2nd Place - Bbox85 - Home Sweet Home
Comments: Nice and cozy! Artistically great post apocalyptic design. The lighting is nice and warm with great use of god rays coming from the mountain ranges. The little details like the pelicans and shoe hanging from a clothing line sells this scene as a "good" setting. The slow for kids sign adds that home feeling. Definitely get the sensation that the inhabitants made the most out of their situation. Technically this piece has good use of polygons. The modular mountain backdrop worked out well and the level of detail is consistent in the foreground. Looks like a level section from Rage on one of the race tracks you would drive past. SECOND! "Does look a bit isolated compared to the background environment"

3rd Place - B-DIGITAL - Chamber of Malice
Comments: Boss fight room for sure! Artistically has a nice creepy, covered in gore and slime "on the cables" with moody lighting. Any time technology and massive pulsing organs get mixed into crazy cybernetic configurations you know something bad is going down. I would expect this to be one of those centerpiece sections in a level as an objective to blow up or fight. Great lighting and shaders. Technically the shader setups in this image turned out very convincing. Games like Quake 4 and Dead Space come to mind when looking at these images. THIRD! "UV texture usage could have been more optimized. inconsistent polygon density for minor items"

4th Place - vAntage - Metzelei Haus
Comments: Gloomy with twisted experiments happening in hidden places! Artistically this image gives an overall dark vibe of evil. The destruction modeling is pulled of nicely and all the technical machines looks like they have a purpose. Good use of colors and contrast though in some cases sacrificing realism to achieve the effect. Technically the approach of buffer geometry tiling strips for the destruction borders works great. It hides the polygon transitions nicely. The Backdrop resource use is just enough and makes sense for the distance seen by the players perspective. Lighting could use more work though especially since no light bouncing was taken into account. The machines closest to the exposed hole in the building should have received some secondary lighting.

5th Place - Drink Yo Milkshake - World 7
Comments: Xenophobic Vista! Artistically they went with some nice original color pallets for use in this alien landscape. Each individual plant has a character and life of its own. You definitely get the sense that you’re not in Kansas anymore. The fact that everything is hand painted or sculpted gives this image a refreshing look and style. Technically the models work great on an individual bases. The terrain has a nice seamless quality to it though in some cases polygons could have been used to round out other bigger shapes. FIFTH! "Ultimately this image lost some of its charm once everything was put together. The lighting did not fully harmonize all of the pieces into a consistent image" Very original though.

6th Place - Team Bad Juice - Templo De La Vida
Comments: Peaceful techno temple area!. Artistically I like how the classic ideas of arches and cathedral type architectures given a more technological twist. For one everything is made out of metallic or plastics. The hexagonal cloth pattern is a nice touch. It definitely comes across as a game environment which could be mistaken for some Protoss temple but in an FPS deathmatch map gameplay mode. Technically there is a good use of UV maps and shaders. Good modular set construction approach. The modeling does come across a bit rough though with oddly spaced loops in curves and smooth dome shapes. SIXTH! "Aliased final render and lighting that does not come across completely unified offsets the final image"

7th Place - PWNstars - Emberspawn
Comments: This level can eat you! Artistically I think that this image achieved a good overall level of detail and light balance. This comes across as some sort of puzzle room with bad consequences if you mess up or boss battle. Technically mesh construction uses every polygon it can get its hands on. The mesh silhouettes are irregular and interesting. This area would look very sickly in motion. Good use of repeating meshes for plant and organic details. SEVENTH! "The UV mapping on this piece could have used more optimization even if it did not use the full budget. The background itself comes across as a bit blurry in some places."

3rd Place - Peris - Abandoned Colony
I really like how epic this scene feels. I could imagine running through it, wary of what might be lurking, but also taking in the grand view of it all. I think the evilness of it could be pushed more though. Yeah, it is derelict, and I do wonder what happened to drive its inhabitants away, but whatever it was feels long gone. I imagine the sort of "monsters" you'd come across in this world were wild creatures that just happened to setup nest in the city and so the overall scene doesn't feel as evil as it could.

4th Place - Bbox85 - Home Sweet Home
This entry makes me think of some of the scenes in Fallout3. The war has long gone but people are starting to get on with their lives and starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The lighting and mood conveyed in the image are good, the textures are solid, but it is missing something, that last element that ties it together as a peaceful/good scene and not just a hunk of junk in a deserted wasteland.

