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Violence and Visual Unification in LEGO Universe
Posted by Brian Crecente at 9:00 AM on March 13, 2008
The official LEGO Universe website just put up an interview with Phillip Atencio, one of the upcoming massively multiplayer game's art directors.
There's a lot of material in the interview but there were two things he touched upon that I found really interesting. First is how LEGO Universe is going to deal with violence and still attract younger gamers.
For LEGO Universe I'm seeking out creative ways to represent aggressive play and darker themes while still retaining LEGO values. This is an exciting challenge for me. I enjoy challenges that push my creative limits!I'd like this game to feel more like Asian games. My goal is to design a visual package that has a distinct style, has a bright clean look, and complements the look of LEGO bricks. Executing this high goal is also an exciting challenge to me. Finally, I want LU to appeal to girl players in ways that aren't condescending or stereotypical. These are things I'd like to achieve to create a game that retains LEGO values while appealing to a wide range of cultures.
Also interesting is how LEGO Universe is going to manage to build a game that includes a diverse collection of sets. It's a pretty big challenge if you think about it. LEGO has everything from their younger City sets to things like Black Knight's Castle.
We could have designed the game so that all of the pieces had to visually fit into the world in specific ways, but I recognised early on that this might make it impossible to include virtual versions of some LEGO elements and play themes. So, I wanted to create an adaptable environment where it would be possible for Black Knight's Castle to come in contact with the City and it wouldn't look out of place.Our art fiction is making that possible. Since very early on in the design process we've focused on the creative idea that imaginations will come to life in the game. So, if a child can imagine Black Knight's Castle and the City together--and kids do that from the research that I've seen-- then it's acceptable in LEGO Universe.
From the art execution side, we are designing assets that can be used to unify two very different looking play themes. These can be simple things like small bushes placed between the two sets that soften up the visual transition. We will investigate many techniques to achieve visual continuity.
Still no word on whether IP-themed sets, like Star Wars, Batman and Indiana Jones will be making appearances. My money is on no.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
blackadvent
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
Bring in Bionicle, please.
blackadvent
ggodo
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
@ShaggE: But I liked that album, dang, now I need to look it up
just kidding, I'll take your warning
ggodo
ShaggE
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
@Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name.: @cudthecrud:
No, it has nothing to do with LotR or LARP. I can't even describe Mordum here without risking a ban, so I'll just leave it at this: it's bad. Very, very, very bad.
If it were a Michael Jackson album, it would be "Bad".
ShaggE
peAr_nectAr
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
I love Legos, and I love video games. plus, my little brother would definitely get a kick out of it, and I want more games I can play with him (I don't deem nine-years-old an appropriate age for him to be playing Gears of War or Assassin's Creed).
peAr_nectAr
fuchikoma
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
Sounds like these guys get it. Or at least know what to get! Looking forward to it...
@Derigor:
Yes! Black visors (or "Darth Vader suit") FTW.
I knew a kid who had the old visorless space helmets too and they just looked antique. The green visors were cool but everyone wanted the black suited guy.
+ Watch video
fuchikoma
failzmcgee
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
Lots of "I"'s and not enough "we"'s.
failzmcgee
Archaic Stigma
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
This game is gonna be sick >.>
one can not simply build into lego mordor!
-AS
Archaic Stigma
mr_dimsum
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
Wow.. I can't imagine how the action is going to be like in this game, but I can imagine the more fantasy-based LEGO sets battling with the more modern ones. Heck, that'd be a neat thing to begin with, but imagine bartering and just socializing with people that would literally be from all walks of life (well, LEGO life).
mr_dimsum
cudthecrud
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
@ShaggE: I watched Darkon the other day... still a bit scarred.
cudthecrud
Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name.
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
@ShaggE: Lego Mordor?
Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name.
Sawboss
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
You know, I was really interested in this before, but that was just under the conception that it would be a random Lego universe. Now that I know specific, real sets will be involved I am can't wait to see this!
There is one set, above all others, that must be included if this is to be a great game. It is the greatest Lego set of all time: Lego Pirates. They put that in and WoW, Warhammer and every other MMO out there can kiss my swashbuckling Lego ass!
Sawboss
ajay42
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
As long as the game is based on or involves a huge chunk of BUILDING (actually constructing things out of Legos, with no design specs, and few restrictions) it will be pure win.
ajay42
ShaggE
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
"aggressive play and darker themes while still retaining LEGO values."
...
"LEGO Mordum" confirmed?
(Don't look that up. You can't unsee it.)
ShaggE
Derigor
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
Old school lego blacktron represent? please?
not the return of blacktron with those lame white suits and green visors, the mechanized evil blacktron with those solid black visors and awesome mecha-lego vehicles. oh man that would make my life complete.
Derigor
ungivenglory
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
i hate to say it, but im pumped for this game. I'm a fan of this new trend with using your imagination in games (gmod, littlebigplanet, etc.) where everything isn't just laid out for you to mindlessly click on.
ungivenglory
frieze
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
At GDC Lego's rep said there will be no IP sets at launch, but that they would look at it going forward.
frieze
willy626
Posted 10:49 PM 19/3/08
Gahdam this game is sounding sexier by the minute.
willy626