Digital Project - Marson Maheam; Will Gumbo find his way home?

Step into the shoes of an extraterrestrial protagonist and embark on an unforgettable adventure in a children's survivalist video game. As you navigate through vast open-world environments following a crash landing on Earth, you'll encounter a myriad of challenges and obstacles. Your primary objective? To collect vital materials necessary for repairing your spacecraft and ultimately returning home. Inspired by timeless classics such as 'Mars Attacks' and cherished video games from the past, this project reimagines the portrayal of extraterrestrial characters, injecting new life and excitement into the gaming experience. With each step you take, you'll be drawn deeper into a world filled with intrigue, mystery, and nostalgia. But it's not just about exploration and discovery. Along the way, you'll need to hone your problem-solving skills, exercise strategic thinking, and master the art of resource management to overcome the hurdles that lie in your path. Get ready to immerse yourself in a captivating journey that promises thrills, challenges, and endless opportunities for adventure.

Character Design

Meet Gumbo!

Standing at 4'11" tall, this nocturnal and intelligent extraterrestrial being brings a unique set of characteristics to the table. His rough, leathery skin, with a coarse texture on his back, hints at his resilience and adaptability to his environment. Not to mention, his suction-cup-like fingers grant him remarkable grip and climbing abilities, making him quite the agile creature.

But Gumbo's talents don't end there. His tail gives him an extra edge, providing greater speed and maneuverability while swimming—a valuable asset in the swampy ecosystem of his home planet. Speaking of which, his diet primarily consists of fungi and weeds, perfectly suited to his habitat's conditions.

Inspired by the iconic Martian design from the 1996 sci-fi film 'Mars Attacks' and infused with elements from 90s and early 2000s video games, Gumbo's appearance is tailored for a retro cartoon-styled video game. With his unique features and influences, Gumbo promises to be a captivating and memorable character in the gaming world.

Made via AutoCAD.

Physical Sculpt

I decided to physically sculpt the base head shape for my character before 3D scanning it into my digital software. This Allowed me to practice and demonstrate my physical sculpting abilities before moving onto the digital aspect of this assignment. This practice not only strengthened my skills but also provided a solid foundation for my digital work. Physically sculpting the base head shape provided me with a deeper understanding of the three-dimensional space and form of my character. It allowed me to explore different angles, perspectives, and lighting conditions, which enhanced my spatial awareness and artistic intuition. This understanding translates seamlessly into my digital work, improving my ability to create convincing and lifelike character. In my opinion, having a physical sculpt as a starting point adds a personal touch to my digital workflow, infusing my characters with a sense of authenticity and craftsmanship.

Digital Character

My aim was to take an innovative approach to designing Gumbo. Drawing inspiration from late 90s designs, I’ve managed to create a character that pays homage to the era while adding my own unique twist. The decision to maintain the short, overly thin, skeletal form with swollen bellies gives Gumbo a distinct silhouette that harkens back to classic alien designs. Incorporating the oversized head style with parts of the brain exposed adds an intriguing element to Gumbo's appearance, suggesting a high level of intelligence and perhaps even a hint of vulnerability. This blend of familiar tropes with fresh ideas breathes new life into the classic alien archetype, allowing Gumbo to stand out in his own right. My choice of colour scheme (ocean blue, purple, and bright pink) creates a striking visual contrast while also tying back to the swampy ecosystem of Gumbo's home planet. This incorporation of environmental elements adds depth to his character and enhances the overall sci-fi aesthetic. Lastly, drawing inspiration from the coarse texture of frogs and toads for Gumbo's webbed hands and suction-cup fingers adds a layer of realism and coherence to his design. This attention to detail not only reinforces his connection to his homeland but also adds a tactile element to his appearance, making him feel more tangible and immersive. Overall, I hope my approach to designing Gumbo is both inventive and respectful of classic design conventions. By blending familiar elements with fresh ideas and incorporating thematic coherence throughout, I feel I have created a character that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly original.

