So, if we're talking about visual reworks, it can take a while. Despite the character being already established, the in-game asset is completely different. This breaks down into these resources needed:
Concept
3D modelling
Texture
Rigging
Animation
VFX
So, that's pretty standard for any champion, original or rework. A new champion currently has 1 skin it releases with. A reworked champion can have a lot, take Ashe or TF for example. So, in the case of Ashe, let's say, that's five skins plus base. Despite two of her skins being essentially recolors, that's still 3 others that need new models, new textures plus custom rigging and animation support to flesh them out. Remember, no original rig remains. That's a really big deal if you know anything about animation. If you don't. trust me, it's a big deal. Depending on those skins, that might be several different sets of particle effects, again, depending on complexity.
If we're doing a severe overhaul like we did with Soraka, that's pretty much taking on a brand new champion because we've brought in the other disciplines such as creative to work on new VO and other story elements. Also, since the old Soraka was appropriately disposed of in a back alley never to be heard from again, that required a brand new concept of her which required the standard amount of scrutiny and sign-off.
Twisted Fate was another such situation. Pretty much a reboot in a lot of ways.
On top of all that, add to the fact that it is our mission in these cases to retain the iconicism of a character beloved by millions and increase it's fidelity and consistency across the board. That's a pretty hefty job. With an existing champion you have a huge open sandbox. With a rework you have a framework that you must preserve. It's like reconstructing a historic landmark.
Just the other day I joined the relaunch team. It's something I plan on talking about more extensively in a couple of weeks. We're currently a pretty small team with not a ton of resources compared to Champion and Skins. But we've got a huge responsibility. I volunteered to be the dedicated concept artist for the team because we were lacking such a resource and right now I feel it's the best use of my time. I want to be able to take what everyone knows and loves about the champions on our list and be able to bring them up to the standard we now have with our current champions, but also to take some of that consistency we apply to our reworks, apply that to current champions and project that to future champion development.
By reworking the past we therefore improve the future. When we make the present consistent, we improve the past. Sort of Orwellian now that I think about it...
Hey IronStylus, Right now I'm doing low and high poly modeling in college and I have a question. How high are the poly count limits for the champions Riot releases now compared to what it did say just before season 1 and with what champion did the poly limit start to rise?
As well, what programs do your artists use for modeling the champions (Zbrush, 3DS Max, Maya, Mudbox)?
I think if I'm going to get better at 3D modeling it would be good to set goals for myself to get characters at those kind of limits or lower and practice with different modeling programs.
Well, I'm a complete 3D bafoon so I'll only be able to say that I have no idea about limits. All I know is that, yes, polys started to rise at some point.. but.. uh.. yeah. Grumpy Monkey may be able to field this question. Also, our Lead Character artist should be getting on here pretty soon to answer such questions. He's in the processes of redification.
As for programs, we use the standards like Zbrush, Maya and Mudbox. We recently do a lot of high-rez sculpts that are later turned into the low-rez model.
I don't want to take the wind out of the sails of an upcoming announcement!
Quote:
Should we expect Karma to get a visual rework with her new mechanics?
Yes She will have a visual upgrade.
Quote:
Which champion is your favorite design-wise? Such as, the one whom you feel is the most impressive.
That's a good one. The quality of the models has improved a ton in the year I have been here, I think my favorite though has to be Hecarim. Not so much his design and stuff, but the process we used to make him revamped our pipeline and upped the quality over all for all the champions since. Technically I think Khazix is our most impressive champ. A lot of disciplines had to come together to make that guy. We basically learned a lot from making PFE and used that knowledge to make kha zix.
Quote:
I know how difficult it is to have multiple textures on one champion, especially when it transitions, but my question is, how is Dragon Master Swain coming in that regard?
@ RIOT why do champion reworks take longer than making a new champ?
some reworks take so long but then riot gives out a champion every 2 week,
if its a matter of coming up with new ideas, they are already doing it with the new champs, so what is it that slows the reworking process?
Concept
3D modelling
Texture
Rigging
Animation
VFX
So, that's pretty standard for any champion, original or rework. A new champion currently has 1 skin it releases with. A reworked champion can have a lot, take Ashe or TF for example. So, in the case of Ashe, let's say, that's five skins plus base. Despite two of her skins being essentially recolors, that's still 3 others that need new models, new textures plus custom rigging and animation support to flesh them out. Remember, no original rig remains. That's a really big deal if you know anything about animation. If you don't. trust me, it's a big deal. Depending on those skins, that might be several different sets of particle effects, again, depending on complexity.
If we're doing a severe overhaul like we did with Soraka, that's pretty much taking on a brand new champion because we've brought in the other disciplines such as creative to work on new VO and other story elements. Also, since the old Soraka was appropriately disposed of in a back alley never to be heard from again, that required a brand new concept of her which required the standard amount of scrutiny and sign-off.
Twisted Fate was another such situation. Pretty much a reboot in a lot of ways.
On top of all that, add to the fact that it is our mission in these cases to retain the iconicism of a character beloved by millions and increase it's fidelity and consistency across the board. That's a pretty hefty job. With an existing champion you have a huge open sandbox. With a rework you have a framework that you must preserve. It's like reconstructing a historic landmark.
Just the other day I joined the relaunch team. It's something I plan on talking about more extensively in a couple of weeks. We're currently a pretty small team with not a ton of resources compared to Champion and Skins. But we've got a huge responsibility. I volunteered to be the dedicated concept artist for the team because we were lacking such a resource and right now I feel it's the best use of my time. I want to be able to take what everyone knows and loves about the champions on our list and be able to bring them up to the standard we now have with our current champions, but also to take some of that consistency we apply to our reworks, apply that to current champions and project that to future champion development.
By reworking the past we therefore improve the future. When we make the present consistent, we improve the past. Sort of Orwellian now that I think about it...
Battle Priestess, I think?
As well, what programs do your artists use for modeling the champions (Zbrush, 3DS Max, Maya, Mudbox)?
I think if I'm going to get better at 3D modeling it would be good to set goals for myself to get characters at those kind of limits or lower and practice with different modeling programs.
As for programs, we use the standards like Zbrush, Maya and Mudbox. We recently do a lot of high-rez sculpts that are later turned into the low-rez model.
..8D?