Stance Tests and Rough Stance Animation Final

 RUN CYCLE TESTS FOR NOVA

I tested some run cycles, but I decided to focus on the stance animation for now. We only have 3 weeks left, so I want to make sure I got the basics covered, and if I have time I will animate the run cycle, or even just add a rough one to the trailer to show progress.

I tried to show weight again in the run, the first one I think worked out quite well, except it looked to bouncy.

I think I jumped into detail too fast for this one. Once I finish the stance animation, I will focus on the run more, making it more simple and more gesture like.

TEST STANCE ANIMATIONS

I tried out another few stance animations, I also tried one where Nova is more upright, but I felt that her personality didn't come through. Frans liked the 7th one, although there is still a lot of movement, it could still be used for a stance for after a long run.

I started to put in the basic shapes, I realized that the legs don't move very much, so I changed the timing on the one below.

I tried to animate the hands a bit more, making the fingers move as she moves. The hands are still a bit rough, but once I move to clean up, I will fix them. I tried to vary the legs and head. The hands still move on the same frames, but I think it balances out all the other different timed movements.

Animation Tests!

ANIMATION TESTS

RUN CYCLE

I realized that in order to do a run cycle I need to get Nova's personality down first. I realized that if I worked on the stance first, the run cycle will come to me more naturally because I will have figured out the way she moves in the stance.

While I was testing the run cycle, I wanted to show weight when Nova touches the ground with her leg, making her lean slightly more up straight, and once she pushes off, her body leans forward again. I tried it in the one below, but her body is still leaning forward too much.

STANCE

I started on doing some tests for Nova's run cycle and stance. I have decided to do both, just so I have a variety to show. The first couple of stances didn't quite work out, either there was too much movement and too much going on and looked more like for a fighting game. I looked up "Jotun" the game where I realized that the stances are very minimal. I tried to minimalize the movement, I will have another play around tomorrow and also show the Tutors.

I wanted Nova to constantly be leaning forward to reinforce her curiosity. While I started animating, I wanted to show how heavy the hands are by timing.  

In this one, Nova looks like she's falling asleep while standing, I originally wanted to wanted her head to go down further than her body, almost like her body follows her head.

This one looked too much like a fighting game, the arm movement and legs were too much.

I took this one, and tried to simplify the movement, but I think she's crouching too much in all of the tests. I want to try another test where she's standing up-straight, but just her neck that is leaning forward. 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

I started doing the Bibliography for the game design document yesterday... why did I use so many images?? :(

CREATURE MOODBOARD

Hardaker, T. (2013). Armadillo Girdled Lizard, Oucoborus cataphractus (Image). In Clanwilliam, South Africa. Hardaker. Retrieved from http://www.hardaker.co.za/r-armadillogirdledlizard1.htm

Vanrentergehm, F. (2007). Big Crocodile in Oz. In Australia. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/fvanrenterghem/2641634391/

Simmons, H., P. (unknown). The Unlitmate Guide to Leopard Geckos: Everything you need to know for a happy and health gecko. Retrieved from: http://www.amazon.com/The-Ultimate-Guide-Leopard-Geckos-ebook/dp/B009KBLIXI

DeBlois D., & Sanders C. (Directors). (2010) How to Train your Dragon (Animated Film). United States: Dreamworks

Ueda, F., (Director). (2016) The Last Guardian (Video game). Japan: SCE Japan Studio

Peterson W., (Director). (1984) The NeverEnding Story (Film). West Germany: Producers Sales Organization

Eggebrecht, J. & Schmidt, H. (2007). Lair. Germany: Factor 5

Turner, T. (2014). London Taxidermy. Retrieved from http://www.londontaxidermy.com/hire/slideshow-2/index.html

Moni (Artist). (2015). Raptor. Retrieved from http://moni158.deviantart.com/art/Raptor-555242201

Azevedo, M. (Artist) (2014). Astolfo, the Ice Dragon. Retrieved from http://mikeazevedo.deviantart.com/art/Astolfo-the-Ice-Dragon-436603842