My sources of inspiration for Gumbo's design are rich and varied, drawing from iconic sci-fi films and beloved video games of the late 90s and early 2000s. The influence of the 1996 sci-fi film 'Mars Attacks' is evident in Gumbo's design, particularly in the portrayal of Martian features such as big eyes, small bodies, and oversized heads. I hoped this nod to classic Martian aesthetics adds a nostalgic touch while also infusing Gumbo with a sense of otherworldly charm. Additionally, I drew inspiration from video games like 'Destroy All Humans' and iconic characters such as the 'Simpsons' aliens, 'Yoda' from Star Wars, 'E.T.', and 'Paul' to add depth and complexity to Gumbo's design. These references not only contribute to the retro-futuristic vibe but also provide a diverse range of influences that enrich Gumbo's character. The use of leathery skin, big eyes, and small bodies with big heads, characteristic of these sources of inspiration, lends Gumbo a unique and memorable appearance. My incorporation of elements from these iconic characters' space suits and clothing styles adds an extra layer of detail and authenticity to Gumbo's attire, contributing to the overall cohesion and believability of his design. Overall, I aimed for my eclectic mix of inspirations to have resulted in a character design that feels both nostalgic and fresh, paying homage to classic sci-fi tropes while also offering a unique and distinctive take on the extraterrestrial archetype. Gumbo is sure to captivate players with his charmingly retro aesthetic and richly layered design.

Made via zBrush.

Clothing

Creating Gumbo's attire was an opportunity to infuse the game with a distinct retro atmosphere. By opting for oversized plastic boots and basic shorts, I aimed to evoke a sense of nostalgia while staying true to the game's aesthetic. These elements harkened back to a time when bold, exaggerated fashion statements were prevalent, adding a charmingly vintage flair to Gumbo's character design. Moreover, the inclusion of a spherical glass dome to shield his head and a metal chest piece served dual purposes. Not only did they contribute to Gumbo's otherworldly appearance, maintaining the extraterrestrial essence crucial to the game's narrative, but they also seamlessly integrated into the retro theme. The juxtaposition of futuristic elements like the glass dome with classic materials like metal conveyed a unique blend of past and future, enhancing the overall retro vibe of Gumbo's character design. In essence, the careful selection of clothing components for Gumbo was instrumental in capturing the desired retro feel of the game. Each element, from the big plastic boots to the spherical glass dome, played a vital role in achieving this effect while ensuring that Gumbo remained distinctly recognizable as an otherworldly character with a touch of retro charm.

After thorough consideration, I realized that the clothing I had initially selected was masking many of the intricate details of my character. While it successfully captured the desired retro ambiance, I discovered that it was overshadowing the overall presentation in my final rendered videos. Therefore, I made the decision to completely discard the clothing.

Despite this adjustment, I take pride in the fact that I achieved my primary goal of maintaining the retro atmosphere. Moreover, this experience served as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Throughout the process, I gained new skills and became more familiar with software tools. Although it required some adaptation, refining my character's appearance ultimately contributed to a more impactful final result.

Made via Marvelous Designer.

Sci-Fi Scanner Design

Introducing Gumbo's state-of-the-art Sci-Fi Scanner handheld Device!

A groundbreaking tool that serves as a metal detector, granting Gumbo the ability to meticulously search the nearby landscape for vital components of his ship after his dramatic crash landing on Earth. With the fate of his spacecraft hanging in the balance, Gumbo embarks on a quest to locate every crucial piece necessary for its repair, signaling the culmination of the game's gripping narrative arc.

Crafted with precision and ingenuity, the device features a substantial yet ergonomic handle, meticulously designed to withstand the rigors of Gumbo's explorations. Adorned with an array of buttons and analog sticks, this interface ensures Gumbo's control is both intuitive and precise, facilitating his quest for salvaged materials with effortless efficiency. Attached to the handle is a substantial cylindrical base, housing a circular screen that serves as the focal point of Gumbo's scanning efforts. Flanked by two antennas meticulously engineered to detect even the faintest traces of metallic waves, this advanced technology equips Gumbo with the tools necessary to navigate the alien landscapes of Earth and secure the vital components needed to restore his spacecraft to operational status.

