DWIV - 3D - Buzzy - Vithril

[BiG ToE-3DT]

I got you a few extra days.

not really, but, you do have until the 18th. Keep your pimp hand strong.

[Warlock 279]

Sorry, to see Vithril v1.0 having fallen, but I'm v2.0 will bring some vengeance for his fallen comrade!

Yeah now, lets see what you can do in 10 [or so] days! Definitely, stylized sounds good, maybe even a self illum style texture set up? I know that probably won't show of your shader skillz as much as you'd like, but I'm sure you can figure out something to make it shine.

[buzz001]

give your all on this one. You may even surprise yourself.

[Darchand]

Give it your all. If you fail... You fail all of us!

No pressure

[Buzzy]

Ok, heres a quick rough concept I made. Its not good, but gets the point across well enough. I will post some images of the model as soon as its a bit more refined.

He's a pirate (norm warlord). But not a stereotypical pirate from the age of exploration. He's from the classical (Roman/Greek) era. He's a former gladiator. Big African fellow with warpaint.

In an attempt to prevent himself from ever being disarmed in combat, he sawed off his own arm and attached the hook. His magical weapon will be a sica (basically a bent gladius). He has made some sort of pact with one of the invading demons. The demon enchanted his sword. So long as the blood on the sword never dries, the pirate will never be defeated in combat. The corruption emanating from the sword has infected his hand, giving it a grotesque appearance.

That's the basic background story. Thank god (er...Fred) that we have another week.

I'm trying to avoid too many little odds and ends in the detailing since this has to be done presto digitato.

[Pickman]

I'm gone for a couple weeks and THIS kind of crap happens!! WTF?!!

Ok here it goes. (Long drawn out rant warning )

This particular rule, and I quote, "03/18/2009 - All sketches, ideas, concepts, models, 3d meshes etc must be created exclusively for this competition. Note: No previously made Base meshes!! If you use a base mesh and get caught, you will be asked to restart your entry from scratch. No exceptions," is pretty vague.

As this rule/reg is stated it could be implied that if one were to say, begin their model with a plane, yes a simple primitive poly plane, the resulting object would be in violation of the rules as the plane was "created" before the competition began. But it gets even worse.

The first part of the rule "All sketches, ideas, concepts, models, 3d meshes etc," as stated, is even more open ended now. That pretty much eliminates everything you could possibly think of. Especially since it includes, "ideas." So if I were to use my project as an example, I based it off of an "idea" that i thought up after reading a short story several years ago. Well crap, there goes that entry right out the window. And if I were to start planning out "ideas" for next years comp, I'd be in violation again.

Notice that roughly half of the quoted rule is an elaboration on what was originally in the rules when the competition began. Instead of making it clear, it made it even more unclear, amorphous even. Perfect for the trolls to pick up and and start a pogrom/witch-hunt over.

Jeez FredH, I hope you read this. No offense and thanks for this comp.

Well either way, Buzzy, I hope you finish the previous character, and wish you luck on the next. And I Hope you don't mind that rant, but this situation just sits with me wrong. I decided I'd post it here as the rule has had a direct affect on your entry. Cool story for the new pirate fellow. Keep it going and chin up.

[Warlock 279]

Dude, that story is ace! The bit about the blood never drying is genius. Says all you need to say in one short paragraph.

Getting a bit of a voodoo vibe from him, mostly because of the white paint I suspect, but that's never a bad direction to go. Maybe a bandanna on his head to help push the pirate angle just a smidge more?

Concept looks good to me. Get to it mate!

[poopipe]

jesus, starting again is gonna cost you a fortune in marching powder.

out of curiosity, which mesh are you supposed to have re-used?

a more general question.. are they going to disqualify people for using the preset alphas supplied with zbrush?

[Buzzy]

Pickman - You make some very good points about the rules there. It does say "ideas"... if that is enforced to the letter, then nearly everyone is DQ'd right now. I'd wager that 99% of participants had been thinking of ideas for their character for months leading up to the start of the war. Who wouldn't? Its the biggest game art competition of the year. Of course, alot of that would be impossible to prove. But, I'm playing it safe here.

Warlock - Thanks! Glad you like it. I was definately thinking of some sort of voodoo stylings. I still haven't decided on what to do with his head. I kind of like him bald, but I've tossed around a few other ideas....tribal hair like a mohawk, dreads, a topknot...or pirate headgear like a bandana...or even a top hat. Not sure yet.

poopipe - There are alot of similarities between that initial basemesh I used for the tree guy and my death dealer character. Similar topology and similar proportions. I can understand people's concerns so I'm just going to choose my battles here. Rather than constantly defend myself, I'd rather spend the energy and make a new killer character.

I don't want to start violent mutiny againts Fred, he's got a lot on his plate running this comp. But, I get your point about the alphas. I was actually wondering about zSpheres. That is essentially a premade basemesh (or at least a computer-generated one).

Anyway, onwards and upwards.

[poopipe]

I looked at your death dealer and wondered. Then I came to the conclusion that it couldn't possibly be that.

and no - I'm sure Fred's just playing safe.


oh well - feck 'em, whoever they are.

[buzz001]

Instead of making him bold you should give him somesort of breaded hair. Yes, being a pirate at sea can be quite liberating with a bald-head, butbfrom your first model you had great control of the bark-skin. You could create a complex bread that would reflect the deformed left hand and even add the war paint color as highlights in the hair. Not many have explored the pirates of the Greek/Roman eras while they took control of Northen Africa so this is a really cool concept. I'm with poopipe. free buzzy

[Buzzy]

Ok, here's the low res so far. I'm pretty happy with it. Probably needs a few more details...earrings...a bone through his nose...stuff like that. But I'm going to avoid stuff like straps/armor/etc...that kind of stuff will just eat up time, tris, and UV space.

[hulahuga]

Very sad to hear that man ;(.
Hope all wrks out with the new guy.



Cool idea, I love that "blood never dries" part .

a bit flat headsides...

[Buzzy]

Bit of an update. Sculpted most of the upper body. Haven't touched the hand or hook yet.

[Joseph Pomeisl]

Neat. Could this end up being the only black character in the war? I think it just might be...If you finish you should get some kinda speed award.