Remastered Effects/Splash Art

[Undeadprotoss]

So there's a new update on StarCraft: Remastered! (https://starcraft.com/en-us/articles/20726732) Basically, it's retrospective on how the developers came to terms with remastering the old effects and splash art. For comparison...

Classic Zerg Defeat Screen (https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/gallery/UBXI6ACM9AJL1494004526050.png) vs. Remastered Zerg Defeat Screen (https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/gallery/JW2AEPZJQPU11494004538323.png)

Classic Aiur Carrier Image (https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/gallery/5A10Q9J1TRUH1494004538715.png) vs Remastered Aiur Carrier Image (https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/gallery/O0Z7A4RT3COQ1494004562257.png)

What do you guys think? I like the effort but I feel like they are straying from the old art style just a little bit. I'm gonna start writing again for that reason.

[Gradius]

I'm very impressed, but yeah it's the Samwise art style. Really wish they'd stop with that... =/

The SC2 spikes are the worst. In the original, lurker and hive spikes look like the tips of Sauron's helmet where if you got poked by one of those things you'd split apart like a gutted pig. In SC2 they are round balls of flesh/carapace.

Someone should make a post on battle.net.

[TheEconomist]

I approve

[Undeadprotoss]

I approve

They look sick, but I feel like the Aiur carrier image looks a little too sleek?

[Visions of Khas]

I'm... actually very satisfied. That carrier does look very sleek, perhaps too much so. But I appreciate the adherence to the spirit of the original game.

[TheEconomist]

They look sick, but I feel like the Aiur carrier image looks a little too sleek?

It feels like StarCraft. That's really all I can ask for at this time.

Looks like they may do the game justice. Maybe they'll relearn what was great about it and StarCraft 3 will be worthy.

[Turalyon]

The sleekness is pretty much what I would expect with a HD remaster and I think it's a bit more fitting for the general Protoss aesthetic in some cases. It's hard to know whether the grainy whorls on the original carrier were just a limitation of the low res at the time or an actual intended effect.

The Zerg don't look too bad. The extra detail helps show the organic and rough/coarse textures and the Hive spikes in that remastered end screen look more like bone and consistent with the Zerg aesthetic compared to them looking like metal spikes in the original.

[sandwich_bird]

The carrier looks fine guys. You'd prefer that?:

https://image.ibb.co/nBK2Fk/Clipboard_image_2017_05_06_09_49_30.png

:D


The SC2 spikes are the worst. In the original, lurker and hive spikes look like the tips of Sauron's helmet where if you got poked by one of those things you'd split apart like a gutted pig. In SC2 they are round balls of flesh/carapace.

I'm fine with the spike change on the splash screen tbh. The old version had more of a forged metal feel(Sauron's helmet yeah) but it makes sense for it to look more organic. I wouldn't defend sc2 spikes in general though. I think the radius of spikes in sc2 is too large and that's what cause that ball feel. Samwise fascination with bigger stuff basically...

[Gradius]

They can make the spikes look spikey and organic without looking metal though. I'm just opposed to how cute they look in SC2.

[Nissa]

I feel pretty positive about the art. The back part of the carrier feels a bit like a toy, but the rest of it is pretty cool, especially the interior. Overall, they're doing what I like, which is just to add more pixels to what already existed.

[TheEconomist]

They can make the spikes look spikey and organic without looking metal though. I'm just opposed to how cute they look in SC2.

Zerglings are damned adorable. It's disgusting!

[Turalyon]

Zerglings are damned adorable. It's disgusting!

Like carbot?

[KaiserStratosTygo]

I'm with Grad on the spikes, I don't like the rubbery rounded spikes on things, but beyond that most of it including the Carrier actually looks pretty true to SC1's art.

It looks miles better than that dogshit SC2 "carrier" yuck.

[Visions of Khas]

Found the artwork of Mar Sara's purification.

2505

https://static.starcraft.com/images/content/command-room-view-00047c382d0acd33dc0bf2b80fa3844564f6f0bc136f1de750 388743ef2c975c47cde77cb34cfec939787374c1d96ef791d0 205f6b193857193226f0aaa66174.jpg

Now THAT... is a carrier.

[TheEconomist]

Starting to go off in the wrong direction (lighting), but I still approve.

I guess its hard to make a scene such as that gritty and realistic, lol.

