Final Isometric Game Mechanics

Hi again. Today I've got some finished isometric sketches of a few game mechanics I created alongside my hero prop, my robot's gardening shears. The drawing features PHYL himself, a quick character design. I'll soon be designing the shears out to make them way more awesome than a lame pair of modern day shears!

Mod Kit Update

I've made more progress on my mod kit recently, and a light has finally found its way into it. It took some time to refine, and I'm sure it will continue to change, but I think maglev laser lights will look really cool in the setting of an abbey.
Right now I'm working on a piece of vaulted roof webbing, as well as props and tiling texture sculpts.  A nice rose window is next up. Busy busy!

Finished Character Designs

Here are the results of my rendering! I'm pleased with the results. I'm partial to the lion and space gardener myself. Areas I'd like to improve:
-Continue to push local tone
-More refined lighting
-Better anatomy/posing

Mod Kit Progress

I'm currently working on a mod kit for a French Gothic style Abbey. I've already set up a level that has been play tested and is working well, so now it's time for some refined art. Currently the kit contains:
Light Fixture
Basic wall
Arch wall
Roof wall
Column (with end caps for finishing off roof segments against walls)
Windowed wall
Door wall

These pieces are almost ready to go in for baking and potentially a zbrush pass, though nothing significant. The main portion of my details in texturing will come through a set of a trim normals I'll sculpt in zbrush. I would prefer a majority of my general texturing (base color, metallic, etc) to be defined by tiling textures, and use normals, vertex painting, and deferred decals to do the dirty lifting and create variation.

Isometric Mechanic Sketches

Since the last update I've refined some of my hero props' mechanics. 

First up is our lovable gardening robot. He's got a big garden to work with, so he's going to have to work hard to keep up with the ever-growing plants. He can shape topiaries, trim back bushes, prune petunias, and more. Eventually he'll have to return to his shed to sharpen his shears again, but he may encounter more narrow passages where the bushes grow back almost immediately. Yikes. 

Second is a bit of a goofy one, I imagine it to be a sarcastic point and click like Grim Fandango. You've just moved to a new planet, but at least you've still got your trusty magnifying glass. Use it to translate signs, help locals solve mysteries, and look at dirt! Dirt has a lot to say.

Finally is our little buddy with, no, not a jet pack, but a personal hot air balloon! He can use it to jump ravines, find new islands, and skip over dangerous bits. He's going to have to be careful of where he goes, though, because only some islands have more gas for his jet pack.

Biome Final Screenshot

Hello all! I worked away at this evocative biome for a couple of weeks. My setting was a Florida marsh, and I intended for the scene to come off as serene, inviting, calming.

I feel that the skybox ties a lot of this image together. The foliage textures were hand painted, the skybox and tiling textures are photos/photobashing.

If you're interested in seeing more of my process, please visit my process book.

Here to follow are some contact sheets:

Character Design Sketches: Silhouettes and Scribbles

Here are some rough designs! These sketches are based on random scribbles and silhouettes. My personal favorites are the cat, the boy in the bottom left, and the girl in the bottom right. I'd say my biggest personal challenge was trying to find a sense of anatomy in an abstract blob. The final line art/black and white render of some of these drawings will be completed very soon. I'm excited to see them in a finished form.

Hero Prop/Mechanic Ideas

Here are some ideas I brainstormed for a hero prop and some potential uses.

1.  You wake up every night in your dreams, but without light or any way to guide you on. For months you've been trapped in these dark nightmares, and dreaming is starting to feel all too real. So you've created this companion in your mind. She lights the way, gives you a growing path. She needs rest too, though. When you need to stash her away and hide yourself, she'll fit into your pocket while you wait for the end of her quiet slumber.

2. The cat tore up the curtains again, so it's time for the big guns. Break out your super mega water gun, cats hate that stuff! With just a few snap on attachments you'll be ready to take on that kitten anytime.

3.  Sleeping Dart Blaster Backpack. Controls with bicycle-like handlebars that come up and over the head. Buttons on handles fire darts. Reloads similarly to a belt-fed machine gun, pulling from an open box-like backpack. This character prefers non-lethal methods to move through their environment. This is a goofier, wonkier looking prop.

4. Bush Trimming Wrist Attachments. As a gardening robot you've always been expected to be top notch service, but you're not sure how you're going to fare against this odd new infestation. These plants are growing like wildfire, and the bushes are starting to overtake the kitchen. Use your brand new shearing attachment to combat these wild weeds.

5. Personal Hot Air Balloon. Set up is contained within (fireproof) backpack. Balloon inflation begins inside the backpack. As the balloon inflates, the contraption emerges and sails the user away. Sandbags NOT included.

6. Party planning time! The Deco-Bazooka fires today's hottest, glitteriest fashions in the decoration world at your walls! Decorate for any holiday, mood, or illness. This is the tech for you if you're tired of boring consistent decoration.

7. Simple cloaking device expands outward from your hat, and down to encompass your body. Special light reflecting technology allows smart guys to make you invisible when some protons engage in mingling activities within your light reflective nano-carbon-bro gear.

8. Alchemist's Botany Belt. Create your own concoctions to be used within your greenhouse and add them to your ever-growing collection on your belt. Easy access means you'll be able to deal with any mangy old plant that's trying to get away from you. Literally. Results may vary.

9. Better Underwater Travel. This compact machine contains an engine and propellers that will guide a player through any underwater mishap. Easily navigate through tunnels, strange formations, and evade predators. Main drawback is the inability to travel long distances. Meant for quick action, not long term travel.

10. This magnifying glass, a large piece of equipment you must carry on your back, translates all the texts in the universe to your native language. Through using this translation tool and your wits, you can navigate terrifying and confusing puzzles that want only one thing: your death!