New screenshots of character visualizer, virtual tabletop

[Silvergriffon]

Ugly.

I sure hope those character builder shots are at the lowest resolution with all the 3D modeling effects for lighting, etc. turned all the way down. And a few months old...
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[Kishin]

Those PCs definitely look like Aurora engine models.

Also, I wouldn't expect Oblivion-like character modelling as a possibility for the simple fact that WoTC likely does not expect (nor should they) every D&D player to have an Oblivion capable rig, let alone a Crysis-capable one, like was suggested by one poster.

I'm fairly sure they're trying to meet a 'looks decent and has functionality' compromise.

Well, that and they don't have professional game studio level budgeting and talent to bring to bear on this project, I imagine.

 

[Klaus]

OTOH, if the program succeeds in terms of its promised functionality, I can live with mediocre pics.

That's the beauty of it: you don't have to! Just tell your local WotC representative to hire someone who can design cool characters! Like...

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[Irda Ranger]

Do you think there will be third party opportunities in character modeling and design? Because I'm certain there will be a market for better looking characters.

I think this would be great idea. But I also think if WotC were institutionally capable of admitting that they suck at managing anything involving code, and that they should just farm out the whole thing to an equity partner up to the task, they'd have done it by now. Just look at the mess that's Gleemax compared to EN World. I know it's not fair to compare an alpha release with a system that's been in production for years, but they should have started off with proven code for their various bits (like Wordpress or similar for the developer blogs) rather than try to reinvent the wheel.

 

[Silvergriffon]

No kidding. I'm fairly enthusiastic about 4th, but these screens look like they were made by the same designer as the DDO game; the interface and models look like they're from a PC game made 10 years ago.

I don't know what kind of machine you saw DDO running on, but the graphics there are infinitely better than this. In fact, they are among the best in the MMO industry.

 

[Irda Ranger]

That's the beauty of it: you don't have to! Just tell your local WotC representative to hire someone who can design cool characters! Like...

Klaus, have you ever been hired to do a one-off character sketch? How much would you charge for something like those samples you just posted?

 

[JiffyPopTart]

Was that the Commodore 64 version of the software?

DS

 

[The Little Raven]

WoW characters suck, I want something like Oblivion

Ugh. Sorry to say this, but Oblivion's models look like trash. It takes people several hours to produce a character that isn't hideous, but they still look awkward in the game itself.

I prefer things with style, like WoW's art direction, rather than attempts at photorealism that fall well short and inspire Uncanny Valley in me.

 

[fafhrd]

I'm impressed by the detail, particularly the 5 o'clock shadow and adam's apples on the female figures.

 

[Sir Brennen]

I'm not too worried. The stuff they were demo-ing at GenCon looked better than these shots. Notice how in the table-top shot with the beholder, you can still see lines of the wireframe models? Pretty much confirms for me that these are just some test screens.

On the Items screen... what's with the numbers infront of the weapons? I thought they might be page references, but rapier is on there four times, with different numbers (116, 143, 224, 986) More placeholder/test data?

Why is Short sword listed under Superior? Have they renamed Masterwork? Is there a Military Short Sword?

Notice also the categories: Implements, Others, Shields, Weapons, Rods.

Edit: Oh, and I really like Guild Wars character models (see avatar)