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Star Wars: The Old Republic News - New DevBlog: Art and Style
Posted by Keith Cross on Jan 05, 2009 | 8 comments in our forums
Bioware has posted a new article which looks into the artistic style of Star Wars: The Old Republic, which they describe as “stylized realism”.
Art style is often considered one of the most important aspects of a gameplay experience. Done well, it tells a story all by itself, and evokes the mood that immerses you into the character and the environment. Since the announcement of Star Wars: The Old Republic, there has been a great deal of interest regarding the game’s visual style. We’d like to share some more behind-the-scenes information with you and show how our Art Team came to develop what we have come to call “stylized realism”.
The overarching goal of the art for Star Wars: The Old Republic is to bring concept art paintings to life in 3D. This goal has led the artists to forego the use of photographs for surface textures in favor of hand-painting every asset. The concept art also drove the game art to match its heroic and idealized proportions of the characters and environments. Part of remaining true to the classic big screen vision of Star Wars™ is not only to look like it, but also to ensure that the art feels like it on the small screen. There is a fine line to follow in being true to the realistic expectations that we inherit from the movies while making style choices that will play well on the computer screen. This distillation of the Star Wars vision through a painters eye and a fan’s heart forms the core of the visual direction of the game.
Read more here.
With all we can do in the way of graphics these days. With all that Bioware has done up to now (Mass Effect) and coming soon (Dragon Age) in the way of graphics....
Eh... christ. Why doesn't it have to be "stylized". Thats just a shiney way of saying, easier.
I'm not saying I don't look forward to this game. Nor that I won't play it. I'm just saying that I'm tired of Star Wars being treated like a child's toy. I'm tired of Playskool Star Wars. Thats fine for a game series like LEGO, but for a series like KOTOR... I'd hope for something more mature.
Easier on system ressources. Mass Effect did require a pretty decent computer to run smoothly. Pretty sure Dragon Age will, too.
Though, in the end, I'm guessing it comes down to what kind of style you like. For me, I enjoy the environments they showed so far. Architecture, landscapes etc look very nice. Some of the character modles...not so much. -BUT- I'll wait till I see the customization options till I say something definitive about it.
As long as I can make the character to my expectations within reasonable limitations (to limit processing power needed), I think it'll be OK.
As long as you want to be a Jedi then your style will be fine.
blah. yawn.snore,
As long as you want to be a Jedi then your style will be fine.
Errr? I'm not sure I understand?
Errr? I'm not sure I understand?
Your journey through SW:TOR is to become a Force User. You may think your a Mandolorian but eventually you should become a Force User as you unfold your story. This was what I was told. Is there any non-Force Using classes in TOR?
Errr? I'm not sure I understand?
Your journey through SW:TOR is to become a Force User. You may think your a Mandolorian but eventually you should become a Force User as you unfold your story. This was what I was told. Is there any non-Force Using classes in TOR?
Since there are no details yet, I can only tell you what they have hinted at. And yes, supposedly there will be non-Force-users in the game. It was said that they plan to let you play any and all of the roles that you associate with the Star Wars movies. Bounty Hunter, Smuggler, Soldier....at least that's what they've been saying in the Interviews.
Jesus Christ! The "There are going to be too many Jedi" whiners make it a point to post in every single thread, whether it's about their pet peeve or not.