Embedded Files
Welcome to another dev update! I've been quiet for a while, but let me assure you, things have been happening. So today let's take a moment to talk about some updates, particularly when it comes to the art and the artists!
So let's start with the biggest announcement up front...
Welcome the new AToM artist... Chumphon "Zen" Singhakawi!
Welcome the new AToM artist... Chumphon "Zen" Singhakawi!
I first met Zen during a local game-related event and... Well, you know when you first meet someone, and you get a clear feeling that they'll be huge some day? After meeting and working with Mr. Chumphon here, I think the only thing seperating them from "big name" status is time. I wouldn't be surprised if 5 to 10 years from now Chumphon Singhakawi is a household name in fantasy illustration, and with fantastic and evocative illustrations, and a really good work ethic, I think you'll all be able to see why.
So without further a do, here's a sneak preview of Chumphon's work for AToM, in the form of his first card illustration: Lightning Bolt!
Personally I love how powerful it feels, you know? The lightning, the dynamic pose, the "reeling" of the target... That mage up front is getting cooked. You definitely don't want to get hit by that.
Given how much of Apotheosis's visual appeal is the card art, it's very important to me that said art is good. It's the first thing you'll likely see when glancing at a game of AToM. I need each piece of art to be evocative of the spell or action that you should generally get the gist of what's happening even without reading the card - I this case, I need "Lightning Bolt" to convey that it's a damage dealing spell.
I also need it to be interesting enough to make you go "uh... That's cool... What else is going on there??", so things like general artwork quality, but also dynamism and composition of scene play a big role.
Well, personally I think Zen got it perfectly on this one, and I hope you're all excited to see the rest of them in time!
If you're interested in following Chumphon Singhakawi (and you should be!), here are his socials:
But wait, that's more!
But wait, that's more!
But that's not all! While Zen there has been working on artwork, so I can get rid of all the AI placeholders, I've been working on the card backs.
This has definitely been a process. I have a very modest background in art of any kind, and knew basically nothing of vector art or associated art styles prior to this, which means a LOT of my work has been research, learning, and trial and error.
And iterate I did... a LOT...
Some stuff I arrived at fairly early: I knew how I wanted the name to be presented, and I knew I wanted the symbol to be up, front, and center of the image... But everything else?
How do you decorate the rest thematically? What's too much, or too little? Colours? And so on...
Also, while the card backs aren't as important as the card art (you likely won't see it as often as the card front), they're still important, and I'd hate to see these again in a few years and feel like I could have done better. Which leads us to the current final version:
I'm happy with it, to be honest. Like everything else, it's not "final". There's always room for adjustments, and nothing is fully locked in until it's sent to the factory for production, but, I think I'm happy with where it is right now.
A little aside but, honestly, I just think it's really cool to see this project gain "shape". See these become "real cards", and I can't wait until the whole deck is ready for a test printing!
Meanwhile, a lot more work to be done!
Not just some boring, but very necessary, background stuff regarding legal company setup, finding production and shipping costs, etc, but also very practical things like box art, redoing all the art-related promo stuff that uses the current AI art as the new "real" art rolls in, rulebook, and more testing, balancing, adjusting - never done testing!
Current feedback and reception has been exceedingly positive, so... On we go!
Oh yeah, and also, I've released the latest story on the AToM world: The Ultimate Reward! A world reknown mage and duelist is sent to stop an evil mage atop his mage tower lest the nearby towns are cursed for ever! Or at least, that's what he was hired for...
Aaaaand I think that's it for this time! Thank you for reading, and I'll see you all next time!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse