Games Extract open for business!
by Adam deGrandis · 08/07/2006 (7:36 pm) · 18 comments
A few different things in this .plan, but first and foremost:
Games Extract LLC, an art house offering design and production services at prices indies can afford, is now open for business.
Actually, we've been open for business for awhile, but its only been recently that Ive had the time to write this up. Unfortunatly, our site is still in development. Since the site is home to our portfolio as well as information about pricing structure, this is key for us, so expect it up soon. If you need artwork right now feel free to drop us a line at info at gamesextract.com with details about what assets you're looking for, timeframe, and any other relevant details, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible with a quote.
Car Pack
The car pack is done. It will be on sale very soon. This is great news for the 10 of you that will buy it. Here is a shot.
People Pack
The normal people pack is no longer in development. There are several reasons. First, the character pack market is getting a little crowded. There are only 5 character packs sold through GG, so "crowded" may sound a little dramatic to some of you. To clarify what I mean by that, I personally feel content packs should be used as learning tools or prototype art. To use a content pack for final art is to willingly use something generic in your game. To me, that seems self defeating. If you are going to undertake making a game - arguably one of the harder creative challenges that someone can undertake - why would you fill it with art that isn't as unique as you as a developer? The characters currently being sold offer ample opportunities to learn from and to prototype with. Another pack on the market will just take away from everybody's profits, which I don't want to do.
Another reason for ceasing development is that I made choices in the beginning of making this pack that if I were to do it again, I wouldn't choose to make it the way I did. I don't feel I should sell something I can't get behind 100% as its creator.
There are other reasons, too, but you get the idea.
So that said, the people pack did something that none of the other packs did. It had a face rig for character expressions and speech animation sequences. I don't want that to go to waste, so Im documenting what I did so you can take that knowledge and apply it. This will be a useful read for quite a few of you as the technique I used offers a great alternative for morph target type stuff, plus, the ease of setting up the rig will no doubt open your mind to all sorts of possibilities for animation. This will be fodder for another plan, which I'll post in a couple days. I don't want to spam the "recent blog" list too bad. To whet your appitite, here is a shot.
So thats all from me. If you need art, drop us a line. And keep your eyes open for the new site announcement as well as the face rig blog. And of course, thanks for reading.
Games Extract LLC, an art house offering design and production services at prices indies can afford, is now open for business.
Actually, we've been open for business for awhile, but its only been recently that Ive had the time to write this up. Unfortunatly, our site is still in development. Since the site is home to our portfolio as well as information about pricing structure, this is key for us, so expect it up soon. If you need artwork right now feel free to drop us a line at info at gamesextract.com with details about what assets you're looking for, timeframe, and any other relevant details, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible with a quote.
Car Pack
The car pack is done. It will be on sale very soon. This is great news for the 10 of you that will buy it. Here is a shot.
People Pack
The normal people pack is no longer in development. There are several reasons. First, the character pack market is getting a little crowded. There are only 5 character packs sold through GG, so "crowded" may sound a little dramatic to some of you. To clarify what I mean by that, I personally feel content packs should be used as learning tools or prototype art. To use a content pack for final art is to willingly use something generic in your game. To me, that seems self defeating. If you are going to undertake making a game - arguably one of the harder creative challenges that someone can undertake - why would you fill it with art that isn't as unique as you as a developer? The characters currently being sold offer ample opportunities to learn from and to prototype with. Another pack on the market will just take away from everybody's profits, which I don't want to do.
Another reason for ceasing development is that I made choices in the beginning of making this pack that if I were to do it again, I wouldn't choose to make it the way I did. I don't feel I should sell something I can't get behind 100% as its creator.
There are other reasons, too, but you get the idea.
So that said, the people pack did something that none of the other packs did. It had a face rig for character expressions and speech animation sequences. I don't want that to go to waste, so Im documenting what I did so you can take that knowledge and apply it. This will be a useful read for quite a few of you as the technique I used offers a great alternative for morph target type stuff, plus, the ease of setting up the rig will no doubt open your mind to all sorts of possibilities for animation. This will be fodder for another plan, which I'll post in a couple days. I don't want to spam the "recent blog" list too bad. To whet your appitite, here is a shot.
So thats all from me. If you need art, drop us a line. And keep your eyes open for the new site announcement as well as the face rig blog. And of course, thanks for reading.
#2
08/07/2006 (7:47 pm)
Could you possibly make the car more pointy?
#4
08/07/2006 (7:49 pm)
We can never have enough content packs! I'm curious about a couple things. First, all those cars look the same with different meshes on them, do you have more than one model of car? Second, do you have plans on a next expansion pack? *whispers in you ear while you sleep "animal content pack with many common animals in it and their animations"* 
#5
08/07/2006 (8:04 pm)
Cool. Will you only be doing 3D work, or will you be offering 2D art services as well? 
#6
What's the polycount for the car and people?
BTW, is it a self-portrait you did on that people pack? :)
08/07/2006 (8:18 pm)
Excellent work dude, I'm interested to buy both pack. What's the polycount for the car and people?
BTW, is it a self-portrait you did on that people pack? :)
#7
The pointyness of the car will remain at its current level. You know that.
@Johnathon
The car pack is the same mesh with different textures. Regarding the animals, I've actually thought about it, but I have NO idea when that would get started, if ever.
@Jacob
2d, 3d, and graphic design.
@Ben
I dont remember off the top of my head. The car is maybe around 3500 with the wheels at its highest LOD. Just to clarify, the people pack wont be sold. I havent decided yet if I'll release samples with the face rig tutorial, though, so you may get your hands on it that way.