Made via AutoCAD.

Sci-Fi Scanner Digital Model

I chose to adopt a chunkier and more simplistic design for the scanner, aiming to deepen the connection to the game's retro ambiance. The deliberate contrast between the muted gray base and the vivid primary color accents echoes the aesthetic trends of the 90s, evoking a sense of nostalgia for players.

Drawing inspiration from iconic sci-fi gadgets like the 'Alien Arious Motion Detector', 'Star Trek Tricorder', and the 'Ray Gun' from Call of Duty, I sought to imbue the scanner with a timeless appeal that resonates with players of all ages. These designs hold a special place in my heart, as they were personal favorites of mine during my childhood years.

By incorporating elements of these beloved gadgets into the scanner, I aimed to infuse the game with a sense of familiarity and nostalgia, adding a personal touch that enhances the overall experience for players. I hoped this device would resonate with players on a deeper level, evoking fond memories of past gaming experiences.

Made via 3D's Max.

Short Animation - Rigging Character

In the short clip showcasing various walking and movements, Gumbo's animation closely mimics that of a human. Each step is carefully crafted to replicate the fluidity and rhythm of human movement, ensuring a sense of naturalism and realism.

From walking to running, jumping to crouching, Gumbo's motions are meticulously animated to evoke familiarity and empathy from the viewer. This attention to detail not only enhances the overall immersion but also adds depth and authenticity to Gumbo's character.

By focusing on replicating the subtleties and nuances of human motion, I aimed to make Gumbo's movements feel familiar and relatable to the audience, enhancing the overall immersion and realism of the character.

Made via ACCURIG.

Short Animation - Cave Scene.

I created a short animated video of Gumbo sitting around a fire in a cave to act as a poignant way to convey his homesickness and longing. By surrounding him with his sci-fi scanner and scattered parts of his spaceship, the scene symbolized Gumbo's isolation and sense of displacement.

The ambient lighting further amplified the mood, casting shadows and highlighting the flames as the sole source of warmth and illumination in the dark cave. As Gumbo sits alone, the crackling of the fire provides an auditory backdrop, enhancing the atmosphere of solitude and contemplation.

This scene not only showcases my proficiency in setting up a 3D environment in 3ds Max but also demonstrates my ability to evoke emotion and convey narrative through lighting, sound, and composition. It's a powerful vignette that invites viewers to empathize with Gumbo's journey and reflects the depth of storytelling achievable through digital animation.

Made via 3D's Max.

Short Animation - Gumbo using Sci-fi Scanner

I rendered this brief animation with the intention of highlighting the functionality of the Sci-fi scanner and illustrating its practical application. Opting for subdued lighting, I aimed to intensify the sense of confusion and isolation experienced by Gumbo, immersing the audience in his emotional journey.

Throughout the clip, viewers are presented with Gumbo's animated model, showcasing his movements and interactions with the Sci-fi scanner. Careful attention was paid to camera movement, guiding the audience's perspective and accentuating key action within the scene. By seamlessly integrating the scanner as a prop, the animation gains depth, emphasizing its significance to Gumbo's quest and underscoring its utility within the game's mechanics.

Furthermore, the background setting, characterized by dim lighting, serves to enhance the atmosphere and reinforce the narrative context of Gumbo's situation. This comprehensive approach to scene composition not only demonstrates technical proficiency in animation software but also underscores a keen understanding of storytelling and visual communication.

In summary, this short clip effectively communicates the purpose and functionality of the Sci-fi scanner while immersing viewers in Gumbo's world of uncertainty and solitude.
Made/Rendered via 3D's Max.

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