5th Place - B-DIGITAL - Chambers of malice
Something bad is about to happen, but I don't know what. I think this is the sort of scene you hate to come across. They were up to something evil and something big and I sure don't want to find out, at last not until I find a bigger gun. The color pallet seems cliché, but the overall scene holds together well. It defiantly has a defined point of interest that draws your eye in and it's done well.

6th Place - PWNstars - Emberspawn
It's the sort of world you'd get zapped into through some sort of trans-dimensional vortex, or whatever. I'm not sure how I'd get there, but I would be terrified when I got there. The atmosphere on this one is great and really helps pull the overall mood off. It does feel a little confined though, but I'm not sure I'd want to know what was beyond the fog.

7th Place - tit-tat-toe - Pirates Cove
I see this as that sort of place somewhere between the evil empire and the peaceful world it's gunning to destroy. It's the sort of place you'd stop for whatever reason on your way to take down the evil empire. It tries to betray itself as evil, but you just know this is where you're going to find that one key member of your team who's going to help you take down the empire. Graphically it's well done, the lighting and textures are excellent, but there's nothing really about it that stands out as breath taking. It seems like that breath taking view I'm looking for is just out of frame.

2nd Place - Bbox85 - Home Sweet Home
A bit like WallE and maybe just cluttered but executed very well. Weight around the phone wires helps with the mood - this home has a real 'lived in' feeling - >ding dong doorbell< ...may I come in ? light touches, blooms, glows, glints, mist and focus are great.  This speeding highway has become a stagnant place of rest; r.i.p! 

3rd Place - Zeus - Abandoned Solace
Dramatic and really cool to draw your eye to the centre, even though the sky is dark there is a strange un-holy light… is there an outer world being coming to visit ? attention to detail; vegetation is a nice touch and heightens everything - giving us life - well done !

4th Place - Druggon - Smugglers Town
Reminiscent of the film 'taxi driver', this has enough small touches to believe that this place could not only exist but also contains clues to stories or events past (or in the future).  Not perfect but entertaining none the less - who is mr. smiley ? ...creating a good authentic afternoon mood.

5th Place - Team Nom Nom - Coop D'etat
Like a cross between 'valiant' and 'v for vendetta' - this whole thing is funny.  A good use of a chicken theme and great styling, the projector search lights add drama.

6th Place - Drink Yo Milkshake - World7
Cool; organic and compelling - very hallucinogenic and again, other worldly… it draws the player in, in an original way - how to actually 'play' this level ? fun, am I inside a living breathing surface of a giant creature!? 

7th Place - Urpa - The Dwindling Eye
I like this - not only are the elements central they are also alive and suggest movement and therefore interaction (not to mention the 'all-seeing' eye that is staring into my soul !).  As a team student entry this is very impressive, I like how you have taken the already suggestive concept work one step further.

2nd Place - EzMeow - Dissonance
Love the style, unique.  Lighting could use a little more "evil" mood, green feels too bright and inviting.  I want to read that book though!

3th Place - B-Digital - Chamber of Malice
Waiting for the boss fight to start any second.  Don't see much of anywhere to take cover though, death trap, don't want to be here.  Visually, looks great!  Almost too much to see for such a small room.

4th Place - Peris - Abandon Colony
I want to explore this place and I can see that there's places to checkout.  Focus building could use something to make it stand out a little more.  Lighting could also be a little moodier for "evil".  The city feels huge.  Foliage looks great on these buildings.

5th Place - Toc Toc Toc - Wayward Machinery
Focus looks like something I'd want to stay away form, but not many places to take cover.  Streets could have used more clutter (abandoned vehicles, garbage, ruble, etc...).  Nice touch with the "comet/device on entry" in the background.

6th Place - Joyal - Ellipsoid
Busy looking city.  Diffuse and specs look great, feels cartoony yet not, I like that.  Wish I knew were to go to explore the rest though.  Focus platform could use something that would draw my eye even if it wasn't centered in frame.

7th Place - Zeus - Abandoned Solace
Like the render style and colors.  Looks peaceful here, enlightening, even in a ruin.  Foliage on upper back wall doesn't look natural, I keep looking at that.  Background could use something more interesting. 