Laidlaw, M. (Director). (2014). Dragon Age Inquisition. Canada: Bioware

Fujioka, K. (Director). (2009). Monster Hunter Tri. Japan: Nintendo

Alexandrov. A. (Artist). (2014). Shark Bait. Retrieved from http://alexalexandrov.deviantart.com/art/Shark-Bait-439471705

Leppu. (Artist). (Unknown). Meet Fishsticks. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/129971139223125685/

Eno, B., & Martinez, C. (2008) Spore. United States, California: Electronic Arts

Tina.(Artist). (2015). Design Comission. Retrieved from http://griffsnuff.deviantart.com/art/Design-commission-538365421

TROPICAL CONTINENT MOODBOARD

Murray, S., Ream, D. (TBA). No Man's Sky. (Video game) Britian: Hello Games

Jacob, M. (2008). Turok. (Video game) Britian: Propoganda Games

Ueda, F., (Director). (2016) The Last Guardian (Video game). Japan: SCE Japan Studio

Chen, D. (Director). (2012). Journey. (Video game) United States: Thatgamecompany

Jonge M., D. (Director). (2016). Horizon Zero Dawn. (Video game) Netherlands, Amsterdam: Guerilla Games

Cameron J. (Director). (2009). Avatar. (Film) United Kingdom: Lightstorm Entertainment, Dune Entertainment, Ingenious Film Partners

Saldanha, C., Thurmeier, M. (Directors). (2009). Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. (Film) United States: Blue Sky Studios

Ueda, F. (Director). (2005). Shadow of the Colossis. (Video game) Japan: Sony Computer Entertainment

Trousdale, G., Wise, K. (Directors). (2001). Atlantis: The Lost Empire. (Animated Feature Film) United States: Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Feature Animation

Dienstbier, D. (Director). (1998). Turok 2: Seed of Evil. (Video game) United States, Texas: Aclaim Studios Austin

Yuasa, M. (Director). (2014). Space Dandy: Plants Are Living Things, Too, Baby. Japan: BS Fuji, Bandai Namco Games, Bones, Flying Dog

Liberto, J. (Artist). (2010). Halo 4 Concept Art: Jungletrunks. Retrieved from http://www.johnliberto.com/

Ito, H. (Director). (2000). Final Fantasy IX. (Video Game). Japan, Tokyo: Square Enix

Powersimon. (Artist). Travelling through the Bog. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/SketchDaily/comments/2cermk/august_2nd_swamps/

Rigney, B. (Artist). (2012). Magic: The Gathering: Fungal Sprouting. Retrieved from http://cryptcrawler.deviantart.com/art/Magic-The-Gathering-Fungal-Sprouting-320735974

PLANET MOODBOARD

Murray, S., Ream, D. (TBA). No Man's Sky. (Video game) Britian: Hello Games

Chen, D. (Director). (2012). Journey. (Video game) United States: Thatgamecompany

Yuasa, M. (Director). (2014). Space Dandy: Plants Are Living Things, Too, Baby. Japan: BS Fuji, Bandai Namco Games, Bones, Flying Dog

Moriya, S., Ooiwa, M., Kuwata, H. (Directors). (2011) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. Japan: Nintendo

Ueda, F., (Director). (2016) The Last Guardian (Video game). Japan: SCE Japan Studio

Miller, G. (Director). (2015). Mad Max: Fury Road. (Film). United States: Warner Bros. Pictures

McQuarrie, R. (Artist). (1977). Star wars Concept. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/370984088029375813/

Gustafasson, D., Johansson, H. (Founders). (2014). Smash Hit. (video game). Unknown: Mediocre

Depaso, A. (Artist). (2011). Star Trek: Into Darkness, Concept Art: Island Planet. Retrieved from http://www.thetrekcollective.com/2013/06/into-darkness-catch-up-part-4-artwork.html

Cole, D. (Matte Artist). (2012). Matte Painting.Retrieved from http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/store/product/59/The-Techniques-of-Dylan-Cole-3#.Vi_3_7crKUk

