Jump to content
XCOMUFO & Xenocide

ART- SATYRIAN Concept


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 264
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • 3 weeks later...
Any concepts or models for floaters and their discussion should go here, so we can keep things orderly. Thanks!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I could see that pic being used, modified to incude a snakeman body that's had its tail removed. I could see the cybord connectors coming from the head to the built-in hover base the floaters use.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
NOTICE!

As a general informal announcement, we're asking that the various concept threads for the aliens focus more on posting concepts right now, rather than requesting tweaks to other artist's concepts. Rather than taking each concept and tweaking it as it comes in, let's leave it up to the artist to present their idea, and if you'd prefer a change to it, either modify the posted image to show what you mean (and that becomes another concept), or PM the artist about getting the files if that would make it easier to do. Some threads have lots of posts with tiny tweaks to essentially the same concept pic, which makes the contect very cyclic.

Thanks!

Also, please read:
[url="http://www.xcomufo.com/forums//index.php?showtopic=2355"]http://www.xcomufo.com/forums//index.php?s...?showtopic=2355[/url]
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...
First rough sketch of a floater concept I have in mind.

Yes I know its v rough but that's my intention at this point. There's no point me spending 8hrs+ on a concept to hear its not right or that looks like the original.

So I'm firing up the inital patchwork version I've thrown together.

What does what. Well obviously instead of legs he's got his antigrav unit. The 'leg' pieces I envision moving around to keep the unit balanced (something for the animators to do ;)) kind of reminiscent of the robots out of the film the Black hole.

I also read up on the CTD work of the floater and included some of the ideas contained within it, most notably the horns. The lack of a mouth is intentional as I haven't decided whether to go the full monty and include a big set of predator teeth in there. Though I have to say there is something sinister about having no mouth.

Finally before anyone says anything, the arms only look out of proportion because there aren't any legs. I assure you they are roughly the right size :)

If the style is liked I'll work it up into a more completed look with effects and better lighting. But as I say its not worth the extra time spent tidying up this one if no one likes it :P Edited by Deimos
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. I wouldn't be scared of that
2. If you read the CT about floater (which I believe is quite finished), you'll find out the interest about technology but most of all you'll find that floaters are a brutal and cruel species. They enjoy mutilating your body! So I think it needs more of that PREDATOR look to it. Have you seen the movie "predator"? I think that's something we should try to get here. Edited by Nyyperoid
Link to comment
Share on other sites

yeah, the horns make it look like a bad Asterix character. I don't think the two tubes on the bottom are needed

with out them the bottom half,and the connection to the torso, look pretty cool.

I agree with Nyyperoid on the predator bit too.

Good first effort anyway
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only reason I mentioned horns in the CTD was that I wasn't sure how close to the original model we were going to stay. The original had those two big mandible horns that dropped down from eye level towards the mouth, and I thought those were kinda cool. Might be cool if it had larger curling, ram-like horns with the predator mouth peice. The hands should also be larger with slightly longer claws. Instead of the "legs" on the hover unit, what do you think it would look like with rotating lights that change color based on the direction it wants to go? I wish I could draw so I could show what it looks like in my head.

Having this art concept will make doing the autopsy report so much easier. I take it we are dropping the open torso cavity all together, right?

The flying alien from MIB 2 was named Jarra, but I can't find any pics of him either. :cussing: Edited by Anthraxus
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Perhaps if the 2 lower pods were attached to the sides of the lower main body, and there be 3 evenly spaced around the sides as stabilizers. It also seems to me a bit of a stark change from total metal chunk to bare skin, perhaps the stomach area could have more tubes running up from the lower chamber, and then a series of cables/tubes that also run up to feed into the base of the skull and/or spots on the spine? They could be like 'spinal fluid generator/distribution tubes', is the idea behind that, and the stomach tubes are like feeding tubes and respirator feeds to the lungs. I could see there being some sort of visor over 1 or both eyes like you have (with another feed going back to the base), and that there be a red eye piece to match the real eye. Teh artificial one would provide night vision/enhanced vision abilities that are assumed in the game. I just see it being a cyborg in almost every way...
Link to comment
Share on other sites

ok I know it sux cause I can't draw, but here is kinda sorta what I saw in my head as I was writing the CTD. Notice that the nose is broader with an extra nostril for scent tracking and the hands have an extra digit for finer manipulation. The claws are probably too long and the mouth didn't come out right. The horns are supposed to go up and curl around.

Use, or don't. I just felt like trying to draw what I was trying to say.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just and idea. Floaters like to enchence their bodies with cybernetic stuff. So this leads to conclusion that powerful floater has more cybernetic appearance then his lower-ranked friends.
Floter soldiers can have only "flying pod" instead of legs and everything else still "natural". But floater commander can have almost everything enchenced by electronic thingies :). This can be achieved by applying diffrent textures to one model.

