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Quote:While that's true, I do think the 'Big Bads', 'Big Goods' and the real Signature Characters do, in a way, deserve more love than anything available to players. Heck, the reason we were slapped down with for not getting capes like Hero One and Statesman was because they were 'Signature Character pieces'. Ditto for others.Originally Posted by Noble Savage
In some cases, I don't think it's a problem to make signature characters out of CC parts. Valkyrie's a good example--her concept is that she's an armor-clad warrior with a mythical flavor, and you've done an excellent job showing how it could be done using "off the shelf" parts. And as new options (like Ascension and Celestial Armor for example) continue to come online, it's increasingly doable. I'd use the highres wings instead, but otherwise, I dig what you've done here.
But if a character's core concept requires something we simply COULDN'T make in the CC, then yes--of course it should be built from scratch. As with everything, it's always a question of resources. Where is the team's time better spent: on a signature character or on a new costume set for you guys? In general, I think fans are happier when we go with the latter more often than not, but obviously we're still making plenty of from-scratch signatures too. It's just a matter of finding the perfect ratio.
So...where does that leave us if the Sigs then use NOTHING different from the Player CC?
Take Sister Psyche versus Ghost Widow, for example. GW is instantly recognisable, a very striking character who everyone in game will at least know about.
And then there's SP. Who you'd easily mistake for someone standing around under Atlas or running through Outbreak.
If Signatures are going to BE Signature, they need to look the part. I was merely using the pic to illustrate how little effort it would take to move Valkyrie from looking 'Meh' like she does now, to at least not quite so bad.
And I would have used high-res wings, but theres no option with that headband for her head detail
Glad you liked it though.
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Quote:Welcome to the Modern Media. Apparently it's some sort of crime to have a female character who isn't trite, cliche and basically only there for T and A.Originally Posted by Eva Destruction
Sigh. Those other looks aren't bad in and of themselves, but I cringe every time a female character is "reimagined" with more cleavage and less pants. If all this game's female signature characters start going the way of Boobcat I'm going to complain a lot. It's pretty much to be expected from mainstream comics, but would be a huge step backwards for this game.
And yes, it's dull and sucks. But hey, as long as idiots keep paying for that sorta thing, thats what's 'cool' *sigh* -
Quote:Because Longbow are any betterOriginally Posted by MisterMagpie
That's only if you don't allow yourself to redefine cute as 'oh look, they're murdering people now'
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Quote:Actually, thats a damn good suggestion. I've not seen the Hero side Hami arena, but the Villain side one doesn't have anything unique in the sky.Originally Posted by Hydrofoil_Zero
For hamy make the sky darken and make him/it glowy.
The place should have a really sickly looking sky, and the air should be clogged with spores. I mean, this is the heart of the Devouring Earth; it should look like even the air is trying to kill you and the grass wants to chew your feet off through your boots. Strange, Hamidon-warped plantlife and twisted rocks that have the freaky feeling they are watching you; Abyss and Hive should feel alien and hostile. -
Heck, someone take the idle sound from the Hydra, mix it with the sound from the Seers (the freaky whispers) and then a deeper version of the sound that CoT ghosts make.
THAT would be creepy. As it is, Hami just doesn't feel intimidating (bar his cheaty one-shot hax >_> ) -
Quote:'Adorable'? Is that some sort of code-word for "Ow, damn, stop shooting me! Gah, they're everywhere! KILL THEM WITH FIRE!!"?Originally Posted by MisterMagpie
I'm hoping it's Manticore because he's the one I'd miss least. I mean, all he gives me is amusement that he has his own adorable vigilante organization.
Wyvern are anything but adorable... -
Quote:One, stand-out-like-a-sore-thumb bolt on that is also identical to what it was pre-GR does not a unique costume make.Originally Posted by Aggelakis
Actually, if you look at Battle Maiden again, she has a single-strap bandolier with a red jewel-thingy on it, which is not accessible to PCs...thus making it a signature costume piece. Her spear-axe is also technically a signature costume piece.
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Quote:What's really annoying is that Bobcats concept art had her with black stripes that helped break up the suit a little, and better hair. That seemed to get lost when they handed it over to Jay. Which...irks me.Originally Posted by Samuel_Tow
Bobcat is just so, so, SO plain. I know it's supposed to be a catsuit, but it just looks like her texture hasn't loaded yet. Ugh!
