“There’s no inspiration to pull from other videogames” - Interview with TF2’s lead visual designer
GameIndustry.biz has an interview with Moby Franke - the lead visual designer for Team Fortress 2 over at Valve.
The biggest killer advantage Team Fortress 2 has over other games is its amazingly distinctive and original visual style. The style and humour (through the meet the crew vids) were the things that really attracted me to this game - after that the kick ass game play kept me hooked. In that respect, Moby and Valve’s work has been a great success in hitting the mark.
I love the (lack of) artistic value he places on other games
When you talk about artistic influence for Team Fortress 2 I notice you never mention any videogames at all.
There’s no inspiration to pull from other videogames.
Why isn’t there inspirational art in videogames?
Because other games are too focused on realism. Everybody’s focused on the smaller treatments and they are not solving the global problem which is the marriage between game design and visual design. Once you put visual design and proper gameplay together both of them can compliment each other. It comes down to the fact that one hand washes the other – in order to make a complete and immersive product you have to have that.
madlep on January 1st 2008 in team fortress 2
Stumble it!
Anonymous responded on 02 Jan 2008 at 9:01 am #
I think Valve has really done such a good job turning TFC into TF2…
I can definetly see how no inspiration was pulled from other games in the making of TF2… its just that unique, and very “out of the box”
Every game will have their haters, but personally I think TF2 is such a stroke of genius. Granted its not perfect (such as lack of maps), but it’s good enough to make an impression (and even maybe inspire the next coming “unrealistic” shooters)
Elvis! responded on 02 Jan 2008 at 1:16 pm #
gameplay > realism anyday. I love the art direction of TF2….as much as i realise COD4 is amazing (for example)….it kinda blurs into the periphery with every other BF2 style game around. TF2 is a breath of fresh air IMO
RaMsYs responded on 03 Jan 2008 at 12:07 am #
i dont think that the lack of maps is a downside. sure… the original maps that were shipped with the game are great but i usually play custom maps nowadays. there are some great custom maps out there.