Art style is often considered one of the most important aspects of a gameplay experience. Done well, it tells a story all by itself, and evokes the mood that immerses you into the character and the environment. Since the announcement of Star Wars: The Old Republic, there has been a great deal of interest regarding the game’s visual style. We’d like to share some more behind-the-scenes information with you and show how our Art Team came to develop what we have come to call “stylized realism”.
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The overarching goal of the art for Star Wars: The Old Republic is to bring concept art paintings to life in 3D. This goal has led the artists to forego the use of photographs for surface textures in favor of hand-painting every asset. The concept art also drove the game art to match its heroic and idealized proportions of the characters and environments. Part of remaining true to the classic big screen vision of Star Wars™ is not only to look like it, but also to ensure that the art feels like it on the small screen. There is a fine line to follow in being true to the realistic expectations that we inherit from the movies while making style choices that will play well on the computer screen. This distillation of the Star Wars vision through a painters eye and a fan’s heart forms the core of the visual direction of the game. |
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| The stylized realism approach has many advantages. For instance, Star Wars: The Old Republic will have a unique and instantly recognizable appearance which will continue to look great as it ages. Being on the bleeding edge graphically is a lot of fun for artists, but as that edge moves forward, games that were once living at that frontier of graphics tend to look dated as technology improves. We want to achieve visuals that look great at the lower-end computers, knowing that if they look great there, they will look great on all machines, both now and in the future. |
 One of the visual style choices made for Star Wars: The Old Republic is a modeling technique we refer to as the “crease”. The crease can be described as the lines you would make when drawing a character in ink. Each line creates and defines the shape of a surface and is often seen in modern industrial design. It helps define surfaces and works very well with the in-game lighting. |
 Color is a critical component in stylized realism for evoking mood in an environment. The Art Team conducts a color study for each planet to determine its mood and compares it to other planets so that each newly visited planet has a unique feel. This applies to character design as well. The Jedi tend to have a softer, more colorful palette, while Sith gravitate towards darker colors with higher contrast. These colors are great in evoking Light Side and Dark Side affinity in the Star Wars universe. |
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| When it comes to designing characters, the entire team has placed a heavy emphasis on the bigger picture of costuming as part of both the Star Wars and MMORPG experience. The Art Team has a large board of wearable designs, customized to both level and class, for comparing every new costume to all the others. From Design to Art, everyone involved in creating the game agrees on the importance of characters looking and feeling like their respective classes. A character should look like the role that they play. Keeping an eye on the bigger picture also allows us to better understand the importance of advancement for characters. Sophisticated Robes, intimidating armor, and other impressive signature items will be earned at higher level. If you see someone with the signature Jedi robe or Sith Lord cape, you know they have earned it. |
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Making robes and capes in real-time 3D is one of the most challenging technical aspects of character creation, but an important one! You can’t really have Jedi without the iconic robe or Sith Lords without a cape, can you? Armor also has a very important place in the Star Wars universe, of course, so we have definitely done some work on that as well. More garments, including armor, will be shown on the website as character classes are announced. From mountains, to temples, to the smallest gadgets, much research and thought has been put in to the details to give each environment its own personality and to create a living, breathing world. Art Director, Jeff Dobson says, “The Art Team spends a lot of effort thinking through the right choices on the little things because we know that they will add up to a greater whole. You might never notice them, but you will feel it when you get that sense of immersion in Star Wars: The Old Republic.” |
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COMMENTS
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The fact that the jedi look 200x better in gear from the concept art has switched my decision from rolling a sith to jedi. Well done. *Please make it customizable =) |
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Yeah I really hope we can make our characters more personalized as opposed to everyone having similar robes/armor and everything. I want to be able to really customize the look of my character. I deffinitely love the costumes you all are showing here though especially the jedi. |
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I really support the concept of changes to garments at different stages of character development, although I'm not such a fan of armour being worn by Sith and Jedi at all. I love the inclusion of blue as a Sith colour; I'd prefer that over the typical red that's usually associated with the Sith. On top of that, the use of colour throughout this game should be amazing, both in simply looking fantastic and giving each world an aura of its own. the earthy colours of the Jedi are great, creating a contrast between the menacing, artificial nature of the Sith and the more inviting, more natural appearance of the Jedi. |
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Darth Malone i am interested in finding a master in this game as well. But before we play we must make sure we join the same server. like in SWG. But i am looking for a sith master just as you search for an apprentice. |
