In Hellblade we’re striving to create our most believable and compelling character yet. In our 16th development diary we focus on the creation of Senua’s face.
This was a beautiful insight of 3D modeling. It’s incredible to see how perfect the face models looked like and to couple that with animations that will eventually follow… man oh man! Very nice job by the guys of 3lateral!
I also love that you guys work with other studios/companies to reach your goals. Keep on doing this great work!
Melina, you’re going to be a star! I am really exited to see the outcome. After this video expectations are high 🙂
You are lucky to have Melina in your team. Melina seems natural and is beautiful.
Cool job people!
I understand the desire to use an actual person’s face, as the more ‘work’ put into a character face, the greater the risk of plunging headlong into the uncanny valley. However, in Senua’s case, I shall deeply lament the loss of the character in the original concept art. There is something…more primitive, or perhaps brutal in that face, that does not exist in the face of someone raised in our modern, comfortable western world. THAT face was the face of a woman who has lived in a harsh and merciless world, and fought her way through it, gaining a certain hardness that someone raised in a safe, non-violent world simply lacks.
Look at images of survivors of war-torn, or unstable nations, and you will begin to see the same kind of ‘hardened’ expression shown in the original concept art. It’s the face of someone who has seen and suffered extreme brutality, but has not just chosen to survive, but to actively REFUSE to give up. These are the faces of fighters, male or female, young or old…they fight because that is the life they know, and because they REFUSE to be victims. And it stamps a near indelible mark on their faces, a hardness unique to those who never give up, never surrender, and will only accept death when it has choked the very life from them, even as they claw and fight in defiance of it.
Sadly, I no longer see this in Senua’s face, and I’ll definitely be sure to preserve the concept art to remind me what could have been…
Still looking forward to the game, keep up the good work!
Jousef W.
Posted at 17:43h, 23 OctoberThis was a beautiful insight of 3D modeling. It’s incredible to see how perfect the face models looked like and to couple that with animations that will eventually follow… man oh man! Very nice job by the guys of 3lateral!
I also love that you guys work with other studios/companies to reach your goals. Keep on doing this great work!
L.S.
Posted at 22:24h, 23 OctoberLooks awesome. Ninja Theory is really talented when it comes to making 3D models.
Filmwonder
Posted at 05:17h, 24 OctoberDetail like this is simply jaw dropping This is one of the few.games that requires photorealistic images of the face and executes it wonderfully !
RodyHW
Posted at 10:33h, 24 OctoberGorgeous.
VFX Serbia
Posted at 15:30h, 25 OctoberCongrats to Ninja Theory and 3Lateral. Great model and facial rig!
Posted at VFX Serbia:
https://vfxserbia.com/2015/10/25/3lateral-and-ninja-theory-ltd-hellblade-development-diary-16-the-face-of-senua/
Michel
Posted at 09:46h, 26 OctoberMelina, you’re going to be a star! I am really exited to see the outcome. After this video expectations are high 🙂
You are lucky to have Melina in your team. Melina seems natural and is beautiful.
Cool job people!
Michel
Posted at 09:48h, 26 October..have to add: just hope you add hair to Senua’s head later 🙂
Daiki Asuka Jr.
Posted at 07:49h, 20 AprilI understand the desire to use an actual person’s face, as the more ‘work’ put into a character face, the greater the risk of plunging headlong into the uncanny valley. However, in Senua’s case, I shall deeply lament the loss of the character in the original concept art. There is something…more primitive, or perhaps brutal in that face, that does not exist in the face of someone raised in our modern, comfortable western world. THAT face was the face of a woman who has lived in a harsh and merciless world, and fought her way through it, gaining a certain hardness that someone raised in a safe, non-violent world simply lacks.
Look at images of survivors of war-torn, or unstable nations, and you will begin to see the same kind of ‘hardened’ expression shown in the original concept art. It’s the face of someone who has seen and suffered extreme brutality, but has not just chosen to survive, but to actively REFUSE to give up. These are the faces of fighters, male or female, young or old…they fight because that is the life they know, and because they REFUSE to be victims. And it stamps a near indelible mark on their faces, a hardness unique to those who never give up, never surrender, and will only accept death when it has choked the very life from them, even as they claw and fight in defiance of it.
Sadly, I no longer see this in Senua’s face, and I’ll definitely be sure to preserve the concept art to remind me what could have been…
Still looking forward to the game, keep up the good work!