Ueda, F. (Director). (2005). Shadow of the Colossis. (Video game) Japan: Sony Computer Entertainment

Unknown. Wallpaper. (2012). Retrieved from http://wallpapercave.com/w/2JgrZxe

Va, N. (Artist). (2014). Alien Moons. Retrieved from http://mydesktopdaily.blogspot.co.nz/2014/01/desktop-176-alien-moons.html

Lucas, G. (Creator). (1977-2015). Star Wars. (Films). California: Lucasfilm

Kresan, K. (Artist). (2013). Alien Worlds. Retrieved from https://nothingbutblue.wordpress.com/2013/04/19/alien-worlds/

Unknown. (2007). Planitia. Retrieved from http://digitalblasphemy.com/preview.shtml?i=planitia

Scott, R. (2012) Prometheus. United Kingdom: Scott Free Productions, Brandywine Productions, Dune Entertainment

ICE CONTINENT MOODBOARD

Chen, D. (Director). (2012). Journey. (Video game) United States: Thatgamecompany

Ueda, F., (Director). (2016) The Last Guardian (Video game). Japan: SCE Japan Studio

Ueda, F. (Director). (2005). Shadow of the Colossis. (Video game) Japan: Sony Computer Entertainment

Saldanha, C., Thurmeier, M. (Directors). (2009). Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. (Film) United States: Blue Sky Studios

Gustafasson, D., Johansson, H. (Founders). (2014). Smash Hit. (video game). Unknown: Mediocre

Straley, D. & Hennig, A. (directors). (2009). Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. (video game). United States: Naughty Dog

Inafune, K. (Creator). (2006-2012). Lost Planet. (video game series). Japan, Osaka: Capcom

Colin, G. (Artist). (2013). Ice Planet Hive. Retrieved from http://meckanicalmind.deviantart.com/art/Ice-Planet-Hive-359197429

Smoox (artist). (2012). Ice Planet. Retrieved from http://www.deviantart.com/art/Ice-Planet-289975688

Unknown. (Unknown). Lost Planet. SuperbWallpapers. Retrieved from http://io9.com/these-wallpapers-of-icy-planets-are-perfect-for-winter-1488653939

GAMES ANALYSIS

Murray, S., Ream, D. (TBA). No Man's Sky. (Video game) Britian: Hello Games

Cantamessa, C., Benzies, L. (Designers). (2010). Red Dead Redemption. United States, New York: Rockstar Games

TARGET AUDIENCE MOODBOARD

Chen, D. (Director). (2012). Journey. (Video game) United States: Thatgamecompany

Bass, J. Rankin, A. Jr. (Directors). (1982). The Last Unicorn. (Animated Feature). United States & Japan: Rankin/Bass Productions, ICT Entertainment, Animation by Topcraft

Hillenburg, S. (Creator). (1999). Spongebob Squarepants. United States: Nickelodeon

Hirsch, A. (creator). (2014). Gravity Falls. United States: Disney Television Animation

McHale, P. (creator). (2014). Over the Garden Wall. United States: Cartoon Network Studios

Linklater, R. (Director). (2014). Boyhood. United States: IFC Films, Universal Pictures

Sony Computer Entertainment. (2006). Playstation 3 controller.

INSIDE TEMPEL ICE CONTINENT

Chen, D. (Director). (2012). Journey. (Video game) United States: Thatgamecompany

Ueda, F., (Director). (2016) The Last Guardian (Video game). Japan: SCE Japan Studio

Ueda, F. (Director). (2005). Shadow of the Colossis. (Video game) Japan: Sony Computer Entertainment

Microsoft Studios. (Publishers). (2001-2015). Halo series. (Video game). United States, Chicago: Bungie

Straley, D. & Hennig, A. (directors). (2009). Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. (video game). United States: Naughty Dog

Inafune, K. (Creator). (2006-2012). Lost Planet. (video game series). Japan, Osaka: Capcom

Scott, R. (2012) Prometheus. United Kingdom: Scott Free Productions, Brandywine Productions, Dune Entertainment