Higher Rank = More Visible Cybernetic Changes :) Edited by demich
Link to comment
Share on other sites

using different graphics for different ranks was discussed in another thread, and if I remember right the general consensus was that it was a bad idea. Personally I think it would be kind of cool if there were 2 or 3 different skins for the races that are not genetic duplicates and/or do not have obvious differences (like floaters, reapers, mutons even).
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think we should keep the pink colour :pink:
The floater looked so creepy that even the pink color didn't make it look "nicer". We definitely need that same crazy/rough/crude look to it.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think we should keep them simple, mean and predatory like in the original. Why would it have peices of pipes stick out of it? Why would there be circuit boards implanted randomly on the skin? They were not made by dr. Frankenstein. In the original the body enhancements were simple and clearly made for the flying ability but their head was still the same predatory beast, no cybernetic night vision eyes with zoom, no bulit in battle computers or whatever...
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Whitewashed' date='Jan 28 2004, 05:08 PM']I think we should keep them simple, mean and predatory like in the original. Why would it have peices of pipes stick out of it? Why would there be circuit boards implanted randomly on the skin? They were not made by dr. Frankenstein. In the original the body enhancements were simple and clearly made for the flying ability but their head was still the same predatory beast, no cybernetic night vision eyes with zoom, no bulit in battle computers or whatever...[/quote]
Hilarious stuff man. Guess you're right! :D
It does sound odd that highly advanced aliens would put vital stuff in places where you can see and destroy them.
"Oh my god, a floater right next to me"
"Don't worry, just pull out the tube from his stomach and he'll drop"
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just noticed the weapon your floater is carrying Deimos. Is it the real plasma rifle we're going to use? I sure hope so! :plasma:
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Having the exterior cables wouldn't make it more vulnerable IMO, which is more likely to be hurt by a gun shot, your bare arm or an alien alloy-coated cable next to it? But it was just some ideas.

What about making the floater from a snakeman? They only have 1 "leg" to lop off as well! :) It might be easier to "repackage" the lower body after taking out the big muscles used for moving, and putting what's left into the floating capsule.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah! Floaters appear before snakemen (and are much weaker) so we could say that the snakemen are like...Super floaters! :P

I like that idea! Plus, it would be easier to model (Since we presumeably already have half done!)

And for the cables... Which is more vlunerable, a Cable that can be ripped/shot out (I'm not saying that the shot would damage the cable, but rather that the shot would provide enough kinetic energy to knock the cable out of its socket.) Or an alien alloy armored arm?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think in the future for the main antagonists it might be a better idea to get people's ideas of what it should look like before committing pencil to paper. That way we avoid the useless running around in circles of designs that people don't like. Discuss guys, explain what you're all expecting from not only the floater but also the remaining concepts.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont' think that the floaters should be based off of the snakemen. I think that will make them too similar visually for people to distinguish them in the game. Not to mention I will have to rewrite most of what is down for the floaters. All the other races are visually distinct, why would these two not be?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Cpl. Facehugger' date='Jan 28 2004, 07:13 PM']Yeah! Floaters appear before snakemen (and are much weaker) so we could say that the snakemen are like...Super floaters! :P

I like that idea! Plus, it would be easier to model (Since we presumeably already have half done!)

And for the cables... Which is more vlunerable, a Cable that can be ripped/shot out (I'm not saying that the shot would damage the cable, but rather that the shot would provide enough kinetic energy to knock the cable out of its socket.) Or an alien alloy armored arm?[/quote]
Why sould a super floater(snakeman) not have any form of cybernetic augmentation while their weaker cousins are virtually all cybernetic. It seems to me that this would negate the purpose for cybernetic augmentation. (eg. Hey lets make ourselves weaker than we are now and go shoot some humans!) It just isn't logical.

Keep the two separate; the floater should be a race in its own right and not affiliated with the snakeman.

on that note, maybe make the floater more of a solid alloy shell with a face plate for the head.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There was the idea in the text about the floater being of a lighter physical build and bone structure, suggesting a smaller planet with less gravity. Perhaps these guys could have small membrane wings that allowed them to fly on their planet, but the higher gravity here is too much so they have a sort of booster chair they use? The researchers could find they aren't sewn into the anti-grav seats so much as strapped in.