[Nissa]

It looks pretty good. It makes the carrier feel really powerful -- like where you can see the blue energy channeling on the inside. That's cool.

[Gradius]

Don't tell me that even one of those carrier blasts wasn't enough to kill Amon in the void.

[TheEconomist]

Nope, wasn't. But my Stalker's pew-pew's did the trick. Atleast until Kerrigan's plot beam finished him off.

- - - Updated - - -


It looks pretty good. It makes the carrier feel really powerful -- like where you can see the blue energy channeling on the inside. That's cool.

I still prefer the CGI gritty planetscapes of the original, but this is artwork, so I'm just being anal now. It's great otherwise.

[Nissa]

I do prefer the original, of course, but honestly, this isn't horrible. This is basically what I wanted SC2 to look like.

[Undeadprotoss]

So the new Zerg splash screen is out, tell me what you think.

Old splash ascreen
2508

ATTACH]

[sandwich_bird]

So the new Zerg splash screen is out, tell me what you think.

Old splash ascreen
2508

ATTACH]

The art is nice but they're really messing up the SC1 Zerg style... It's wrong on so many ways I don't even know where to start. Plus, it won't even look like the in game model now.

I think someone who never saw either might prefer the new one but this remaster is supposed to bank on nostalgic dummies like us so I really don't understand the logic behind changes like this.

[drakolobo]

people with nostalgic adiction? new is very nice. a like this art evolution a mid point between sc1 and sc2

[Gradius]

people with nostalgic adiction? new is very nice. a like this art evolution a mid point between sc1 and sc2
It defeats the purpose of a remaster. I might as well just go play Mass Recall.

[Visions of Khas]

Ohh, I like that. Yes I do.

https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/page_media/JQOPAGZE16QE1491615232345.png

http://www.respawn.ninja/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/starcraft1-325435RN_respawn_sta-900x400.png

[KaiserStratosTygo]

Not the biggest fan of that splash screen its too much like the SC2 "tree" hydralisk.

[TheEconomist]

That Protoss artwork is definitely looking SC2-y, but there's some SCBW in there. I fucks with it.

[Nissa]

I like some of the details of the new Zerg splash art, particularly the background, but I don't understand why they wanted the hydralisk to be SC2.

[drakolobo]

It defeats the purpose of a remaster. I might as well just go play Mass Recall.

Remastered means only that there is a visual improvement I certainly prefer conciliatory art between sc1 and 2 pue are part of the same universe wiil a copy the carbon? an example of this is halo 2 with modern art with I leave a beautiful that let see the remastering of halo 1 more easy

I like some of the details of the new Zerg splash art, particularly the background, but I don't understand why they wanted the hydralisk to be SC2.

It seems that the original unit in game (see remaster unit and the representation of the classic hidralisco made by robear), the representation in the cinematics was obviously more limited and primitive
unit vs cinematics
http://orig00.deviantart.net/cf04/f/2014/055/b/0/cinesprites_by_xiaorobear-d77w4y7.gif

[KaiserStratosTygo]

"Remastered means only that there is a visual improvement I certainly prefer conciliatory art between sc1 and 2 pue are part of the same universe wiil a copy the carbon? an example of this is halo 2 with modern art with I leave a beautiful that let see the remastering of halo 1 more easy"

The two games are nothing alike, its not like they went with the same style and just updated it, they went a totally different direction in SC2, this is an objective fact.


"It seems that the original unit in game (see remaster unit and the representation of the classic hidralisco made by robear), the representation in the cinematics was obviously more limited and primitive
unit vs cinematics"

Even the game unit was pretty spindly if you pay attention, its not a bulky tree monster like in SC2

As grad said, changing all the art into SC2-lite defeats the point of the remaster.

[Gradius]

Remastered means only that there is a visual improvement I certainly prefer conciliatory art between sc1 and 2 pue are part of the same universe wiil a copy the carbon? an example of this is halo 2 with modern art with I leave a beautiful that let see the remastering of halo 1 more easy

You forget that it's SC2 that's the departure from the norm. SC1 never had goofy graphics, and there's no reason a remaster should either.

[TheEconomist]

https://starcraft.com/en-us/articles/20814255

Lookin' pretty good. I can't wait to play StarCraft will some damn map variation and match making!!!