Thuemler, A., M. (Concept Artist). (2013). Snow world mood concept. Retrieved from http://atarts.deviantart.com/art/Snow-world-mood-concept-394021357

Thuemler, A., M. (Concept Artist). (2013). Snow world mood concept 2. Retrieved from http://atarts.deviantart.com/art/Snow-world-mood-concept-2-406233568

ESPj-o. (artist). (2014). Concept Art: Cave. Retrieved from http://espj-o.deviantart.com/art/Concept-Art-Cave-484356800

Schole, T. (artist). (2010). Doubt. Retrieved from http://tomscholes.deviantart.com/art/Doubt-155440365?q=gallery%3Atomscholes%2F24589222&qo=26

Laidlaw, M. (writer). (1998). Half Life. United States, Washington: Valve Corporation

NOX MOODBOARD

Ueda, F. (Director). (2005). Shadow of the Colossis. (Video game) Japan: Sony Computer Entertainment

Bird, B. (Director). (1999). Iron Giant. (Feature Film). United States: Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.

Cameron, J., Hurd, G., A. (1984 – 2015). Terminator series. (Film series). United States: Cinema '84, Pacific Western

Levine, K. (director). (2013). Bioshock Infinite. United States: 2K Games

Insomaniac Games. (Creators). (2006 – 2012). Resistance. (video game series). Unites States: Sony Computer Entertainment America

Spielberg, S. (2005). War of the Worlds. (Film). United States: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Studios

Vstone company. (2008). Black Ox. (Robot). Japan

Vinegar, T. (2009). Presenter Type 2. (Robot). Japan: BuildUp

NOVA MOODBOARD

Stanton, A. (Director). (2008). WALL-E. United States: Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture

Chen, D. (Director). (2012). Journey. (Video game) United States: Thatgamecompany

Murray, S., Ream, D. (TBA). No Man's Sky. (Video game) Britian: Hello Games

Kano, M., Yokoi, G., Kiyotake, H., Sakamoto, Y. (1986 – 2010). Metroid. Japan: Nintendo

Toriyama, M. (2015). Final Fantasy XII. (video game series). Japan: Square Enix

Kosinski, J. (Director). (2010). TRON: Legacy. (Film). United States: Walt Disney Studios

de Homem-Christo, G. & Bangalter, T. (Artistists). Daft Punk (Musicians). France: Daft Punk

Benioff D., Weiss, D., B. (creators) (2011-2016). Game of Thrones. United States: HBO

Garland, A. (Director). (2015). Ex Machina. United Kingdom: Universal Studios

Jennings, G. (Director). (2005). A Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy. United Kingdom: Buena Vista Pictures

Ueda, F. (Director). (2005). Shadow of the Colossis. (Video game) Japan: Sony Computer Entertainment

Vanrentergehm, F. (2007). Big Crocodile in Oz. In Australia. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/fvanrenterghem/2641634391/

Toyota Partner Robot. (2005). Violin Robot. (Robot). Japan: Toyota Motor Crop

Anouma, E. (Director). (2002). The Legend of Zelda: the Wind Waker. Japan: Nintendo

Mr. Nagata. (Artist). (2014). Mercury Helmet. Retrieved from http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=218722

NASA. Futuristic Spacesuit. United States: NASA

Benedicto, R. (3D Artist). E.V.A. 5000. (Image). Retrieved from http://sgthk.daportfolio.com/gallery/90113#8

Cut-scene mock up sketches

CUT-SCENE MOCK UP SKETCHES

I started doing a few sketches for the cut-scene mock up. I played around with the position and angle of Lux and Nova. I'm thinking about refining the bottom right one. Frans suggested placing Nova more in the middle, as where she is now, it creates a tangent. 

LINEART
I started the lineart, and tried out different positions for Nova. I might change it a bit to the one in the sketch but also to match the perspective

MOOD SETTING
Playing around with what kind of colors to use for the night-time setting. I want Lux to glow so he would be the main light source. I might have to change the perspective a bit more for the tree and everything.