Or perhaps constant use of an aerial lazy-boy chair has made them extremely obese, so they could have plenty of fat rolls underneath whatever implants they have?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

maybe some redicules large spikes sticking out of the face and the back? and a dark MAGENTA (almost said pink there) skin?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='"Breunor"']Perhaps these guys could have small membrane wings that allowed them to fly on their planet, but the higher gravity here is too much so they have a sort of booster chair they use? The researchers could find they aren't sewn into the anti-grav seats so much as strapped in.[/quote]

Like Psilons from MoO 3... Dunno about the fattness part, what would it benefit the Overlords to have fat floaters? But then again, does it hinder them?

Personally, I think we should stick to the old "cut&mutilate" floater desing...
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote]I think in the future for the main antagonists it might be a better idea to get people's ideas of what it should look like before committing pencil to paper. That way we avoid the useless running around in circles of designs that people don't like. Discuss guys, explain what you're all expecting from not only the floater but also the remaining concepts.[/quote]
Just look at these things:
1. CT document about floater¨
2. Picture about the original floater
3. Picture about "predator" from the movie "predator"
No excessive electrical circuits and stuff on the body. Just make it look like predator a bit and make horns to him (nothing exaggerated though) Definitely stay away from snakemen. All races should look different.

[quote]Why sould a super floater(snakeman) not have any form of cybernetic augmentation while their weaker cousins are virtually all cybernetic. It seems to me that this would negate the purpose for cybernetic augmentation. (eg. Hey lets make ourselves weaker than we are now and go shoot some humans!) It just isn't logical.[/quote]
:LOL: Thanks for the good laugh, that's exactly what I was thinking about this idea. Makes no sense..
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Nyyperoid' date='Jan 29 2004, 08:11 AM']No excessive electrical circuits and stuff on the body. Just make it look like predator a bit and make horns to him (nothing exaggerated though) Definitely stay away from snakemen. All races should look different.[/quote]
Your reply seems a little harsh Nyyp.

I asked for people to discuss what they want from (in this case the floater) the races so we avoid the "that looks stupid" and "that doesn't fit". Regardless of whether you guys like the concept or not, work has gone into them and insulting the piece isn't constructive critism.

If there is a discussion from all the members as to what they all want it makes the job of the concept artist much easier. Its either that or settle for what the art team decides.

[quote]1. CT document about floater[/quote]

Firstly CTD takes its cues from the art team, not the other way round. Its way easier to rewrite a writeup than it is to redraw a concept or remodel a model. We decided that ages ago.

In this particular case I did have a look at the ctd as it was available (even though there are some interesting ideas in there) I didn't use it entirely.

[quote]2. Picture about the original floater[/quote]

Who is it that collected all the original artwork so members could use the reference material... That would be me. :P So obviously I must know what the floater looks like.

[quote]3. Picture about "predator" from the movie "predator"[/quote]

Predator has been done to death in various guises and is kinda boring.

However I will agree that each race should look unique.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Deimos' date='Jan 29 2004, 09:42 PM'][quote name='"Nyyperoid"']1. CT document about floater[/quote]

[quote]Firstly CTD takes its cues from the art team, not the other way round. Its way easier to rewrite a writeup than it is to redraw a concept or remodel a model. We decided that ages ago.

In this particular case I did have a look at the ctd as it was available (even though there are some interesting ideas in there) I didn't use it entirely.[/quote]

[/quote]
Well, if there is a Creative Text already floating around, while there isn't a concept, wouldn't it make sense to take a look at the creative text? (Just for future refrence, before people cry "don't base the art off the ct.")

Anyway...The floater should look like it can't survive without the float generator. In the original, you could see the float generator, so the player could see a big open hole where the floaters organs used to be. I think that sort of thing would be cool for this model. Edited by Cpl. Facehugger
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote]Firstly CTD takes its cues from the art team, not the other way round. Its way easier to rewrite a writeup than it is to redraw a concept or remodel a model. We decided that ages ago.[/quote]

In most normal circumstances, where the concept art is begun before the CTD, I would agree that the CTD should conform to the art, not the other way around. However I would think that if the concept art isn't even begun, while the CTD has already gotten signoff and consensus on quality and content, it wouldn't be that hard to base the concept art off the CTD. I don't mind rewriting the CTD for minor changes, but I don't think that it is fair to the CT team to say, "Well yes you've gotten a bunch of text written about this thing, but one of our artists decided that he wanted it to look completely different from what you described, because he couldn't be bothered to see if someone had already done something with the concept." This is not meant as a slight to Deimos or any of the other project members. Merely a request for some consideration. There should be some definate equilibrium between the departments, so that one does not become dependant on the other to get things done.

A worst case scenario would be that if Art always takes precedence over text, even pre-existing text, then there is no point in writing the text until the art is finished.

