Wing Commander 2010

[czacen]

Hello all,
I recently tried to think of what the WC ships of 1990s would look like if the game designers had the freedom that game engines allow today. While most of the ships from WC3 still look aswesome to me, I thought I'd give it a try and redesign the more famous ships in a more 2K generation appeal.

So far I have started on the classic Ranger Class of WC3. It is still a WIP since some of the iconic elements of the ship (i.e. the bridge tower) is still missing. However I thought it would be nice to get some feedback on what ppl think of the concept. Hope people like the initial direction

 

[L.I.F.]

The BSG look is interesting, but I think the hangar should be smaller, compared to the rest of the ship, as the ships would have to be parked outside of the main deck. But, as a WIP, she's damn pretty.

 

[Howard Day]

....Wow! I like where you're going with this! I've just got two concerns - the red and blue lighting on the engines should probably be reversed - right now it looks like it's from the Star Trek universe, and it could really do with the command tower/island.
Other than those minor concerns, rocking. I love where it's going!

 

[Aeronautico]

Wow! That's awesome! I love these WC concepts. I'm not sure, but maybe it could use a small conning tower on the top or something, but not so big that it becomes the dominating feature of the vessel. I'm not sure about that idea though. In any case, brilliant concept design.

 

[Mace]

Before I make my judgement I would like to see your make-over of the tiger's claw.

 

[NinjaLA]

I think its pretty neat. and I too want to know what you are going to do with the claw

 

[Dreamer]

I really like the design, however I agree with the others... reverse the Star Trek colors and make that hangar just a bit smaller... and of course I'm waiting fpr the bridge-tower... a feature I just loved in WC.

Go on with this design.. I'm really looking foward to the outcome!

 

[ChrisReid]

Looks cool. Note that Star*Soldier confirms that the WC3 Light Carrier is Yorktown class. The Ranger class is something different from Action Stations. Is there any significance to the file name? (concordia2.jpg)

 

[Death Angel]

Excellent design! Fits well into the evolution of WC ships. And I agree with the above - Hangar seems to be too big and the red/blue engine lights look too Star Trek.

Where are you going to position the tower? Similiar to the Victory in WC3?

 

[Bar-None]

She looks pretty neat. What ships are you planning after this?

 

[czacen]

Hi everyone,
thanks for the feedback. Engine colours are noted and will be revised, hangar bay is also noted and being revised. The tower is still giving me a hard time. However I proceeded to build a 3d Model of the ship anyway. Expect pics soon.

Also as many asked I have started on a rough revamp of the Bengal Class .

@ Chris: Hi Chris, thanks for the info on the ship class. Do we have any idea what the actual ranger class looked like? Sorry the file name is wrong, it should have been ranger 2. . or is that yorktown 2?

Also in an attempt to better my rather shabby concept art skills I have been training hard on building up a few techniques. While I am far from close to getting good at it, I have managed to do a few practice pieces that people might like. Please feel free to comment on them, and also please note that these are not 2010 redesigns but rather just 2 illustrations in the concept art speed painting technique commonly used by game and move designers today. I also have taken some artistic liberty with the engine/intake glows just to add some excitement to the images.

 

[Wojo]

Are you using Corel Painter for these images? Or hand-rendered & scanned? I'm guessing Painter, but if they are hand-drawn I will be even more blown away than I currently am!

Can't wait to see more of your re-imagined designs!

 

[Kane163]

Cool design. Kind looks like how I envisioned the Tarawa when reading those books. The glows are fine I think, but I can see why they might be seen as too Star Trek like. They do have a nacelle like look. Can't wait to see your model. Good work.

What 3D modeler are you using?

 

[Red Baron]

The problem isn't so much the colorization itself , but that, in your picture, we see nacelles AND exhausts. Most Wc3/4 ships are so blocky that you hardly find an angle where you can see both of them. Maybe you could find another place for the intakes altogether, its not like with startrek that we have a technological fluff dictating us where to put things.

 

[Howard Day]

Wow, those are pretty cool. I work in the industry, and I can tell you that's just about right for the quality of concept art we usually get! Looks awesome. I love the mood of the two new images - feels just right.

Can't wait to see more.

 

[czacen]

Thanks Howard. Im glad I could get the feedback from someone who deals with this kind of artwork first hand. Your work shows a specialisation in Modeling and Texturing, may I ask which area of the game industry you work in?

@Mahak: Thanks Mahak, I did these by hand but directly in Photoshop. I used some 3d elements to place the perspective properly and then rendered completely by hand.

@Baron: You have a point Baron. I think this is getting clearer in the 3D model rather than that shabby first drawing.

@Kane: Kane I use several 3D software, but mostly I use Softimage XSI for my modeling stuff.

 

[Death Angel]

Excellent concepts!

Just out of curiosity - how long does it take you to do one of them?

 

[Dyret]

Nice!

 

[czacen]

Thanks Dyret and Death Angel . It takes me roughly a 4-5 hrs for one of these renderings.
Today I was fooling around with some ideas on how the new Yorktown deck should look and feel.

 

[PopsiclePete]

czacen, these drawings are magnificent. Keep em coming