to create the design for my character. These are some of the references:

Then I started with the sketches of the Strongman character. First with the bodies and after the heads. I did 4 different versions of the character. After that, the team chose the 1st option as the best one. I did some versions of that concept with different outfits and we decided the 3rd option. So I'll work on the 3D model for the animator and programmers could test in animation and in the game engine.

Strongman Sketches

Strongman Choice

Midget Clown Low Poly Finished

This is the final version of the Midget Clown in Low Poly ready to texture it. It has 6.592 Tris, so has a good level detail and is not too heavy to implement on Unreal 4.

Mocap session

We made a mocap session for the Trixie's animations. We recorded several motions: jump, walk (aiming in 3 directions), running (aiming in 3 directions too), dead, melee attack, getting pick ups and walk crouching.

The session took us almost 4 hours, but it was really good and we recorded good animations. My girlfriend was who dress up with the mocap outfit, so we have to give her thanks for it. I feel like to see them on the game.

These are some pictures of the mocap session.

3D Model Basemesh: Trixie and Midget Clown

Last week I've created a simple basemesh for Trixie (the main character) and the Midget Clown, just that the animator and programmers could use them next week for testing.

I did a simple mesh in 3ds max, and then I've exported to Zbrush to improve the shape of the bodies and faces. It is just a simple mesh, but the loops are correctly and ready to work on them and add details. For Trixie I used the concepts from Deming Li who was working last week and for the Clown I used my designs.

Trixie

Midget Clown

Sketches Basic Enemy - Midget Clown

The first enemy which I've started the work is the basic enemy, the Midget Clown. First I did a research about different styles from artists and real pictures to give me ideas in how to create the design for my character. These are some of the references:

Then I started with the sketches of the Clown character. First with the bodies and later the heads. I did 7 different versions of the character. After that, the team chose the 3rd option as the best one. So I'll work on the 3D model base for the animator and programmers could test in animation and in the game engine.

The Project - Carnageval

Well, first of all I'm going to explain what is our project. Called Carnageval, is a Side-scrolling and arcade shoot'em up game in a 2.5D perspective.

Plot

The “Wonderful Circus of Dr Stromboli” is in town and it promises big shows and fun but instead the circus brings madness and blood, an army of “Cloned Midget Killer Clowns” assaults the city by order of Dr Stromboli.

You will play the role of Trixie, our main character, who she will must hack her way thorugh hordes of mad and bloodthirsty clowns and other famous characters from old circus, like strongmans, magicians and showman.

General idea

Art Style: Semi-realistic
Setting: Victorian, Old Circus, Carnival.
Platform: Pc, controller support
Target Audience: +16 years old, Hardcore gamers

Art Team

The Art Team comprises four members :

- Jonathan Kay - Environment Artist

- Aleix Merlos Vela (me) - Character Artist

- Javier Torralba Robles - Character Artist

- Deming Li - Concept Artist

Art Brainstorming

- Creepy Circus mixed with some Victorian and Steampunk (just for clothes not difficult and huge machinery), but giving a bit touch of “humor” or funny look like on characters. Some of the examples of enemies could be midget clowns, strongmen, a kind of magician from 20’s (for a ranger enemy) and so on.

- Main Character would be a girl, with a metal/ bionicle arm (could punch the enemies with that arm or maybe defend herself using the arm as a shield. Another option to put a pistol on the metal arm infinite ammo).

- Environment of mostly wooden planks and some metal plates. In a age where metal is expensive, so they build with wood, but reinforce with metal. Same with weapon, wooden like weapon with metal.

(References, Big Fish Circus, Creepy Circus, Steampunk/ Victorian circus, etc)

Art Clear Ideas

After this, we decided to design:

- Five characters:

• Main character - Trixie
• Basic enemy - Midget/ Clown
• Ranger enemy - Magician
• Tank enemy - Strongman
• Boss - Dr. Stromboli

- Four weapons and Melee attack (she will punch the enemies with the metal-arm)

• Pistol - Basic weapon, infinite ammo
• Shotgun - Short-ranged weapon but powerful
• Machine Gun - Large-ranged and fast weapon but weak damage
• Rocket Launcher - Special weapon, will kill every enemy on the screen, huge damage on bosses

- Environment ideas. We thought about start the game in the circus campus, first outside the marquee, where the player has to cross through the theme park and then he will have to enter in the circus tent.