2nd Place - ZFCoe - Water Crystal Realm
I love the idea of a fantastical underground life. It's very well thought out and imaginative. Color scheme is perfect for the presented environment.

3rd Place - Kenjitsu - Benjamin Salmi
I really like this one for its sense of scale and openness. Looks like a fun place to explore!

4th Place - Davek - Netdevil
Very cool contrast between technology and nature. I get a really good sense of playability in this one.

5th Place - Hideyoshi - Alien Gounds
Great lines, great energy, cool technology. The modeling sheet really shows off the sense of scale nicely.

6th Place - NerveSaw - Obelisk
Atmosphere is great here. Nice balance between man's geometric shapes and nature's unstoppable growth.

7th Place - Shae@Surreal - Stuff
I like this entry because it feels like that futuristic sterile environment we once thought we would live in when we dreamed about the future. Nice marriage of man and technology.

3rd Place - Glash - Pearl Station
The artist used the environment in a clever way with very clear representation of how the structure is unified with its surrounding terrain. The color is very nice and subtle with just the right amount of warm highlights.

4th Place - Kenjitsu - Benjamin Salmi
This painting is successful in its use of light and color. I enjoy the design, in its framing of the focal point, which is in the sweet spot of the composition.

5th Place - Syncmax - The Hidden Space
I like the Dramatic mood which is made with such strong contrast in value and color. The design is very interesting and destinct.

6th Place - Jur - Secret entrance
The simplicity of the design is very nice. The artist made great use of a very nice palette.

7th Place - ravensbane - Catacomb world
I enjoy the expressive feel of the finished piece. It is a great exercise in restraint which helps the clarity of the design.

2nd Place - actcathorse - Fallen Church
This is a great evil world, makes you shudder at the thought of what sort of beast call this place home.

3rd Place - GSlash - Pearl Station
This place stands out as a ray of hope inside a bleak and dreary world, the perfect sanctuary for a battle wounded hero to heal all wounds.

4th Place - Jeff MD - Purple Haze
The imposing structures seem to be clawing away at the sky. This isn’t a place for brave heroes, only lunatics venture here.

5th Place - Hitsys - Skyships
The two gigantic structures seem to be forever in conflict. Great balance between the organic and non organic.

6th Place - Hideyoshi - Alien Gounds
Even though this place seems rigid, there’s a peaceful tranquility to this.

7th Place - syncmax - The Hidden Space
Even though the concept is loose, It’s grandeur and evocativeness is very clear. As a player I can see myself arriving at this level and being in awe at this heavenly structure.

2nd Place - syncmax - The Hidden Space
What an impressive image, it is a close call from being number one. I like the amount of detail, which makes this a very convincing environment - which one would love to explore. The design and presentation is very professional.

3rd Place - kenjitsu - Benjamin Salmi
Very high quality image, that instantly makes one dream about how it would be to be there. Color and contrast work very well and the composition is effective for drawing the viewers attention. I also find the sketches very impressive. The points that cost this image a higher rank is the rushed model sheet, which does not clarify the central object.

4th Place - Davek - Netdevil
Great colors, and catching design. The composition of the artwork guides the eye very well. The sketches and model sheet show great lineart skills and nice design ideas, that unfortunately lost a bit through inconsistency in the coloring.

5th Place - Shae@Surreal - Stuff
This image shows great how to convey a "good" environment - the colors are very pleasing and support the great composition. The model sheet seems quite useful. The only thing missing for this piece to achieve a higher ranking is a surprising new detail that distinguishes it from common futuristic concepts.

6th Place – Asa - Rock Island
Very tough to decide on those rankings - there are many images of similar quality. I voted for this one mostly because of the great idea, and the excellent model sheets. This is how model sheets really should look like, they give a clear picture of the design, explain smaller details and show the modeler hidden parts. The final colored image lost some of the potential and without the model sheet some of the great ideas would not be clear.

7th Place - WickedFingers - Realms of Nefarious
The idea and atmosphere of these images clearly put them above other entries. I would love to see this scenario in a game - it is unique, clearly shows an evil twist, and a breathtaking scale. But it lacks in execution, like clear lighting, convincing effects and sharply defined shapes of the details. Yet apart all that: it would make an astounding level to walk though.