... Sorry, sorry. It's just... Full-set anything characters take me out of my skin... -
Quote:What she needs is a fully unique look that is as high quality as Mirror Spirit and worthy of a Signature character. As does Battlemaiden. I mean, on the one hand you have Marauder and Motehr Mayhem and their unique, awesome costumes. And then you have Battlemaiden and Black Swan who are bland and straight out the CC. I mean, varying standards much?Originally Posted by Angelxman81
I think the Valkyrie armor is perfect for, you know a Valkyrie
Matter of tastes...
While I know my version is a bit bland for her, I just know she needs to wear the Valkyrie armor, maybe other colours, maybe the helmet and the kilt... -
Completely off-topic;
I still hate how they made Manti and Sis look like utter pansies in the official pic. I mean, come on, these are damn Phalanx members, they can take a few knocks and not go all weak kneed! -
Quote:Ok, maybe not the T-Shirt and Jeans, sure.Originally Posted by The_Demon_Hunter
Look at what DC is going through online right now as they prepare to overhaul the looks of their characters with their planned September relaunch/retcon/reboot/non-reboot (depending on the title and who you talk to) because of how much they're changing some characters from their known looks. Superman in blue jeans and a t-shirt in flashbacks isn't exactly winning hearts and minds of long-time fans on the internet. Neither is the "armored" look he's going to have for modern stories.
And be careful who you approach about Harley Quinn's new look.
But the others? Awesome, IMO. Supes FINALLY realised his underwear goes on the inside. Only took him how many years?
And, yes, Harley does look a little too TnA service there. But her Arkham Asylum and Arkham City looks? Fits fine IMO. -
Quote:Except that looks, IMO, nothing like Valkyrie.Originally Posted by Angelxman81
She also looks, to put it bluntly, like a pansy. The big bubble armour looks ridiculous. Valkyrie isn't pretty or shiny. She's a tough girl in suit of armour with a damn big sword and a spear. All the redesigns I've seen so far do not reflect that. -
The only time I dislike KB is on my PBs Solar Flare. The Dwarf form does KD, so why can't my human form?! *sigh*
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I like Hurl and Boulder just fine as they are, personally *shrug*
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Rularuu wings, to my mind, would look more like wings made out of inter-connected blades and spines then they would feathers. Something like the Organic armour wings crosses with the Valkyrie wings. And with an eye on the joint.
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Quote:Except Battlemaiden looks blocky and ugly. She is, frankly, puke coloured. And these signature characters should be signature. Not something you can instantly replicate in CC.Originally Posted by NightErrant
Hrm...
Oh, while we're here.
Valkyrie.
Old Ugly:
http://wiki.cohtitan.com/w/images//t...x-Valkyrie.jpg
New Hotness:
http://wiki.cohtitan.com/w/images//c...ttleMaiden.jpg
Valkyrie has a costume set with her name. May she please use it?
Here's the redesign in a thread of the same name I made a while back;
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Quote:I like those suggestions (although no more targets pleaseOriginally Posted by Noble Savage
Animation is indeed an art issue, and the way characters move (or don't) interact with each other profoundly affects gameplay.
Just for fun, let me run some hypothetical update ideas past you and see what you think. As a thought experiment only, let's say we were going to update the primal Hamidon model. Again, absolutely no plans for this, but it's an interesting topic to think about. You've expressed a desire to maintain the character's "amoeba-ness," and I whole-heartedly agree with you. That said, there are ways we could potentially make him more visually interesting while staying completely faithful to the character concept.
Off the top of my head, some examples:
--SCROLLING SUB-SURFACE TEXTURES. This is something Jay hooked up on the Fallen Seers recently, and it would give the impression that liquid is flowing across/through the cell wall.
--FLOATING DEBRIS/BODIES. Again, to enhance the sense of realism and dread, wouldn't it be neat to have defeated heroes and/or rubble floating in the cell fluid? Just the illusion of things floating within the creature would help to sell the notion that it's composed of liquid.
--ADDITIONAL ORGANELLES. If I was in a giant single-celled organism, I'd expect to see more naturalistic and a greater variety of organelles within the creature. Maybe you can target it, maybe it's just decoration.
So there you have it. From an art standpoint, we want to do everything in our power to bring these experiences to life in the most engaging, breathtaking, and super-heroic ways possible. Again, a Primal Hamidon update is NOT on the docket at the moment, but if it were, these are some of the things I'd be thinking about.
