Ah there is it is, the discussion I want!
I agree its going to be modelling and cosmetics now, 3d won.
But the portrait has not been given the full treatment yet. Custom 2D is a stopgap for custom 3D portrait creator.
What they need to do is hire an art team from a broad range of backgrounds, including cartooning and caricature, and make a portrait studio for the models. That has always been my dream for a CRPG. I remember when I waa in elementary school and the first apples were brought into the classroom, Oregon trail era. And there was a program called like "Monster Maker" or something similarly DOS sounding. I think it was in the arts and computer curriculum in mtn view, but the idea was that you made your own monster from all the many parts, 3 eyes or 6, extra arms, horns, tails whatever. But it was the greatest! How rad would it be if they took the best modeling from these AAA titles we've seen and put a bunch of portrait artists and modelers together in a massive hall where they could work out what makes a killer portrait. I think backgrounds and lighting would be a lot of fun, because there is a ton you could do there with textures or background scenery or effects like fog. Directional lighting/color vfx. Then have a facial stretch mesh model with all kinds of emotive drop downs or presets, to change the faces' expression. Full poser for the bust would be better with equipment. But if they could get it to the point where you had a fully pose-able and equip-able mannequin to deck out in a studio with all the gear that would be so legit. I know it could be done, it just hasn't been tried yet at that level.
Probably would be cooler to start with a monster maker portrait thing, since it'd be great fun to play with. They are at the floating head level now. Bust with arms probably the next step in portrait progression. I swear they could milk EA for a decade with something like that lol. Most fervent wish for a game in the Forgotten Realms, that'd be so cool.
The idea of a custom portrait though is where BG moved the ball forward. At the time 2D image was the only viable way. Now modelling has advanced a lot, but it was the whole idea of tapping into the art zine on a custom level that made BG. They could do it again, they seem to have the rotoscope tech going.
Illustrators do this shit in their bedrooms with like broomsticks for spears, and blankets for capes all the time hehe. It's possible they could distil some of that and make a portrait creator that builds off the avatar model in game but has a unique treatment. Same could be done with all the equipment to the Nth degree.
ps. they could hire Rapoza to do the Baldur's Gate gang like he did the Turtles. I'd be there in a heartbeat! Someone out there would find a way to make it glorious and distill the essence
Last edited by Black_Elk; 24/10/20 08:12 PM.