2nd Place - Jacobromeo - Imperium Vampirious
I like the drawing style of this, very close to Moebius who has been for me an inspiration not only conceptual but also artistically. The monochromatic colours are great and the clear line style might look out of fashion those days because of all the refreshing and new Photoshop and Painter painting styles but it stays and is a strong style which we often use in the Concept art department especially to communicate detailed assets towards the rest of the hybrid production pipeline. Perspective and the use of shadow is strong here. The light beam on the back wall makes this piece of art coming to live. The mysterious professors lab, steam punkish, interstellar, machine lab as I would call it is telling a lot of story. What's the device doing in the tube? Where is the light coming from? What is this room and the machines its function? Is this set in the past, alternative present or future? It makes me curious, which is what a concept drawing should do in the first place, together with defining space and already eventual indications how it can be build or transformed to sets in a stage or in 3D . Strong piece of art, clever use of light and shadow. Although the setting is busy and detailed it is not overdone. 

3rd Place - Nihilicon - Wreck of the Polaris
A lot of story in this one as well. Pirate lair protected by thick salvaging, deep cliff, ice sea that is the perfect natural protection for a hide out. The windows in the foreground structure reveals an interesting level structure not only in height but also in the depth going under the ice cap. Not sure about the connection between the small houses and the main central column. Needs to be more reinforced to give it a more realistic feel. Composition would work better when the image was not angled. Perspective needs work. Nice painterly style and distant depth.

4th Place - ScipioDalamar - Titan land
I would almost say that this is on the same planet as the artwork Kenjitsu from Benjamin Salmi is from. The big difference of course after a civilization colonized and planted their refineries there to extract this world its natural resources (humans maybe?). It's an interesting setup. We are dealing with 3 different styles here. The big unearthly scaled monolithically structures in the background that are very stark in style, the more industrial functional factory like structures covering the surface and the natural shaped rock formation that seems to be part of a huge high cave and the world's natural habitat. I like the way we are viewing the whole composition from inside the cave and looking outside. Perspective and depth of field is great, colours are working very well for this rather dry, hot vista. The integration of the Architecture with the landscape is also working quite nicely and looking at the preparations of this artwork it pays of to first study, in small doodles, some compositions. This artwork is probably the start of visualising a big Sci-Fi story to be told, in the realms of Blade Runner.    

5th Place - Shae@Surreal - stuff
Peaceful Utopian vista. Maybe a bit to clean but all very realistic and a perfect drawing to explain the architecture when it needs to be translated to a real live film set. Would work perfectly for a realistic bluescreen backlot or studio build. Clearly defined shapes. The perspective is standard but is always working well to explain this kind of architecture. It's not entirely correct as the person on the right together with the balustrade looks much smaller, compared with the people on the left.       

6th Place - Centrifuge - Heavensfire Tundra
Although not complete in my view, a good setup. I therefore consider this more a speedpaint concept to communicate a certain mood. Composition is strong. Colours and landscape are telling us it is an evil, unnatural hot place. Needs much more work though. Reference person in a withholding posture to go any further in foreground is missing (giving the whole image a better scale), accompanied tracks showing where the person comes from and that the mountain is covered in a slightly thick ash dust can reveal more of the story to be told. Conceptual there might be an interesting story here. It might be a trapped entrance to the deeper underground, inside caverns of the mountain. I like the looseness, colours and composition of it. Maybe part of a Conan film sequel art department concept. 

7th Place - ZDCoe - Water Crystal Realm 
Reminds me to a scene in the movie 'In the Name of the Rose' where Sir Sean Connery is loosing his apprentice Christian Slater in the staircase library labyrinth inside the tower, but with a much bigger budget. This could have been the outside of the labyrinth. This is the kind of stuff a big budget feature adventure movie is asking for, a la Tomb Raider. Composition is ok but the camera tilt was not necessary. Careful with blurring elements out close to the front. The broken construction left of center was not really necessary as it is sitting there a bit unsuccessfully. It disturbs the view of the caves behind the waterfall. The drawing tells a lot of story and at the same time raises a lot of questions. This is what concepting is all about, coming up with just still believable and not too unrealistic realizable ideas.