Welcome to a comprehensive guide on crafting assets for the popular game, Brawlhalla for Desktop and Infinity (BfDI). Creating engaging and strategic assets involves a blend of artistic and technical skills. This guide will walk you through the process, from understanding the game's aesthetics to creating your assets using suitable software. Let's dive in!
Brawlhalla is an action-packed platform fighter with a unique art style that combines traditional hand-drawn 2D graphics with modern gaming aesthetics. To create assets that fit seamlessly into the game, you'll need to understand and emulate this visual language. Study the game's art book or the official Brawlhalla website to familiarize yourself with the game's universe, character designs, and color palettes.
The Creative Process
Before you start sketching or modeling, it's crucial to plan your assets carefully. Begin by brainstorming ideas for your character, stage, weapon, or item. Consider their lore, playstyle, and visual identity. Sketch rough concepts to explore different design directions and refine your ideas.
Once you've settled on a design, create a detailed turnaround document. This should include front, side, three-quarter, and back views, as well as details like facial expressions, color variations, and transparency maps. This step ensures all aspects of your asset are well-thought-out before production begins.
Character Design
Brawlhalla's characters are diverse and expressive, each with their unique visual flair. To create a compelling character, focus on silhouette, proportions, and details that communicate their personality and backstory. Study real-world references and other game characters for inspiration, but remember to maintain a distinct visual style.
When creating 2D sprites, design them with a consistent line weight and style. There should be a clear hierarchy of details, with the most important elements prioritized. For 3D models, aim for a few clean, crisp shapes that work well from most angles. Use normals and vertex colors to create subtle details without sacrificing performance.
Stage Design
Stages in Brawlhalla are more than just backdrops; they're interactive environments that can influence gameplay. When designing a stage, consider its layout, platforms, hazards, and visual storytelling. Sketch out a rough floor plan, then develop it into a detailed 2D/3D asset.
Be mindful of scale and proportions. Brawlhalla characters are roughly 75% as tall as the default stage's height. Use this to inform your stage's size and layout. Additionally, ensure there's enough blank space around the edge of your stage to accommodate hitbox restrictions.
Technical Assets Production
Now that your designs are finalized, it's time to bring them to life using suitable software. Brawlhalla primarily uses 2D sprites and 3D models, so let's dive into both.
For 2D assets, Adobe Photoshop or similar software is ideal. Import your turnaround documents, then paint over them with the final colors, shading, and highlights. Use layers and layer styles to create clean, editable files. Export your sprites as PNGs with transparent backgrounds and a consistent naming scheme.
2D Sprites
Brawlhalla's 2D art style combines hand-drawn elements with clean, flat colorareas. Use a consistent, predefined color palette to maintain a cohesive look. Paint your sprites using a hard-edge, slightly textured brush for the outlines and a soft-rounded brush for color areas.
Create separate layers for different parts of your character, such as body, clothing, and accessories. This makes it easy to animate them independently. Also, include a 'blank' version of each sprite with no details, ready for animation effects like glowing or outlining.
3D Models
For 3D assets, Blender is recommended. Sculpt or model your character Stage using polygons or sculpting tools. Aim for a low polygon count to maintain performance-friendly assets.
Once your model is complete, add materials and textures. Use PBR (Physically-Based Rendering) materials for a realistic look. Create normals, vertex colors, and transparency maps for subtle details. Export your models as créé files, including animation data if applicable.
Animation
Animation plays a significant role in Brawlhalla's appeal. Whether you're creating 2D spritesheets or 3D animations, study the game's animation style closely. It's full of exaggerated movements, expressive poses, and rim lighting.
For 2D animations, Adobe Animate or similar software can be used. Break down each move into its component parts, then create new layers from the appropriate sprite sheets. Use frames and tweening to create fluid motion.
For 3D animations, use Blender's animation tools. Break down the action into parts, like idle, attack, and jump. Create 'root' poses for each part, then interpolate between them using keyframes. Export your animations as cré files, including separate skeleton and animation data.
There you have it! A comprehensive guide to creating assets for Brawlhalla. Now that you have the knowledge, it's time to start designing and breathe life into your own fantastic creations. Happy creating!