Concept Arts

[MadWasp]

Some people say they would like to see some GD concept arts. Hmm maybe they are right. What do you think?

[Panthro]

Yeah, that would be good.

Before I switched to an awesome Icelandic volcano picture, my background used to be a Diablo 3 artwork (Fallen then Tristram cathedral).

[heron]

watch out for Evil Medierra!

[Rhis]

My desktop background is a Grim Dawn screenshot. Muhahahaha.

[Father Squid]

But is it one we have seen? Or a mystery one we know nothing about? That is the real question...

[medierra]

We'd post concept art if we had anything worth showing. Problem is, we don't really have time to make fancy marketing-quality concept art. We don't even have a concept artist. The 3d modelers sketch stuff out and / or do paint-overs of photo-reference that is just good enough to convey what we're going to make, get design to sign on off on it, and then they go to work modeling it.

So just to give you an idea, this is pretty much what our concept art looks like if it isn't just paint-over photo reference:





Pretty slick eh? Ok, maybe not... However, a lot of what you see from companies as "concept art" is really marketing art. It may be a real concept but usually someone has put a bunch of extra time into polishing it up for public consumption. Sometimes the actual development concept art is done to that level of quality and I've met some really talented concept artists while working in the industry. My feeling though, is that it is a waste of time to create concepts that are works of art in themselves (unless you're making them for marketing purposes). For development purposes it is generally unnecessary to do anything so elaborate and just one of the many reasons games cost so much to make. I've found a lot of the best looking concept art doesn't even convey a lot of the essential information 3d modelers need to reliably create the asset as design needs it to be. I think the best value for our fans is for us to focus our efforts on the art that is actually going into the game instead of concept art, which should be just a means to an end.

[Scryer]

I think that's fine, I like the art I've seen with the game so far, it's pretty good, more on the realism side of things yet it has it's own subtle distinguishable traits.

Are you planning on any other-worldly creations? (other then enemies) for purposes of aesthetics?

[alexei]

That pictures actually make a nice eye-candy for me. Just happy to see any kind of picture of GD.

[subshape]

While I'd love to post some concept art currently I think its best that I spend my time getting stuff in and working for the game than trying to make an amazing concept piece. While I'm sure I could crank away on a 1-2 week "concept piece" it'd probably bring the Grim Dawn Art Dept to a stand still. Also, what concept art we do have is just that, concept. And in a lot of cases we could very well decide not to make that specific monster design or asset so I'd like to wait before posting many conceptual ideas when they might not actually end up in game thus giving you a false idea of what to expect in the final release. Right now we're in the middle of making sure key features are in and working properly so it's important we get some solid initial environment set dress and structural elements into the game so that we can set quality bars and examples for the other artists so that our art stays consistent through out the game. Typically, I'll spend about 1 night on a concept just to rough out the idea and make sure it makes sense to both design and animation/tech. Then I just make it happen.
I'd much rather wow you guys with awesome in-game art than make-believe concepts.
B

[MadWasp]

Originally Posted by subshape

While I'd love to post some concept art currently I think its best that I spend my time getting stuff in and working for the game than trying to make an amazing concept piece. While I'm sure I could crank away on a 1-2 week "concept piece" it'd probably bring the Grim Dawn Art Dept to a stand still. Also, what concept art we do have is just that, concept. And in a lot of cases we could very well decide not to make that specific monster design or asset so I'd like to wait before posting many conceptual ideas when they might not actually end up in game thus giving you a false idea of what to expect in the final release. Right now we're in the middle of making sure key features are in and working properly so it's important we get some solid initial environment set dress and structural elements into the game so that we can set quality bars and examples for the other artists so that our art stays consistent through out the game. Typically, I'll spend about 1 night on a concept just to rough out the idea and make sure it makes sense to both design and animation/tech. Then I just make it happen.
I'd much rather wow you guys with awesome in-game art than make-believe concepts.
B

Ok. I see. In game development is more important than drawing/painting.It's very racional decision in our situation. I agree. Go ahead!