Development Blog Update - Happy Halloween 2008 and MASC renders

FlayraFlayra Game Director, Unknown Worlds EntertainmentSan Francisco Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 3Super Administrators, NS2 Developer, Subnautica Developer
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  • locallyunscenelocallyunscene Feeder of Trolls Join Date: 2002-12-25 Member: 11528Members, Constellation
    edited October 2008
    Those look AMAZING. I love the sturdiness undeployed and the fragility deployed. I didn't think I would like the hanging tubes, but they look great.

    Edit: Happy Anniversary!
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    edited October 2008
    Looks good, but the tracks look kinda smooth. You'd think it would not get any traction on a slippery surface...
  • antyanty Join Date: 2003-02-05 Member: 13143Members
    edited October 2008
    Both, the artwork and the actual model looks really sweet!

    Is it really 6 years since NS was released? I was still in school back then. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
  • SleepyfoxSleepyfox Join Date: 2008-07-15 Member: 64629Members, Constellation
    The models look really great! Exceptional work, guys <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />

    Oh, and happy 6th Anniversary / Halloween. Thanks so much for such a great mod!
  • TriggermanTriggerman Graphic Artist Join Date: 2004-11-10 Member: 32724Members, WC 2013 - Supporter
    Not trying to be a pessimist but I think there's certain things you could consider when working further on it. But the concept and general feel of the MASC is just right <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=";)" border="0" alt="wink-fix.gif" />
    Thanks for the update and we love the Twitter updates (we really do), keep it going guys!

    Ehum, my 'feedback' if you even want any:
    Nice work but I think I see some stuff that kinda makes it look a bit stale compared to the conceptdesign.
    The back-end of the turret undeployed could use some slope, it's a bit "boxy" and if you want to go for this kind of organic mechanic design for NS I think you could make them a bit less symmetrical and less square. It feels like an ammo box on wheels when undeployed.
    It also looks very new, think the more war-torn hull with scars in the metal and rusty miscolouring, and the tracks loosing its tension so it's a bit more slack.
    And at the back of it, how about adding some kind display that starts flickering (like a flourescent light) when you start to deploy and then when it's fully operational the flickering stops in favor for some blue glow coming from the display to give some mood.
    It feels like the marines around the actual machine won't be able to do any kind of manual override since there's basically nothing on it, even if it won't be part of gameplay for marines to actually use the MASCs, the machine could logically have it.
  • douchebagatrondouchebagatron Custom member title Join Date: 2003-12-20 Member: 24581Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    I think it looks really great, but it doesnt appear to have normal maps, which would make it look much more real
  • NeXuZNeXuZ Join Date: 2003-08-12 Member: 19594Members
    6 year... wow time goes..

    i remember play NS before STEAM.. good times..

    Anyway love the model and art..and that you are 4 ppl.. wow didnt know that, great working then..
  • MagrathMagrath Join Date: 2003-06-27 Member: 17739Members
    I'd be caught riding around on one of those things naked and still look classy. Good Work!
  • FlayraFlayra Game Director, Unknown Worlds Entertainment San Francisco Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 3Super Administrators, NS2 Developer, Subnautica Developer
    I just updated <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/news/2008/10/happy_halloween_2008_and_masc_renders" target="_blank">the news post</a> to include the birthday music from <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showuser=9689" target="_blank">Hypergrip</a> (ala, Oliver Richter). It's called "Spirits of Sanjii".

    Thanks man!
  • obsidobsid Join Date: 2003-09-16 Member: 20909Members
  • NS-SkorpioNNS-SkorpioN Join Date: 2006-10-31 Member: 58101Members
    Wow! impressive siege model!

    Suck it! you freaking aliens <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/asrifle.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::asrifle::" border="0" alt="asrifle.gif" />
  • ozbirdboyozbirdboy Join Date: 2007-08-07 Member: 61827Confirm Email
    Those renders are looking great guys, good stuff!
  • glimmermanglimmerman Join Date: 2004-04-29 Member: 28300Members, Constellation
    edited October 2008
    As much as I like the model I think the textures need a bit of work.

    The tracks are way too smooth and too big as well. They need to look a bit more gritty and not so Ultra-clean, as well as being a bit thinner. Same goes with the rest of the textures. The turret looks way too clean and square. As was mentioned, try not to make it so symmetrical and perhaps add a lot of scratches/dirt whatever. All of these criticisms would involve almost no model work so would have little if any effect on the poly count.

