Does anyone know what software tools the concept artists at arenanet are using?

If you're doing it right, what software you use is irrelevant.

They use Photoshop.  It's pretty much the industry standard.

3D Software generally varies from Maya and 3D Studio Max.

Originally posted by Magnum2103

They use Photoshop.  It's pretty much the industry standard.

3D Software generally varies from Maya and 3D Studio Max.

Since when PS is a drawing program?!

It's very likely photoshop.  Corel Painter is also a very good program for making concept art as it's designed specifically for creating drawings and digital paintings.  I use both depending on what I want to do.

Originally posted by mazut

Originally posted by Magnum2103

They use Photoshop.  It's pretty much the industry standard.

3D Software generally varies from Maya and 3D Studio Max.

Since when PS is a drawing program?!

Photoshop is useful enough for many cartoonists, however I tend to believe that more expressive artists use Corel Painter which has myriad tools and brushes for professional concept art.

Originally posted by mazut

Originally posted by Magnum2103

They use Photoshop.  It's pretty much the industry standard.

3D Software generally varies from Maya and 3D Studio Max.

Since when PS is a drawing program?!

Since forever? The first version(s) might've been photo-editing tools.

Originally posted by Fusion

Originally posted by mazut

Originally posted by Magnum2103

They use Photoshop.  It's pretty much the industry standard.

3D Software generally varies from Maya and 3D Studio Max.

Since when PS is a drawing program?!

Since forever? The first version(s) might've been photo-editing tools.

o.O If you say soo.

Photoshop can be used for coloring, refining, modifying etc., but most concept artist start by hand. Personally, if you know how to paint well, coloring by hand is much faster assuming you don't want to make any major adjustments.

One of the great benefits of PS is that you can take one sketch of say a male face, and then use PS to alter and modify to make many more different variantions of faces for the male (i.e. the face choices you have at character creation) without having to make a concept sketch for each one. 

A good concept artist should be adept at both mechanics.

Most artists I talked with that worked on both comics, CCGs and video games work with Adobe Photoshop with tablets (most often Wacom).

As far as modelling goes, depending on game and complexityof the models it's either just Maya or Maya combined with zBrush for the detail/sculpting.

Originally posted by Havok2all and then use PS to alter and modify
 

exactly, its not drawing software.

Source:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsqAQCIdFIs&feature=player_embedded - using Photoshop there to design the Asura concept.

@wizyy  I know there are plenty of other drawing software out there, just my experience is every major development studio I've seen uses PS for the vast majority of their 2D work.

Originally posted by Magnum2103

Source:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsqAQCIdFIs&feature=player_embedded - using Photoshop there to design the Asura concept.

@wizyy  I know there are plenty of other drawing software out there, just my experience is every major development studio I've seen uses PS for the vast majority of their 2D work.

Yep, PS & tablets have been a standard for a long time now.

Originally posted by Lord.Bachus
If i understood correctly allthe concept art is created digitally .. Photoshop is not a drawing tool, but an edditing tool. Corel painter is, but there must e other tools

Yes, but with a tablet essentially photoshop becomes a drawing tool.

Originally posted by Lord.Bachus
If i understood correctly allthe concept art is created digitally .. Photoshop is not a drawing tool, but an edditing tool. Corel painter is, but there must e other tools

Photoshop is an incredibly poweful drawing tool and very commonly used across the board in a lot of art related positions & projects, from start to finish. It's a misconception that it's 'just a photo touching tool'. It's become much more than that. 

Originally posted by Valkaern

Originally posted by Lord.Bachus
If i understood correctly allthe concept art is created digitally .. Photoshop is not a drawing tool, but an edditing tool. Corel painter is, but there must e other tools

Photoshop is an incredibly poweful drawing tool and very commonly used across the board in a lot of art related positions & projects, from start to finish. It's a misconception that it's 'just a photo touching tool'. It's become much more than that. 

 what he said

Kekai Kotaki, anet leader concept artist mainly uses a Wacom Bamboo Pen Tablet and Wacom Intuos with softwares like Gimp, Adobe Photoshop Extended and Lumograph Drawing Pencils. Sketch Set, 12/ST.

Gimp is free http://www.gimp.org/

Originally posted by mazut

Originally posted by Magnum2103

They use Photoshop.  It's pretty much the industry standard.

3D Software generally varies from Maya and 3D Studio Max.

Since when PS is a drawing program?!

i am a digital artist and do both 2d n 3d work. photoshop is the king of drawing programs and is the most used in the industry. most game textures u see are made in photoshop as well.

OP: GW2 art, the good stuff, is done by a japanese hawaiian by the name of kekai kotaki, his website is here:

http://www.kekaiart.com/