TUTELLA PLANT
Did a rendered promotional art for the enemy plant. I will do one for the healing plant for the kick starter page. I had to change this around, I might have to re-plan the kick starter mock-up to fit what I want to do now.

NOX final promotional art

NOX

Finally finished! I tried out some rust on the lighter areas... (I used textures...) Quite happy with how it turned out though. The plants and trees were fun to color!

NOX

NOX

Did a couple of sketches of NOX, I tried making it blend in more, making it look more animal-like. Frans suggested looking at crabs, turtles and big machines, which helped a lot!

NOX FINAL DESIGN AND LINEART

I worked on finalizing the design of NOX and started the lineart for it. Frans suggested making the moss/grass seem like it was flesh that was on NOX. I liked that idea a lot and tied to incorporate it into the design. The cables as the neck were a nightmare!

I'm interested in the effects of video games on young children, and whether they are harmful or not. II was particularly interested in the aspect of how iPad games can be used as a distraction tool for the child, so that the parents do not have to look after them.

I'm interested in this, because I want to find out what psychological effects video games have on young children and whether or not they effect early childhood development. The information I would like to ideally find is what the psychological effects are of young children playing video games, the amount of time they spent playing games and what effects violent video games vesus educational video games have on early childhood development.

Nova final promotional art

NOVA

I finished Nova's promotional art for the mock up Kickstarter. I decided to re-design the butterfly to look more like it would fit within the environment. I tried out painting reflections of the pink grass and Nova's color reflecting on the butterfly. I'm quite happy with the result :) Onto designing NOX now!

Nova for kick starter

NOVA

I finalized nova's design and started coloring in her pose. Still trying to figure out how to do the shading for her design.

Nova pose for finalized mock up character thing and research for Lit Review

NOVA

I tried out different poses for Nova and decided to go with this one. I think this shows how Nova is curious as well as friendly.

RESEARCH

I really like this article but sadly, it is not academic :(

Nick Bilton

I found a few more but they are not specifically about what I want for my research question.

http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=4&sid=293cb4c0-8c65-4b82-95e7-4afba57474c8%40sessionmgr113&hid=118&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=84616484&db=anh 

http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=6&sid=293cb4c0-8c65-4b82-95e7-4afba57474c8%40sessionmgr113&hid=118&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=100785575&db=anh

Lux Promotional Art

LUX

I spent yesterday and today working on Lux, I refined some details (his proportions) and added more detail. I want to have 3 promotional artworks for the game, one of Nova, one of Lux and one of the machine. The backgrounds will likely be in this amount of detail...

Kick starter page mock up planning

PLANNING

I started thinking about which pictures/gifs I will use on my mock up page and where.

Planning, Kick starter and Nova final design

PLANNING

I continued some more planning for the Pledges and Rewards on the Kick starter mock up, looking at different kickstarter pages, I decided to use the Pledge system where the backer gets an additional reward as well as the previous ones.

I also looked at how to do the Stretch Goals, I got some feedback that it could be interesting to continue playing the game once it finishes, looking after the new life on the planet.

NOVA SKETCHES AND FINAL DESIGNS

Did a few more sketches for Nova, trying out different proportions and how to incorporate the owl design more as well as trying out butterflies as well.

Some more Research, Planning and concepts for Nova

SOME MORE RESEARCH

I looked at some more Kickstarter pages. Frans showed us Jotun, which was really useful in terms of style and how it was presented as a whole. It made me very interested in the game, the trailer had the director voice over and his speech was very interesting. I will use that trailer as my main resource!

PLANNING

I continued doing some more writing and planning for the Kickstarter mock up page. I will leave it as it is now and as I produce concepts, I will change things around as I come up with more ideas for the game and concepts.

NOVA CONCEPTS

I played around with Nova's design and added bigger hands to her, The big hands make her look more like an explorer I think. I still want to play around with them to find a way to make them look more interesting. I also found that Nova resembled a Bird a little, I looked at Owls and tried to incorporate them into the design, not just because it looks cool but because it would also make sense for Nova to look more animal-like so that Lux wouldn't be scared of her.