[Visions of Khas]

Here we go:

https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/blog_header/wn/WN20MGM9TOJG1495760515745.jpg

[TheEconomist]

Mmmmmmmmmm .... Delicious

[Undeadprotoss]

The new Protoss victory screen is out, here: https://twitter.com/StarCraft/status/870319285666816000

Honestly, they were so close. If they just had yellow eyes, less shiny armor, and the same pose, it would have been absolutely perfect.

[Gradius]

Ugh, bulky SC2 wraiths... <_<

[KaiserStratosTygo]

Ugh, bulky SC2 wraiths... <_<

I noticed this on B.NET a few days ago :/


"The new Protoss victory screen is out, here: https://twitter.com/StarCraft/status/870319285666816000

Honestly, they were so close. If they just had yellow eyes, less shiny armor, and the same pose, it would have been absolutely perfect."

Yeah, they got the atmosphere right but they keep doing this weird "blue eye" crusade with the protoss, its kind of annoying.

[Gradius]

Let's be honest, they nailed the in game sprites but all the artwork is basically SC2.

[Visions of Khas]

I... god dammit, Blizzard. You were doing so well...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DBP-xhEXkAEfBs3.jpg


Yeah, they got the atmosphere right but they keep doing this weird "blue eye" crusade with the protoss, its kind of annoying.

I mean, I get it, it signifies their affiliation with the Khala. As Khalai eyes are blue, Dark Templar are green and Tal'Darim are red.

But they can add some variation within that range. Give Artanis' and Fenix's blue eyes a little more warmth.

Another detrimental change to the Protoss, in my opinion, is the humanization of the face. The placid, stoic non-expression from StarCraft gave the Protoss an unknowable air, and there was something in that that demanded respect. Seeing Zealots now screw up their face in anger just reduces the impact, almost making it comical.

[Undeadprotoss]

It's just like the new Overmind vs Old Overmind. You're pretty sure that they're completelty identical, but a really subtle change means the world (the original Overmind's pupil is taller than wide instead of wider than tall).

I'm definitely gonna make a thread about this. ALL of the emotion from the piece comes from the stance and the blank, alien face.

[TheEconomist]

That Protoss artwork is fan art, right? RIGHT?!!!

The most iconic splash screen. They better not fuck it up

[Undeadprotoss]

Speaking of fan art, this piece is actually really faithful to how a Zealot should look:
2509

[sandwich_bird]

ugh this is so bad. Watch out for the Terran one; they're gonna give the marines that armor (http://media.blizzard.com/sc2/game/units/terran/science/marine.jpg) and make them do a pause like this (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/18/bb/cd/18bbcd5dd1a762b915256796484d6250.jpg) or something

[Turalyon]

*Looks at remastered Protoss victory screen*

Cor! Where do I get meh Protoss action figure?

[KaiserStratosTygo]

"I mean, I get it, it signifies their affiliation with the Khala. As Khalai eyes are blue, Dark Templar are green and Tal'Darim are red"

I know that, but it was never like that in SC1, and this art should be consistent with that game and that game alone.

not SC2.

not the books

not the comics

not the wiki

SC1, BW and the manual.


Speaking of fan art, this piece is actually really faithful to how a Zealot should look:
2509

Hell yeah, that one even has the "tiger stripe" pattern that a lot of protoss units have (like Arbiters)

[TheEconomist]

So I just got around to listening to the remastered Terran 1 theme .... and ... WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT BRASS?!?!?!

https://soundcloud.com/starcraft-ii-official/starcraft-remastered-terran-01/s-WeHPk

I'm also seeing this for the first time:

http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1021776/Against-the-Burning-Hells-Diablo


They going into detail for one full hour about why Diablo 3 was a complete failure. They are brutally honest with themselves. Maybe there's hope for Diablo 4. I just wish they would've done something like this for StarCraft II's story.

[Visions of Khas]

So did anyone else notice that the Zealot's chin is forcing itself over the collar piece? I can't unsee it now. It's like this beige slug slowly slinking its way across this jutting piece of metal.

[TheEconomist]

HAHAHAHAHAAH!!!!

I didn't even notice that! Hahaha, I knew subconsciously something wasn't right with that head but it's so ugly regardless I never looked closely.

But, damn, I guess, maybe, this means that its the work of some intern and hasn't been approved by higher-ups, and it was just accidentally posted on the internet .. Right? Right?!?!