    Making some good progress though <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /> <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
  • IronFistIronFist Join Date: 2006-12-01 Member: 58805Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1691982:date=Nov 1 2008, 12:09 AM:name=glimmerman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(glimmerman @ Nov 1 2008, 12:09 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1691982"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The tracks are way too smooth and too big as well. They need to look a bit more gritty and not so Ultra-clean, as well as being a bit thinner. Same goes with the rest of the textures.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I thought it was a bit too clean looking too. I can definitely see the high-tech apparatus contained within being pretty clear of wear though (it's sitting inside the protective shell most of the time). This might make the stuff inside the MASC more impressive when it comes out, being near-spotless and everything.
  • haymohaymo Join Date: 2005-01-09 Member: 34040Members, NS1 Playtester
  • TriggermanTriggerman Graphic Artist Join Date: 2004-11-10 Member: 32724Members, WC 2013 - Supporter
    God the Spirits of Sanjii really rocks!
    I have no idea if you can actually use this but this feels so much like Marine-theme :o
    Awesome work Hypergrip!
  • McRedMcRed Join Date: 2005-01-08 Member: 33744Members
    edited October 2008
    Amazing stuff! I agree with a few of the comment's on the MASC's aesthetics that have been posted, though to be fair it's hard not to pick holes in anything when it's being isolated and scrutinised like in this post.

    You guys should submit all of these blog posts to Digg btw - Each one that reaches the front page gets upwards of tens of thousands of click throughs, and the more people that hear about NS2 the better.

    Keep up the awesome work!
  • steppin'razorsteppin'razor Join Date: 2008-09-18 Member: 65033Members, Constellation
    I remember download an early version of NS at a LAN when I was back in school and was blown away by NS! grats on the anniversary.

    Those models look really good too
  • aeroripperaeroripper Join Date: 2005-02-25 Member: 42471NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation
    edited October 2008
    The artist did a great job modeling off the concept. It looks like a skulk hehehe.
    Although I think it should look a little more gritty instead of so clean, or have it so it'll get dirty through the natural progression of the match.

    Another good Halloween update. It's funny how this is pretty much the ONLY game I've ever really followed for a length of time and get excited about. The music is also well done. Good job guys!
  • ToughsoxToughsox Join Date: 2005-01-10 Member: 34518Members, Constellation
    I think I just soiled myself!!!

    Congrats on 6 great years but, BRING BACK BABBLERS !!! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hive5.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::hive::" border="0" alt="hive5.gif" />
  • SirotSirot Join Date: 2006-12-03 Member: 58851Members
    I am not sure how I feel about the "Suck it" scrawled on the front it of it... It will look weird and generic when you have two or three of these things all having the same scratchings. It would be cool if the MASC's logo was randomly generated.

    Also, the tread enclosures are too square.
  • Nima_Nima_ Join Date: 2007-08-30 Member: 62083Members
    edited October 2008
    I personally think the model looks great, the tracks look a tad bland, they don't seem to "pop" out enough, but with the normal map changed it should look fine, regarding a "dirty" looking model, I'm sure you have thought of this, perhaps just make the one model and use multiple textures with changes on them, such as one has "Up yours" on the front instead of the normal message, so that they all don't look like copies of the one, and some could have damage, dirt, alien guts splattered on them?

    You could even break the model down into different sections, and load a random set of textures every time; of course you would have considered this, but I think it would add a great level of immersion with minimal work from the artist.

    This would also add to the dynamism that NS2 seems to be built around.

    I think the model is amazing, especially the barrel section, it looks so complex and fragile! (But looks beefy, like it would kick the ###### out of a hive!)

    Is there any possibility of seeing the animations? I'd love to see them!

    This is really cool work and I really appreciate the constant updates from you guys, I love it how you haven't gone all boardroom style on us! And the more concept art the better, I love checking out all the work you do, as it always impresses me far more than any other developer.

    Edit - The music is really nice too! I loved the original music from NS and perhaps newer/extended versions are in order!
  • TalisTalis Join Date: 2005-01-21 Member: 36519Members, Constellation
    Happy Birthday NS!

    I really like the MASC consepts, but the modeling looks awful. It needs a lot more depth, more detailed work. Looks like too boxy, maybe it's because it's too clean, I dont know <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /> It looks like something from NS1, the new NS deserves better.
  • yodayoda Join Date: 2003-11-27 Member: 23619Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    Nice work on the model, I have two little criticisms.

    1). Abit too clean and the green color is perhaps abit odd, wud be cool to have abit of dynamic camo so it changes color abit to its surroundings or smthn. I also dont mean like dynamic camo like cloak i mean just change the color abit to greens/browns when on dynamic infestation areas and more greys/metalic shades when on normal ship areas etc.
    2). Tracks abit too flat, wud it be possible to bump map the tracks abit to make them look like chunks of rubber?

