JuxArt – Animation and Games

Crimson Blues is an action puzzle-platform where the player’s control over colors affects the way he interacts with the game world.

By shifting between red and blue modes, the player interacts different with the world and the objects within. Like colors, signify an affinity to the player character. For example the player will be able to run up walls, go through solid objects, and stun enemies longer or even force the enemy to change color. Opposite colors signify opposing elements. Running or jumping on opposite colored tiles propelling the player at faster speeds and greater heights, the ability to wall-jump, throw objects further, knocking back enemies backwards and even the ability to deal a finishing blow that turns enemies into blocks. Additional abilities include the ability to summon and control your armor as a helper, and even use your armor as a stepping stone or a weapon against the enemies within the world.

Game Description:
Basic Moveset: Jump, Run.

Advanced Moveset:

Change Color: Allows player to change to either “Red” form or Blue form

Shoulder Guards: Allows players to lift certain blocks. When lifting blocks of opposite color, the player can jump with the block and throw it further. Blocks of the same colour can be used as a battering ram.

Boots: Allows players to jump further and run faster on floors of the same colour. Allows players to hang on to Walls of the same colour and run up/up the wall. Allows players to walljump off walls of opposite colours.

Gloves: Allows players to deal a variety of status effects depending on the colour and the type of attack. I.e . knockback, prolonged stun, changing the enemy’s colour, and turnign the enemy into a block.

More info to follow….

The game features a full tutorial mode leading up to the single player game, as well as a 2 player competitive mode.

Screenshots to be uploaded soon!

Game Portfolio

Animations

Models

Finally updated my demoreel. This includes all the animations that were previously on this page, as well as a short compiled clips of some games I worked on at the very end. Enjoy!

Animation Demo Reel December 2008

Game Portfolio
Models
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*You can jump to my Portfolio here

I love games. Not just playing them, but reading, watching and finding as much has I can about them. The X-factor that makes a game fun is never the same. Every game is a virtual world created to draw you in, bound by its own rules, with its own stories and drama (so what if its as simple as keeping the bouncing ball from getting past your paddle). But ultimately, I want to make my own games.

But in the mean time, I shall be part of the game making process. As an animator, the feeling of seeing your characters run around and moving as if it was born to belong in that virtual world he or she is in; it cannot be easily described.

This is my virtual scrapbook, a doorway into my world.

Check out the Animation and Models pages to see some of my in-game creations, from Monster Dungeon(TM) and Cyberversion(TM).

Enjoy your stay!

~ James “Zee” Phang . A.k.a. Zhanzhao

PS: I’ve just moved my site to wordpress, so I’m still working out the kinks and tidying the look. Look out for updates!

To be a good animator, one also needs to know as much as he can about other specializations, so that they can easily really their requirements to the modelers and riggers. Its not fun for everyone if the modeler completes his model, the rigger does their magic on it, but by the time the animator gets their hands on it they realize that its unusable (be it out-of-place topology or unsuitable rig setup).

And sometimes its fun to just pop your animations into a model you created yourself and know that its all done by you. “Don’t think of it as dirty work”. Treat it more like its crafting a whole masterpiece of your own, bit by bit.

In game models for Monster Dungeon – Wolf and Fox NPC

Toyland Stage in Monster Dungeon

Concept character for Cyberversion (Prototype)

Game Portfolio
Animations
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Animation for games is quite different from the typical film animations. Everything has to be rendered in real time, and must work with every other component in the game. Meaning you are working within a very rigid environment where any mistake could break the game.

As such, game animators have to work very closely with the rest of the team to make sure that you know exactly what they want, and how they want it, and you work within these constraints, while providing the best work you can. Sometimes working with as little as 30 bones per skeleton on a 1000 polygon character, while aiming for film quality visuals.

The following is a portfolio in progress.

Darkness Sun (working title) – Prototype Game (2008)

In a time of myth and legend, the dark wizard rules the land with an iron fist. There is no law and order, only the tyrannous might of spell and sword. The only hope lies in a young witch girl, who fights to bring peace to the land with the aid of her twin mystical blades.

Clip to be uploaded when approved the producers

Work done: Rigging, animation for main characters (Witch girl, Wizard and Colossus); Conceptualization of spell animations

CYBERVERSION – Prototype Game (2008)

Police and thief in a virtual city. Play as the terrorist, mingle among the public undetected and carry out your insidious plans, or play as the law enforcers, looking out for suspicious behavior to spot enemy players and take them down before they carry out their plans.

Work done: Rigging, animation and mocap cleanup for all character; collaboration in level design; collaboration in gameplay design

MONSTER DUNGEON – School Project (2007)

A action/puzzle game where you control a sheep using various gadgets and traps as well as environmental, either individually or in combination, to clear the map of enemies while avoiding capture.

Work done: 3D Art Asset creation ; modelling, texturing, rigging and animation for all character and props; modelling and texturing for most terrain assets; level design; collaboration in gameplay design; collaboration in UI design.
Polygon count: 700-800 per character

Animations
Models
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