For me, changes like these would simply be polish on the core experience, deepening the encounter's sense of immersion and realism and keeping the art fresh and modern. This is a living game after all, and ideally we want the graphics to impress both new players that decide to try us out for the first time while simultaneously keeping things fresh for the veterans. I don't think any of the hypothetical updates listed above would harm the Hamidon experience. In fact, I think they could take what's already cool and make it way, way cooler. What do you think?)
However, heres one that should really be considered, in my opinion;
Sound. When you get close to Hami, you should start hearing wierd, organic hums and susserations.
And when you actually step IN the goop? Then you have something as equally freaky as the Hydra sound.
The Hydra passive sound is one of the single creepiest sounds in game. It's a crying shame more hasn't been made of that one, simple but effective sound loop. Having something like that, only more so and more Hami-esque (him whispering at you how worthless you are, and how you should give up now to save yourself the trouble, etc) would be very effective IMO. -
Quote:I'm guessing (note, I have no idea) they may get 6 free.Originally Posted by Smiling_Joe
The five extra slots begs the question:
What about VEAT's, who already get six costume slots - will they get eleven if they purchase this?
Oh, and;
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Quote:AgreedOriginally Posted by Captain_Photon
Wow, man. In spirit, if not strict format, that is pure haiku. Well done.
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Oh 'eck, ones I forgot;
Noble Savage: Asymmetry! It looks awesome! The giant, leonine-mecha mix really works well.
Mirror Spirit and Foreshadow: Especially Spirit. I mean, why do all the sigs not have that much detail and high quality texturing? Spirit is the single most beautifully made model in game. Bar NONE. -
Awesome, awesome win makes me regret not getting an article done in time
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Ok, this may be a LONG post
Humm...I realise this should be about signature characters...uhm...damn, I put groups too. Oh well, will throw this up as well, eheh.
Good:
Arachnos. Like, all of them. The entire group is worth mentioning here as having both aesthetics and function. You look at them and 'Evil's glares back at you. Recluse really wasn't scared of saying 'To hell with you, this world is MINE, and THESE will be the bad boys and girls to take it from your cold, dead hands!'
Recluse himself has an awesome design, as do all the patrons. Fairly high-res models, lots of detail. The Patrons lackeys, Ice Mistral and Silver Mantis, are a little bland compared to the more visually striking Barracuda and Wretch, but not too bad. Mistral comes off the worst. Still, that said, they are all very clear, solid designs.
The IDF and PPD. Power-armoured enforcers with highly detailed and HD rendered kit. Simple but striking.
The Resistance. Mish-mash armour, cyber-punk neon and wacky hair. All in glorious HD (notice, High Quality helps a LOT on models). You see the symbol and the blue glow, you know exactly who you're dealing with.
Praet Clockwork and Warworks. The deadpan, inhuman faces. The bulky armour and smooth lines. The exposed circuitry making it clear they're only mimicking human shapes. Pure awesome.
The Rikti. What's not to love? High tech power armour, that unique body shape (I still want a Rikti body type, or costume parts >_> ) and the curved, alien tech-look that makes it instantly clear you're fighting something inhuman here.
Bad:
Hamidon. Look at me, I'm the most powerful threat in game, and IM A GIANT JELLY! /trollface
Honestly. Hami isn't scary. At all. It's...kinda pathetic, actually. Whereas the new Praet Hami GMs look awesome.
Skulls, Hellions, Trolls, Outcasts and Warriors. Dull. Bland. Samey. They look like carbon-copies of each other. The Skulls masks look like cheap papier mache. The Trolls just look like someone painted them green. The Outcasts have NO destinguishing features aside from the different jerseys. The Hellions and Warriors have some ok details, but they're far too low-quality to really notice and appreciate.
Tsoo. Specifically the Ink Men. The Enforcers are all unique and awesome. The bosses are massively varied. So WHY do the bread-and butter minions have nothing more than a palette swap? They should have something unique to mark each type out aside from the colour of their trousers. Not to mention 0% distinction between 'animal' types above Enforcer rank.
Sky Raiders. I love the designs. I hate the lack of variety. Assault Raiders should pack heavier armour, Inferno Raiders should be black-clad, gas-masked pyromaniacs, Officers should have epaulettes and showy medals, Engineers should have tech-harnesses with all their kit on. Keep the distinctive helmets, gauntlets and jetpacks, but build on it.
Devouring Earth. Dear god, if anyone is guilty of palette swap its these guys. No variation at all, bar colours. DE are boring to look at after a while, especially as you level. -