    I liked the music track.

    I am so happy about progress on the new ns you guys are awesome <3.
  • weywey Cineastè Join Date: 2003-06-01 Member: 16910Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation
    edited November 2008
    Spirits of Sanjii is great, well done Hyper! The process of creating music or art from scratch never fails to amaze me and is still an alchemy-class mystery ;) .

    <!--quoteo(post=1691994:date=Nov 1 2008, 03:06 AM:name=McRed)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(McRed @ Nov 1 2008, 03:06 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1691994"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->You guys should submit all of these blog posts to Digg btw - Each one that reaches the front page gets upwards of tens of thousands of click throughs, and the more people that hear about NS2 the better.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Yes. We really need some more people with digg accounts - the last videocast only had 11 diggs, which is not even close to bringing it to attention to a bigger audience.

    edit: I almost forgot. Happy Birthday! I was hoping that you would make a birthday post.
  • Squeal_Like_A_PigSqueal_Like_A_Pig Janitor Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 66Members, Super Administrators, NS1 Playtester, NS2 Developer, Reinforced - Supporter, WC 2013 - Silver, Subnautica Developer
    Good to hear people like the MASC concept and model.

    A few comments regarding the feedback in this post.

    1. In regards to the treads being too flat: There actually is an updated version of the textures where the treads have more detail, with a pattern on the treads, which breaks up the flatness. The renders shown in the post don't display that later addition.

    2. We are making a "next-gen" game, but we still have to worry about poly counts on every single game asset. For anyone who feels that the model is too boxy and undetailed, we really are at our limits. It's a very intricate model, with the external shell, and then very intricate machinery inside. We actually had to go through an optimization pass to cut down some of the poly count, after it was modeled. And, remember, these are static images, and with the normal map applied in game, when this thing moves the normal map will catch the light and you'll get an added sense of depth and detail.

    3. Regarding the "clean" textures. The textures actually do have a fair amount of scratches and weathering. But, please realize, we are not making Gears of War. The armor and weaponry in that game was meant to have been around for long periods of time, used in battles after battles, with no replacements. The tech in NS 2, however, is meant to be a bit newer, and less battle worn, especially in regards to the MASC, which is meant to be an experimental weapon. Also, do you really want to see mud splattered all over these machines, which primarily are being used in spaceships and space stations? It would look a little out of place.
  • ChromeAngelChromeAngel Join Date: 2002-01-24 Member: 14Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    Nice to see some final gameplay assets rolling off the production line.

    Glad to hear that the MASC does have some normal maps, I was a bit disappointed they didnt show up in the renders.
  • McRedMcRed Join Date: 2005-01-08 Member: 33744Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1692021:date=Nov 1 2008, 01:24 AM:name=wey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(wey @ Nov 1 2008, 01:24 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1692021"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Yes. We really need some more people with digg accounts - the last videocast only had 11 diggs, which is not even close to bringing it to attention to a bigger audience.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    It needs to be mentioned explicitly in the next big blog post imo. All we need is one front page story, which itself will bring in tens of thousands (assuming the server can handle it!) and then it slowly starts to snowball: The people who have never heard of NS will visit (and spread awareness via word-of-mouth), a few will bookmark/subscribe to RSS feeds which will bring them back to digg new stories, some of which can even start popping up in people's article recommendations back on Digg. Definitely worth the effort if we've got enough Digg users here.
  • glimmermanglimmerman Join Date: 2004-04-29 Member: 28300Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1692024:date=Nov 1 2008, 03:11 PM:name=Squeal_Like_A_Pig)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Squeal_Like_A_Pig @ Nov 1 2008, 03:11 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1692024"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->3. Regarding the "clean" textures. The textures actually do have a fair amount of scratches and weathering. But, please realize, we are not making Gears of War. The armor and weaponry in that game was meant to have been around for long periods of time, used in battles after battles, with no replacements. The tech in NS 2, however, is meant to be a bit newer, and less battle worn, especially in regards to the MASC, which is meant to be an experimental weapon. Also, do you really want to see mud splattered all over these machines, which primarily are being used in spaceships and space stations? It would look a little out of place.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    It still looks way too clean. Although we (or at least I) are not asking for major damage, a bit more bumps and scratches here and there will add to the grittyness of the weapon. The concept art captures this really well.

    Just my 2c as well.
  • KhazeKhaze Join Date: 2006-12-12 Member: 59031Members
    Happy anniversary!

    I still vaguely remember the early days, boy it's been a long road. Loved every minute of it.

    Thanks a lot for bringing us this fabulous mod, I can't wait for what the future holds.
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