To produce successful outcomes in any project, planning and concepting is always needed. The planning and concepting is only going to work if it shows the process and development from initial ideas to the finished product. Initial thoughts need to be developed and worked on within technical constraints to evolve into more solid ideas that lead to the final completed project. The outcome should always be through a series of progressive pieces that will, in succession become the desired or required outcome. It should not be achieved by random and incidental activities. This process is used in the game industry as well as other industries as well. It is the best way to formulate ideas and get results.
The Making of Assassin’s Creed:
In the initial production of Assassin’s Creed, the art team went out and got references of the time period from museums, like blue prints, historical descriptions and objects. They wanted to make the game look as close to the time period of the crusades as they could. But while also keeping true to the period, with the style and architecture, the characters and other parts of the game, it was all portrayed through a modern high graphic medium, so keeping the balance was key. A lot of research was done as part of the planning process. They had a definite plan that they wanted the game to be set in the third crusade, in the Palestine. They also wanted the environment to be beautiful, representative of the time period while also being fully open to exploration. They had to make it so that every building was climbable and that the player could go anywhere and view the area from any angle. These initial plans led to the finished game which was very historical and yet unique, the environments were very detailed and period specific and the gameplay was immersive and fluid.
The Making of Gears of War:
Surprisingly, one of the main focuses from the start of this game was the main weapon, the chain saw gun. Cliffy B wanted this to be in the game, and fought a lot to make sure that it was. There was some controversy to the violence of it, but once it was accepted, it became some what of a trade mark. Also, they wanted this game to be pretty cinematic, with realistic shots and movement. They used a lot of motion capture for sequences. The results were very visceral gameplay, with sharp graphics, believable motions and gory fight scenes.
New Tomb Raider:
This trailer was used as a “turning point” literally brining a new light to the Lara we have seen over the years. For this game, they wanted to go back in time, to a younger Lara, showing how she became the tomb raider we know. The idea was that it would be interesting to show her transition from an aspiring archaeologist to a survivor and fighter. This is a good story for the game, and quite unique compared to the other previous titles.