[Turalyon]

That 'toss is so boss that it ain't letting any old clipping issues stop him posing.

[Gradius]

Dat battle.net menu background:

https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/gallery/GFZAYY5M3XWS1496853851343.jpg

[Undeadprotoss]

I saw that! I actually really liked it and I'm glad they kept up that style.

[TheEconomist]

Dat battle.net menu background:

https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/gallery/GFZAYY5M3XWS1496853851343.jpg

Still prefer the old, but it's damn close, and a home run for current Blizzard.

[Visions of Khas]

I wonder, was there any word on how they'll treat the cinematics? Were they going to be using the animated comics for that?

[Undeadprotoss]

I think they won't be redoing the cinematics, but instead just remastering them in the same way they do with animated movies. Blizzard at one time actually sold a DVD collection of remastered StarCraf, WC3, and Diablo 2 cinematics. I have it.

[Gradius]

Yeah the DVD cinematics are a noticeable upgrade from the game. Maybe they'll add some more optimizations or re-render them with some upscaled textures or something.

[TheEconomist]

It'd also be nice if they fixed some obvious problems, like the frozen animations in the Overmind cinematic. But that's probably too much for no real benefit. I never even noticed until the director's commentary on the DVD pointed it out, lol.

[sandwich_bird]

Terran is up:

2513

Big departure in style/ambiance once again... but, I don't hate it.

[Robear]

I don't love or hate it. Imo it's wayy better than the Protoss one, not as good as the Zerg.

One thing that's a tiny bit odd is all of the original victory screens had that teal/orange colorscheme going on, while the defeat screens were straight orange/brown. But while the remastered zealot and hydra victory screens are still teal/orange, this terran one has a lot less orange, and the planet is more blue than teal. (https://edge.alluremedia.com.au/m/k/2017/04/StarCraft-2017-03-31-22-26-58-540.jpg) I wonder why.

[TheEconomist]

I don't love or hate it. Imo it's wayy better than the Protoss one, not as good as the Zerg.

Pretty much this. As I've before, anything that doesn't appear to be a negative is a positive in this era of low expectations.

[Visions of Khas]

Big departure in style/ambiance once again... but, I don't hate it.


This pic is larger than the one in the Artwork thread. You can tell the artist positioned roughed out Marine models into position, rendered the landscape, and painted over the models in another program. The style and ambiance are all different because I think it's a different artist. Or at least a different approach to the painting than what we've seen with the carrier and zealot screens.

[sandwich_bird]

I guess it's easier (to some extent) to be consistent across artists when you work in 3d vs HD 2d drawings. Otherwise, you probably need strong processes in place, like traditional animation studios do, to keep the style consistent. Maybe I'm strongly mistaken, but it doesn't seem that this is the case for this project. For example, the dude doing the zerg portraits (Mr Jack?) looks like he's just doing his own thing.

[KaiserStratosTygo]

Better than P and Z but not great.

looks too much like SC2 marines with giant overly heavy looking guns.

[TheEconomist]

IIRC, the Zerg were the most faithful, and probably my favorite, IMHO.

[Robear]

looks too much like SC2 marines with giant overly heavy looking guns.


The reason for this is that they're using the exact same models for the sprites and the splash art. The original gun in the sprite is way thicker than the gun on the 'cinematic' model so that it would actually show up, so here the 'cinematic' version also has a bulky gun. You can see that new extra plate on top of the upper barrel, that wasn't there originally, corresponds to that block of team color on the end of the gun in the original sprite. (http://i.imgur.com/lkr7tzR.png)

Similarly, the cinematic wraith's laser cannons were too thin to show up well in the sprite, so the sprite model had much fatter cannons, so in the remaster on the campaign screen the wraiths are fat. Not accurate to the original campaign screen, yes accurate to the sprite.

At least they're consistent!

[Nissa]

One thing I kinda like about the Terran victory screen is that there's very obviously one primary light source -- like there's a vehicle just off-screen that lighting everything up.

Of course, that does give this a very "staged" feel. Like Mengsk gave orders to some marines to go take a shot to be used in imperial propaganda.

[drakolobo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM2zcv5AfaM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM2zcv5AfaM

[drakolobo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxJgMaW9Kes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxJgMaW9Kes