I missed this completely when it was posted back in September, but just in case anyone else find this sort of stuff interesting...
https://magazine.artstation.com/2023/09/larian-studios-baldurs-gate-3-art-blast/I think it would be particularly cool, if we end up getting the definitive thing, to hear a little bit more about the visual art and the art direction. The old Infinity engine games did a lot of heavy lifting for me in early days to encourage a general fascination, but it's just one of those things where you gotta do a fair bit of legwork and digging around to learn about the art stuff. Maybe that's by design or legal type stuff that the visual arts sorta have to fly under the radar? We get to see the images and see how things are ultimately realized in-game, but it's always a bit of a mystery. I remember just very recently the Avowed image that made the rounds, then immediately the top question was like, "that's cool! Who drew that!?" A lot times we just catch the director, maybe cause the art directors draw too, seems sensible, but you know what I mean right? hehe
Especially in the current times, and with all the blood letting of late. I dig the idea of supporting companies in gaming that support their artists, hire human beings instead of firing them to be replaced by Gobots, and kinda rep that as a core philosophy of what they do. Even if it might be swimming against the currents of the right now, I feel like Larian's got the right angle here. In the long run I think it'll be the true badge of honour and peeps will gravitate towards such studios, the more they can show the humanity behind it all. Anyhow, just thought it was worth a highlight right quick for the break in the rain.
ps. also now that I know who to thank - Thank you!!! Like for real! What great gallery of artists!
Oh and just because, because because... Special place in the heart!!! Just spectacular! Couldn't have wished for better
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/Zaq42wOne for the ages - no doubt!
Legendary!!!!
ps. Also if we ever get a Dungeon Master Mode with a toolset, we should get an option in the launch settings to "Art Blast" the splash loadscreens
Basically an option that says says something like... Extended Loadscreen Art (may contain spoilers*) or whatever sounds cool, but then just play everything in that blast on an infinite loop?! It could be divided up by acts and function a little bit like a dvd bonus feature, like while running the game behind the GM screen. Although this might break immersion on a first run on the player's side, it would be pretty cool for a replay run while the wheel is spinning at 100%
Along those lines, I think that loading wheel should just never reach 100% but cap at 99%. We can imagine that the last percentage point is like a Zeno's paradox if it says 99%, but when it says 100% kinda defies the evidence before our eyes. Although we might just get lost in the glorious art instead and never notice hehe. Like legit, you can lose yourself in that gallery for hours and hours. Every entry there has like half dozen more if you click into em - it's wild!
