The Misadventures of Giga and the Temple of Tanoka
3D Artist - Group Project
2020
"The Misadventures of Giga and the Temple of Tanoka", this 3D platformer game follows the journey of an intrepid explorer as they venture into the depths of ancient Aztec ruins. As a key member of the development team, I served as both Lead Lighting Artist and 3D Lead on this exciting 6-month university project.
Immersive Environmental Progression
From an Art point of view, this project presented a unique chance to experiment with color theory, creating striking contrasts between illuminated and shadowy areas. By carefully selecting hues and tones, we established distinct visual identities for each section of the game world.
Immersive Environmental Progression.
Immersive Environmental Progression.
The player's journey begins in a lush, exotic cave, teeming with natural beauty. As they progress through the intersection, subtle temple elements are introduced, gradually building towards a grand reveal: the entrance to an awe-inspiring Aztec-inspired Temple.
Tutorial Area
Temple within the first level, beyond the Tutorial Area
Second section of the first level, Temple under construction.
Streamlined Asset Creation Workflow
To produce high-quality, optimized assets, it was essential to follow a efficient and professional workflow. This approach ensured that the assets were not only visually acceptable but also performed well in the game engine. The process began with creating a simple base mesh in 3ds Max, which served as the foundation for the object's general shape. This base mesh was then imported into ZBrush, where I sculpted a highly detailed model using custom Alpha Brushes to generate intricate details.
I used the high-poly model to bake details onto the low-poly model, creating a detailed and optimized asset. A custom Smart Material was applied to highlight baked details and maintain a consistent Edge Wear look across all assets.
I used the high-poly model to bake details onto the low-poly model, creating a detailed and optimized asset. A custom Smart Material was applied to highlight baked details and maintain a consistent Edge Wear look across all assets.
The Jaguar Mask and Gecko Mask, integral components of an inherent ability in this Project were crafted in 3ds Max, refined in ZBrush, and textured in Substance Painter. To maintain authenticity with the Aztec-inspired theme, I drew inspiration from real-world Aztec masks while also taking creative liberties to fit the game's visual style. By hand-painting textures in Substance Painter, I achieved a handmade feel reminiscent of traditional Aztec masks. A balance of authenticity and artistic freedom.
Each mask comes with a unique ability element, such as the Gecko Lens. This lens will be integrated into the PlayStation Dual Shock controller, allowing players to look through it and reveal hidden objects within the game world.
Gecko Mask & Lens, reveal objects through the looking glass.
Jaguar Mask & Claw, fire grapple Rope and traverse.