Unearthly Challenge 2009 | R0oK | Transcendence

R0oK · 10-06-2009, 12:12 AM

Hey guys and gals - just wanted to get this going. I've been really looking forward to this competition! I don't have anything to post yet, but I should have my first page of thumbs done by tomorrow night.

I can't wait to see the cool work from everyone!

Razvan-Sedekiah · 10-06-2009, 10:08 AM

Looking forward to thumbnails fellow game artisan!

Davek · 10-06-2009, 07:40 PM

Welcome back ROok. Expecting great things from you!!

Absorber · 10-07-2009, 02:51 AM

Thanks for the comment on my thread

I will definitely keep an eye on your thread, your great at environments

Like the mini-comp from before this will end great

R0oK · 10-07-2009, 04:02 AM

Hey Raz, glad you're participating again! It's always fun to watch your threads.

Thanks Davek, you too man!

And thanks Absorber - I'll be keeping an eye on your thread as well.

Well I promised I'd post something tonight so here is the first page of thumbs... I haven't found that inspiring idea yet that will really push me forward. Some of these thumbnails didn't end up being much in the way of an environment, but a few offer me some ideas for elements that could pop back up in later compositions.

Oh yeah, and if anyone is looking for some incredible inspiration for this contest, buy the Art of Guild Wars 2... Awesome book!

Gonna get some sleep - will work on this more tomorrow.

srulik24 · 10-07-2009, 05:00 AM

WAHOO!
Great start man

I really love 2 and 12, because they have a center of attention, but all of your thumbs are very nice.

Wikz · 10-07-2009, 05:24 AM

Very nice, i real like 3 and 12. i like the path way up to a center point in 3 it would also be a awesome level working your way up from allsides to your main goal dropping a few bodys on the way. And i love the scale in 12 combining them would be sweet lol. anyway i better get started on mine loving it.

Razvan-Sedekiah · 10-07-2009, 11:04 AM

6. 7. and 11!
I like the interesting flow and shapes in 6, it might look cool with some sharp man made objects in it.

I like the crystal like shapes in 7.

I like the round shapes in 11, but it has a peaceful feeling, which could be an end... but I keep getting the feeling that they want more drama.

Beautiful thumbnails!
It's good to see you again!

dwinbotp · 10-07-2009, 11:37 AM

*Wonders what #9 is supposed to be but loves #12*

R0oK · 10-08-2009, 08:37 PM

Thanks everyone! I will definitely keep in mind what you all responded positively to

Here are some more explorations... I feel like I'm starting to get warmed up on compositions and finding out what I need to make a successful 'last level.' One thing I realized while working on 14 is that a last level will usually have 2 encounters. A sub boss then the last boss, so it might be smart to have 2 points of interest with one being the dominate of course. But that is just something I will keep in mind for future compositions.

I am liking 18 the most out of these I think. It could work really well if I add a bit more canvas to the top (and figure out what the all important center of interest is).

I am heading out the door in a minute but I will get to everyone's thread later tonight or tomorrow, I promise!

Also, I apologize if the color I used on page 3 makes your eyes bleed lol - It was fun using something other than black and white to sketch with but that may not have been a good choice.

DV8 · 10-08-2009, 08:48 PM

great sketches! very fluid, organic and dynamic. looking forward to seeing where you go with this. very inspiring.

srulik24 · 10-09-2009, 12:20 AM

I love 18 !

rickardwestman · 10-09-2009, 01:20 AM

yeah, as srulik24 said, i also love 18! really cool composition, leads you straight in to that opening! i really like your "stranges in a strange land" entry and i'm really looking forward to what you will give us this time!

Phill99 · 10-09-2009, 01:33 AM

WOW some amazing sketches you have there, I'll be keeping my eye on this thread for sure!

R0oK · 10-10-2009, 12:51 AM

DV8: Thanks! I'm glad to hear that you think they are dynamic. I've always had trouble making dynamic/interesting compositions.

srulik: woot woot, glad you like that one. I'm gonna keep trying out different routes but that one will definitely get further attention.

rickardwestman: Thanks man! Your strangers entry was awesome - probably one of the more creative/colorful things I've ever seen.

Phill: Thanks - feel free to stop by when ever and I'll do the same.

So, not much here but I figured I'd post today's sketches... Still playing with some of my initial ideas when I first read the brief. I'll probably do 1 image with some kind of platforming since that's a pretty easy to read game-play element. I like 25/26 but 23 might feel a bit more epic. Dunno.

Phill99 · 10-10-2009, 04:00 AM

Your are very fast at making quality sketches it seems. My sketches always suck

anyways, 21 would be awesome if it was set in a dense jungle, I also like 23

srulik24 · 10-10-2009, 04:04 AM

22 and 23 look interesting to me

I love how everything is breaking into smaller pieces in your thumbs
keep em coming

Wikz · 10-10-2009, 05:11 AM

Im liking your 14 the best although 24 looks interesting. i like the twist in the tower. the steps in 23 can get frustrating in games but it looks sweet. anyway nice work so far love your style.

rickardwestman · 10-10-2009, 05:35 AM

hey, master of thumbs

23 is my favorite so far! i really like the looks of the steps and the light from above will most likely look awesome in a rendered piece! i'd love to see it in a kind of ancient south american setting or something like that. so R0oK, which one is your favorite? hard to actually choose only one from all these cool ones, or are you going to do multiple entries? i'd love to see more then one finished!

R0oK · 10-12-2009, 11:28 PM

Phill: Thanks man, and don't be down on your sketches - you seem to be just fine at them.

srulik: Glad to hear you like 23. I might try my hand at that one next.

Wikz: Good point on platforming being frustrating - there must be some people out there that like it though haha. I'll keep that in mind and try to make it as fun as possible when designing it - and thanks!

rickard: 23 coming right up! (well maybe a day or so, I've been a tad lazy). So far my favorites have been similar to what all of you guys have liked... most notably 18/23. I need to challenge myself and do at least one as an interior of a spaceship or something like that (somewhat like 11 but more interesting). Although despite so many thumbs I haven't really hit on any real inspiring ideas, so I feel like I'm still blindly searching for something. Anyways I definitely want to do 3 entries and will do my best to get them done

Anyways I painted up 18 today (I tried to do it fast...). It's a fun image but it isn't quite unearthly or last level enough for me.

The search continues!


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