This covers 5 notable projects out of many during my time as an Art Lead on the game Pet Rescue Saga.
The work you see is done in collaboration with several incredibly talented artists, art outsource company Virtuos and external vendors.
Challenges: How do we make it visually clear to the player that
there is a sense of increasing value for each Piggy Bank?
Solution: Overall silhouette and changes in materials are good
indicators of progression.
Although the below concepts are fun and interesting, there is nothing that says to the player why one pig is an upgrade over the other.
Collaborated with an artist on final concepts.
In this design the size/silhouette changes and determines the level of importance.
Once concepts are ready, artist goes to final polish.
Challenges: How to create animating icons that increase in reward,
while matching the style of Pet Rescue?
Solution: Explore various styles on an 1-10 “art scale”.
Challenges: Working with team plus external vendors from idea to final design
on a physical booth promoting a key feature of our game.
Solution: Regular communication, clear vision on the art style of the game.
Ready for the show!
Challenges: How to make the progression clear for the players? How to make the consistent layout work in both landscape and portrait?
Solution: Tents light up for each level passed and each tent is modular so they can be moved around without affecting the layout.
When the player passes every level (tent), the prize in the middle is upgraded.
Each levels passed are shown by the tent lighting up.
It is more obvious in the “evening” concept that you are progressing.
Portrait and landscape versions of the circus theme.
The layout and overall design works for both orientations of the phone.
Challenges: How to keep the art style consistent between 4-6 separate artists (both internal and outsource)?
Solution: Frequent communication between all team members. Clear style guides for lighting, character and final polish. Proper support and clear directions help artists to be confident with the feedback they are given.
For each episode, lots of feedback, paint-overs and clear direction is necessary to reach the quality of the final art.
Progress for world concept.
This establishes overall layout and lighting.
Once the world concept is finished, 4 separate artists take each episode, from concept to polish stage.
To solve reoccurring issues, several style guides were made to address different parts of the map: characters, lighting style, and overall design.
These were made in collaboration with artists on our team.
Each episode goes through intensive feedback but the final result speaks for itself!