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Beautiful, just Beautiful Bioware! One of the many things that made the starwars saga stand out from others is the costume design. The thought and effort you guys are making is really something special. I'm really looking forward to seeing more. |
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you know, I love all of these costumes, but when you come out with troopers the thing I really would like to see is kamas, I love kamas... but Great job guys at Bioware! Keep it up! |
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From my experience, the amount of effort put into the details is directly proportional to the quality/entertainment value of a game. You're kinda awesome, Bioware. |
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I very much enjoy reading articles like this. I love to see how art design is brought from concept to creation. Well done, looking great! |
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Wow wishes it could look like this. Keep up the good work, bioware. I love it =) |
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the “stylized realism” is so close to becoming a "WoW`ish anime". |
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This looks awesome thank you for these great monthly updates. I dont care how long it takes you guys to complete this game and nor does anyone with half brain, if you get it right we will all be playing it for a very long time! |
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This looks awesome thank you for these great monthly updates. I dont care how long it takes you guys to complete this game and nor does anyone with half brain, if you get it right we will all be playing it for a very long time! |
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This was a magnificent update, cheers. |
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The jedi do not allow love of any kind or connections between family. As Emperor Palpatine said to Anakin Skywalker thousands of years after this game's timeline, the jedi strive for more power, just as Sith. The Sith, however do not have anything keeping them at bay of their true potential. Join the Sith Empire to learn your true potential, look towards yourself and your anger for power, and unlock the knowledge of ancient Sith. Learn from the example of ancient Sith Lords, such as, Darth Revan, Darth Traya, Darth Plagueis the Wise, and Darth Bane( who started the rule of two).I know much about the Sith and it's teachings, I am in search of an apprentice, and if anyone is willing to broaden their knowledge of the Sith, send me a massage and I will teach. "Peace is a lie, there is only passion. |
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Holding nothing back. . . Eh? What Revan learned walking the destroyed depts of Korriban is that that statement is true. They do hold nothing back. Which is what caused them to turn on each other and destroy each other. The unstopable army of sith collapsed from the inside out. So nice speech but you're blinded by darkness. I learned that. I found the light. Now you find it. |
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I agree with VincentLegato, it would make the game so much more fun if you could style your character so it would feel personal. Btw the game looks awesome! Keep up the good work Bioware :D can't wait to the release!!! |
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Graphics look awesome but...god, why do they show only the jedi and sith clothes? not everyone wants to be one of them. |
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I cannot wait for this. Great job on the progress so far. |
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I just remember the one thing that really stood out in the original Star wars Galaxy was the sheer variety of customization options. Most obvious in the amount of clothing options. There were so many different styles, and all of them could be multiple colors. The was also the fact that clothing in and of itself didn't affect stats or gameplay in any way, it was an aesthetic choice. Your character could look how you wanted it to without gimping the gameplay. Armor was different, but despite every person wearing the same type of armor looking similar, you could still customize it via colors or which pieces you decided to wear. |
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The concept art --> 3D graphics seems phenomenal! In my opinion, the more individuality in a game, the better gaming experience because you'd feel more unique as opposed to looking exactly the same as the next Sith Marauder. I hope there will be numerous ways to customize the characters, especially the head. (An MMO called Perfect World does a good job at this if you want an example of good individuality) |
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My favorite armor look for jedi is Obi-Wan's armor in the Clone Wars cartoon series. But that's a long time from this era. |
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I want to be a Sith but I like the Jedi robes a bit better.. duh hard times:P |
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It's titles like Planescape and Baldur's Gate - inundated with detail and backstory that have built the reputation that Bioware holds for RPGs. I truly hope this translates into this game. I'm believing the hype - I can't wait. |
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i cant wait |
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I like how the Developers and the art people are focusing on very little detail. This will allow use to be completely immersed is the art. it is good that they are focusing on every little detail because if they didn't then things would look out of place and that is never good. The scenery I believe is important to a game like thing because the more detail that things are made in the more it feels like you are there. Keep up the good work Bioware and Lucasarts. I will definitely be the first in line to buy this game. May the force be with you. |
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I´m amazing for play! Congratulations BIOWARE and LUCASARTS thanks for everythings. More than a feeling! The force be with you! |
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I to hope the are a lot of jedi and sith robes to chose in the game. |
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I hope it has an arena like Taris |
