Synthwave Drift
- Closed Project by ZeroWorks Studio (2020)
Created by ZeroWorks Studio, a small group of enthusiastic developers made up of myself and several friends, Synthwave Drift was a small indie game produced within a short development period for all mobile devices. What began as a side project for the team, alongside our university studies and work, soon became something more with the the hope of releasing a 3D endless runner ('Synthwave Drift') as well as several other project ideas for the near future.
My Contribution
(April 2020 - September 2020) - Lead 3D Artist
My role on this project is that of Lead 3D Artist, developing concepts for and modelling a large sum of the environment, assets and props. Throughout this process I am required to develop advanced renders of such items for promotional purposes and evolved concepts for the team to follow.
Environments
One of my main roles on this project was the development of surreal synthwave environments that all players would interact with. Due to the genre and perspective of the game, a large amount of the environment would be placed on the side of the screens. Despite some limitations, I was not restricted in my freedom to develop interesting and unique synthwave environments in my own personal style which cohesively tied the rest of the game together.
click the link below to explore the development of the 'Synthwave Drift' environments!
Props
Throughout this project, I was also heavily involved in the design and creation of many of the props that feature within our game. The most important props I was working on included the car models, which the player will be controlling, as well as several additional minor props such as obstacles and power ups. As the Lead 3D Artist on this project, I was required to work closely with the other Modellers on the team, assisting and advising on their creations, as well as taking many of their models and texturing them for both game and promotional material.
(Individual contributions will be credited below)
click the link below to explore the development of the 'Synthwave Drift' props!
Assets
Alongside the creation of the environments, I needed to create several assets that would provide context and clarity to the surroundings and overall design of the environments. Whether it was the creation of the mountain plain, or the development of a synthwave city, all the environments I produced required many assets which helped develop and forward the synthwave aesthetic. Sticking to the all important synthwave style, these assets helped develop the environments into the final outcomes you see today, helping unite the props and environment into one cohesive synthwave project.
click the link below to explore the development of the 'Synthwave Drift' assets!
“ZeroWorks Studio has been founded by a group of friends as we realized that all of us had very different skill sets that could come together to create an awesome gaming experience for players. When it came to Mitchell, everyone was impressed by his 3D modelling skills he had developed during his 3 years at Arts University Bournemouth especially on his final project Good Gully. However when we approached him, we had not yet decided on a concept of a game, so we wanted to make sure he was confident in his flexibility as a 3D Modeller. Then, with Mitchell's help, we decided on a game with a retro Synthwave aesthetic. First Mitchell created some concept art for the car the player controls and the environment of the game, and it was clear to us at this point Mitchell very quickly adapted and learned what the aesthetic stylings were down to the kind of shapes and colours that are commonly used in the genre.”