Destructible Assets

Here are some destructible assets for my racing game, a moonshine jug and a wooden wall. Explosions are bonus fun.

Racing Game: Level Storyboard

Today I'm posting a storyboard for the racing game level idea I presented in the last blog post. I wanted to focus on the key moments of the race--high impact areas where the player is most interested. I also wanted to make sure that from the racer's point of view key landmarks are visible like "Old Man's Hill". Though not all of these thumbnails are from the players view, it still helps to understand where the camera is at.

Christmas Tree Lights: The Never-Ending Arrays

Here is an array set up with a text file which tells the lights to either turn on/off and change colors. Merry late Christmas!
Arrays are tough, but it was fun to use a text file in order to set up the light animation. Way easier than previously. Here are some screenshots of the blueprints as well:

Racing Game Level Design Research- Appalachian Frenzy

"Some good ole boys up in the Appalachian Mountains got wind of some guys down in Hazzard County, Georgia runnin all over the place in their car called the General Lee, or somethin. Well, they've decided it's time to have some fun in their neck of the woods too. Watch out, cause they're gettin rowdy."

I've had the itch to get back to my roots and make a concept around a tiny secluded town in Kentucky, so a preliminary level design for a racing game seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so. 

I love this video of the "Dukes of Hazzard" with a car chase through the woods on some back country roads.

And I also thought this video was really cool too. It's from a game in development called "Next Car Game". All the different traps caught my interest. 

I decided to combine these two things in a couple of ways. You can see those ideas in the sketches below: 

The first is an old water mill up the creek from town. The boys have added some giant spikes so they have to jump through them. What happens if they land on one? Well, I'm sure you can imagine.
Second is the gas station that's fallen in the process of the boys having a good time, so why not use it as a ramp to jump over some barrels of gasoline?

This mean trap is for the drivers who can handle the messiest of roads after a storm. But today the trees are falling because of the boys, and not a tornado. 

The level itself would take place during mid-afternoon on a clear day in Summer, after all, that's when boys get the most bored. As stated before this would take place in the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Kentucky. The color palette would look something like this: 

I want the setting just to feel natural with pretty green trees, some nice water, and the brown of the dirt road and trees. 

Here's the map I came up with: 

As the level progresses a couple things will happen. On the first lap around players will be directed to the gas station which will fall over as they exit, creating a ramp for the next lap around. As they pass the local fire station the second time firetrucks and police cars will come out to chase them. On the first lap around the players won't experience the boys cutting down trees with chainsaw, but on the second lap they'll start cutting, and on the third lap players will have to dodge previously fallen trees. 

The players have a couple landmarks running through the level. On the map you can see "Old Man's Hill" which looks like a bald man's head that players can see during all parts of the level. They'll also pass through the town and see the courthouse, fire station, and crowd/bleachers of people watching. The dirt road will guide the players around the town and woods. 

The level will be a fast paced and rough and tumblin' time. Gotta love wreckin cars in the country. 

Arrays and Cars

I feel like my whole life is about cars now, so here's yet another car driving by in a light system set up with arrays in Unreal. I could use some more sleep. 

Day 5 Art Challenge: Final Day

Today as the art challenge wraps up I'm posting some old high school work that I'm still fond of to this day. Art doesn't always have to be perfect, it just has to mean something to you. To me these are reminiscent of finally feeling a sense of belonging somewhere. You can't beat those kinds of memories.

I wish I had more images, but sadly files have been lost over the years. The originals are still safe and sound in Kentucky though.

I remember this taking forever, but it was incredibly fun. 

A bit more positive a view on factories. Perhaps this one just makes clouds. 

Dr. Seuss anyone? I want to get back to watercolors and ink. 

Day 4 Art Challenge

Drawing other people's characters is a great way to get some drawing done without the pressure of hitting a creative high. Here are just a few highlights for day 4 of the art challenge.

Playing with values is one of my favorite ways to get started.

I can't resist a cool headdress like this. 

I can't resist a creepy mermaid either. 

Day 3 Art Challenge

Since yesterday was all about the animals let's look at some people today instead. Here are some sketches from life in figure drawing classes and around town.

Quiet gentleman at Starbucks.

Some folks waiting in line.

OVER EXPOSURE! But the folds are the most important part here anyways.

Day 2 Art Challenge

For day 2 I focused on some animal studies done at a local garden attraction and a big cat sanctuary. Days drawing animals are the best.

Big cats, big paws

This guy has some stories to tell.

A couple of parrots...they don't seem to like me much.