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I am so pumped this game will be epic their going to make it hard just to make up my mind on what I want to be and what species good or evil Jedi, Sith, Bounty Hunter, im am so excited :) It sounds like a war is coming So I will be ready!!!!!! That be kool if we can be different types of robots |
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seriously when is this game comming out, give us something, a hint, a time reference like months, or years,it doesn`t have to be a date, just a vague aproximation. Oh and don`t rush it ,hurry slow :P, great job so far, keep it up, better said MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU! |
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This style of art proves an exceptional transition between concept and execution. I like it very much and I look forward to playing this game! |
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Well a least we know the graphics will be nice. If the game play equals the graphics it will be a great game! Can't wait for it to come out. |
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The details are very nice, can't wait for the game to come out! |
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Gotta say, at first i was skeptical of thee whole “stylized realism” but it's actually started to grow on me. and if the gameplay is anything like KotOR then i can ignore any visual elements that are too stylized. |
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Looks to be shaping up pretty nice. If it's as good as i hope it will be it could be the first MMO i subscribe to! |
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Everything looks amazing!! Waitta go Bioware! |
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I must admit I'm fairly skeptical after seeing this art. With what has been presented I see the possibility for a unique art style that gives the game a life all its own, or a digression into the a "Star Wars: Clone Wars" style, which was some of the worst animation concepts i have ever seen Star Wars portrayed in. |
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I personally love the way you decided not to make this game look "real." I think these kind of graphics are great. As long as there a human feel but with these graphics it will be Awesome. Graphics were also one of the reasons i loved the new Prince of Persia game. I know whole different game but the style of graphics that wasnt realistic (like every other game that comes out anymore) its artistic look was just BEAUTIFUL. This Game will look AMAZING as well with this style of graphics :D Cant Wait For It To Come Out! |
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wow, I’m liking the style for the models, makes it for that it looks cool and won’t look old like SWG in 3 years. (Have you tried to use the setting in SWG to tune the performance, its hideous and ineffective) I happen to be a fan of a cartoony look for my games or to go for the gusto in looks. So I’m liking the way this is running. despite all of this it will be ultimately useless if the game sucks (like no improvement over SWG, I’m getting board of it after playing it for 4 years) so SHOW ME SOME GAME PLAY AND NOT JUST FIGHTS! plus make sour to allow the FPS cap at least go to 60, instead of SWG's 30 cap (makes it pointless to have a good card) |
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"Storm Trooper metal?" So one of the one of the benefits of being a high-ranked Sith is that you get to wear bits of completely ineffective armor? :P |
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I bet they have it done... ; 18 months That's a %$#^@& Long Time!! |
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One thing is for sure, although the cartoon feel is fine the game will not be a respectable MMORPG if it targets an audience of kids. It should be around 15 & over. |
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give us an estimate of years, till this is finished, so we dont get excited and see it doesnt come out untill 2012 |
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awesome. |
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DreamMaster
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"give us an estimate of years, till this is finished, so we dont get excited and see it doesnt come out untill 2012" Isn't the end of the world in 2012? I hope to play this a little before the end happens. :) |
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The game looks so cartoonish that fears. Please , is this a mmorpg? or just a online game? If its a mmorpg make faces customizable not that Good guy, bad guy, guy with a scar, girl with pigtails thingy. We want to create our toons not use the ones you give us. The dresses looks awful too, baryshnikov tighs for everybody ...that sucks. I was so amazed with this game , so ilusionated and every day is more and more like a wow re-skin for sw. If things goes in the same direction this game will be a epic fail with 3 m of copies selled first day and server merges and cancellations in 2 months. I know its too soon for talk but play in Bambi world with "Clone wars Asoka Tanos avatars" is not wat is wanted. Again Lucas is aiming for 13 years old audience and many of us are at 30's nowdays. |
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Nah, what BioWare is really doing is making the game look like it's for kids, while slipping in things like ***** alien sex. Ya see, this way, they can avoid the entertaining controversy's of Mass Effect. |
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I completely disagree with your appraisal of the visual style for this game. The look of the game was decided upon for many reasons, all of which were justified. I for one thought that a stylized look was a mistake as well, but upon closer examination - the choice was brilliant. |
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looks very nice for concept art and will obviusly look much much better once it is put into the game. WOWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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I for one love the new unique graphics choice that Bioware has decided to go with. Great job, Bioware! |
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