Now, in this case, there isn't much problem because Deimos was kind and considerate enough to read my CTDs on the Floater before doing serious design work {Thanks D}. He stated that his current concept is similiar to the info presented in the CTD with only minor changes. That is completely workable. I would just like some clarification on the exact heirarchy between the departments.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote]Your reply seems a little harsh Nyyp.[/quote]
Sorry, it wasn't meant to be like that. :unsure:

[quote]I asked for people to discuss what they want from (in this case the floater) the races so we avoid the "that looks stupid" and "that doesn't fit". Regardless of whether you guys like the concept or not, work has gone into them and insulting the piece isn't constructive critism.[/quote]
When did I ever insult your piece? The points I made were my ideas, they weren't insults about your concept! For example I didn't say "make horns to him (nothing exaggerated though)" because I would have thought your concepts horns look stupid. I said it for the future design to give clue what sized horns I mean, it had nothing to do with your concept.

[quote]Firstly CTD takes its cues from the art team, not the other way round. Its way easier to rewrite a writeup than it is to redraw a concept or remodel a model. We decided that ages ago.[/quote]
Basically that means we can't write anything before art team has done the model. That isn't very bright idea imo. BUT IT IS MY OPINION ONLY! I'm not saying how it should be. You have made the decision and that's it. Fine by me.

Summary:
My post wasn't intended to be insulting. Not at all! That post didn't indicate your concept in any way. You said:
[quote]I think in the future for the main antagonists it might be a better idea to get people's ideas of what it should look like before committing pencil to paper.[/quote]
So I gave you my ideas.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There's obviously some discussion here that could be held in another thread, the artwork/creative text has been an ongoing discussion to put it diplomatically. I think it's wise is artists consider any current text for inspiration, but writers should also realise it's not a 100% thing too. I think we all understand that here.

I agree with Deimos' request that if we're going to have concepts, people should be posting before about their likes/dislikes for the alien in general. We don't have to see a picture to say what we'd like to see. And there's always going to be disagreement as to what people like.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Nyyperoid' date='Jan 30 2004, 01:15 PM']When did I ever insult your piece? The points I made were my ideas, they weren't insults about your concept! For example I didn't say "make horns to him (nothing exaggerated though)" because I would have thought your concepts horns look stupid. I said it for the future design to give clue what sized horns I mean, it had nothing to do with your concept.[/quote]
Nyyp, sorry I didn't mean the all the reply pointed at you. I have a tendency of firing all my thoughts out in one post rather than seperating them into seperate posts.

My comments weren't about you or anyone else insulting my work. I've been here long enough to have a thick enough skin to avoid that ;) But I was speaking in my capacity as lead artist when I said its not nice to read detracting comments.

We have to consider that new members and more sensitive artists will read this stuff so to avoid letting the threads devolve into a flamefest the senior team decided to keep a lid on unconstructive comments.

It was more of a general announcement rather than directed at one person. I'm sorry if you thought I'd directed it at you. Its always difficult to type something and get a point across without face to face communication. I'll try to seperate my posts a little more in future to avoid this kind of thing. Once again sorry Nyyp.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't really like that claw, Demich. It looks like it would be hard to hold a weapon with it.

I also don't really like the spikes on top of his head. It reminds me too much of one of those S&M leather facemasks...

Other than that, it seems intresting. But...Wouldn't an obease floater lose the fear factor?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Cpl. Facehugger' date='Jan 30 2004, 09:45 PM']Other than that, it seems intresting. But...Wouldn't an obease floater lose the fear factor?[/quote]
Heh, I guess you've never seen Shub Niggurath or some of the other creatures in Call of Cthulu

Or Behoders are pretty big and round and they're really scary :)
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Zipperhead' date='Jan 30 2004, 05:30 PM'][img]http://www.angelfire.com/droid/ttw/mooky105.jpg[/img]

sorry but it had to be done  :rolleyes:[/quote]
:rock: :rock: :LOL: :LOL:
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok I did one, its completely different to your guys ones, so its problaby totally wrong <_<

[img]http://www.angelfire.com/droid/ttw/mooky107.jpg[/img]

I was going for the "Badass" look, I thought that the humaniod leg floaty thingy looks a bit like a childs toy which you bash and it comes up again...

I guess I wanted something a bit more "I'll grab you with my hands and burn your face off with my foot" plus you got 4 legs for some cool ariel moves... anyway completely wrong I know

but come on... its Badass :devillaugh: Edited by Zipperhead
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not completely wrong... Actually... It is pretty good! :) Except for the float generators, they look too much like 50's era rocket boots. And I'm not particularly partial to the four legs. Maby cut all the legs off and have him sitting on a large round float generator?

Edit: And bigger teeth never hurt. Edited by Cpl. Facehugger
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...