08/07/2006 (8:53 pm)
@PatThe pointyness of the car will remain at its current level. You know that.
@Johnathon
The car pack is the same mesh with different textures. Regarding the animals, I've actually thought about it, but I have NO idea when that would get started, if ever.
@Jacob
2d, 3d, and graphic design.
@Ben
I dont remember off the top of my head. The car is maybe around 3500 with the wheels at its highest LOD. Just to clarify, the people pack wont be sold. I havent decided yet if I'll release samples with the face rig tutorial, though, so you may get your hands on it that way.
#8
please keep me posted on the face blog and keep up the great work.
08/08/2006 (1:40 am)
Great job on the car and the man, i guess i will be one of the 10 that buys the car pack, it to bad that you are not selling the character because you had me sold but that coo that you are going to make a face rig blog.please keep me posted on the face blog and keep up the great work.
#9
08/08/2006 (1:46 am)
Congratulations! It's very cool to see what you're doing post-GG taking solid, tangible form. :)
#11
Glad you like em. :)
@Ben
This stuff is nothing, wait 'til the cool stuff Im working on clears its nda. :)
08/08/2006 (3:16 am)
@Kory & IanGlad you like em. :)
@Ben
This stuff is nothing, wait 'til the cool stuff Im working on clears its nda. :)
#12
(someone had to say it, sorry ;-)..)
Congrats man.
08/08/2006 (3:28 am)
Sweet! Game Sex Tract is back! ;-)(someone had to say it, sorry ;-)..)
Congrats man.
#13
08/08/2006 (3:41 am)
The web filter at my previous employer blocked access to Game Sex Tract. Glad i don't work there anymore. Awesome stuff Adam. 
#15
08/08/2006 (6:21 am)
Congrats Adam! Great Company name by the way.
#16
I dont see anything wrong with a game using a content pack as final art, unless its happening in lots of games. Hell, the number of samey looking games that HAVE unique art is enough to make me sure that its not a big issue.
I sure wouldnt pitch it to a publisher, but I think the public doesnt give a rats as long as they havent seen it anywhere else.
08/08/2006 (8:36 am)
Adam, your point about people not using content packs as final art is a fair one to make, but the counter argument is "what if we dont have artists?"I dont see anything wrong with a game using a content pack as final art, unless its happening in lots of games. Hell, the number of samey looking games that HAVE unique art is enough to make me sure that its not a big issue.
I sure wouldnt pitch it to a publisher, but I think the public doesnt give a rats as long as they havent seen it anywhere else.
#17
Someone had to bring that to the table. Im glad it was you, good sir. :)
@Andrew
Thats so funny to hear, because me and another guy in the building Im in were wondering if it stuff like that would happen. Specifically, we were wondering if emails would be blocked as spam, but its all the same thing I suppose.
@Tek
The first update to the humvee pack (which is coming up very soon) will be normal maps, TSE materials, and maya source. After that, I may add an interior, but that wouldn't be for a few months down the road.
@Todd
Thanks pal. :)
@Phil
The "what if we don't have artists" is the counterpoint I most often hear when I talk about content packs, and its certainly a very valid arguement.
This actually gets at the one of the key reasons I decided to go legit with Games Extract rather than seek employment at another studio. I've written in past plans about how Im all about helping others empower themselves. This is no different. If someone wants to make a game, to create something unique and throw it in the world so people can play it and better enjoy life, Im thrilled. Whats more, I want to help out. The real payment for me is to help out those that could use my talents, and really, just knwoing that the work Im doing is going into something that will make people happier. Money is secondary. Beacuse of all of that, I found that I generally charge a bit lower than average. Some people might still say "eh, too expensive", but for others, it maybe be the little bit of a difference that allows to get some custom art.
So the point Im making is that, yeah, a team may not have artists, the world is full of people who make art for a living. And even if it costs you more than a content pack, there are people like me who don't think it has to cost you an arm and a leg.
08/08/2006 (1:04 pm)
@TomSomeone had to bring that to the table. Im glad it was you, good sir. :)
@Andrew
Thats so funny to hear, because me and another guy in the building Im in were wondering if it stuff like that would happen. Specifically, we were wondering if emails would be blocked as spam, but its all the same thing I suppose.
@Tek
The first update to the humvee pack (which is coming up very soon) will be normal maps, TSE materials, and maya source. After that, I may add an interior, but that wouldn't be for a few months down the road.
@Todd
Thanks pal. :)
@Phil
The "what if we don't have artists" is the counterpoint I most often hear when I talk about content packs, and its certainly a very valid arguement.
This actually gets at the one of the key reasons I decided to go legit with Games Extract rather than seek employment at another studio. I've written in past plans about how Im all about helping others empower themselves. This is no different. If someone wants to make a game, to create something unique and throw it in the world so people can play it and better enjoy life, Im thrilled. Whats more, I want to help out. The real payment for me is to help out those that could use my talents, and really, just knwoing that the work Im doing is going into something that will make people happier. Money is secondary. Beacuse of all of that, I found that I generally charge a bit lower than average. Some people might still say "eh, too expensive", but for others, it maybe be the little bit of a difference that allows to get some custom art.
So the point Im making is that, yeah, a team may not have artists, the world is full of people who make art for a living. And even if it costs you more than a content pack, there are people like me who don't think it has to cost you an arm and a leg.
#18
thank you
09/04/2006 (10:48 pm)
I wanted to know if the Car Pack will let you open the door and will it look good in a camera first person view?thank you
Torque 3D Owner Timothy Aste