Let’s take some time to delve a little more into what we’ve been doing recently.
We’ve been spending time overhauling how the camera interacts with players. Instead of being top-down or isometric, we’re leaning toward a more “behind the car” sort of approach. We’ll show you pictures once we get the concept more nailed down.
We’ve been putting a lot of work into establishing a proper timeline of events in the world of Aether & Iron as well as how these events have shaped the characters into who they are in the story. While working out a narrative might not be as flashy as other aspects, it definitely makes the game far more interesting!
Now that gameplay is shaping up, it’s time to start getting all the concept art turned into proper 3D models! Not just the cars, but also buildings, scenery, maps, and all the small nitty-gritty details, such as these Aether-carrying pipes!
Let’s talk about the posts from the past 2 weeks.
These are our rough draft emblems for a barony present in the Lowers - Nations Crusade. Nations Crusade is comprised of prohibitionists and charity workers who strive to rid the Lowers, and hopefully all of New York, of vice. The lamb symbolizes kindness and meekness, while the axe shows that they’re not to be trifled with. Just because they may preach a gospel against vice doesn’t mean that they’re any less threatening than any other barony, as they will accomplish their mission through force if necessary.
Besides just looking imposing, the axe also functions as a representation of their leader, the steadfast and zealous Annie “The Axe” Sullivan-Walker, who we’ll discuss more in the near future.
These buildings are from the Lowers and put the dinginess and “worn-down” look of the stratum on display. The Lowers are full of run-down brick buildings covered in windows, pipes, and water towers, as they were built at a time when Aether technology was still in its infancy, which is why you don’t see much in the way of integrated Aether tech.
The pictures themselves are 3D models which have been “painted over,” and not fully-textured 3D renders. As such, they won’t make an appearance in the game, but they do serve a similar purpose to the “mood paintings” that we’ve shown in the past - setting a tone and giving our artists direction as concept art. Before we can make fully-textured 3D renders, we need to establish a consistent style and feel, as establishing those now prevents headaches later!
“Marm” Magdalene Weiss began on the bottom but is now on the top, head of the “Dreamland Does,” a barony that controls a majority of the casinos in the Lowers. Originally immigrating to Burroughs from Europe, her quick wits and ambition saw her control the underground of the Lowers and all nature of vice along with it. Her commanding presence and flair for the extravagant match that of her domain, a place of freedom and liberation where anyone can get ahead and do as their heart desires.
While the story of Aether & Iron might take place in the late 1930s, Marm Magdalene’s aesthetic is clearly based on the 1920s, drawing inspiration from the fashion of the time. All she wants is freedom, admiration, and extravagance, and thus her aesthetic mirrors those principles. As you may have noticed, her barony is the “Casino Faction” that we discussed a few weeks ago, and we’ve now established a proper name and leader, one you’ll run into plenty on your journey through New York.
Thank you for joining us for this update! We’ll show more in 2 weeks!
-Brenton
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