Hello Commanders!
In today’s devlog, we will share some inside information about Art Style and Music Inspirations, a crucial element that makes Three Skies Ascension what it is. Let’s jump right in and explore it together!
Crafting the Art Style
When we first started developing *Three Skies Ascension*, our artistic direction was inspired by a combination of anime aesthetics and stylized cartoon visuals in games like *League of Legends* and *World of Warcraft*. We wanted to create something visually appealing yet accessible, and this blend of influences helped shape our distinctive style.
From 3D to 2D
Originally, we had considered making the game in 3D, as our main artist had a strong background in that area. However, due to scheduling constraints, our primary 3D artist was busy with another project, while our concept artist, who specialized in 2D, was available. This led us to pivot towards a predominantly 2D style, allowing us to fully leverage the talent we had at hand.
The Evolution from Pixel Art to Cartoon Style
In the early stages of development, we experimented with pixel art. However, as we progressed, we realized that we felt more comfortable with a cartoon-style approach. One of the major considerations in refining our art style was deciding how to handle shading and details. Initially, we debated whether to use gradient shading, but we ultimately opted for a simpler style that relied on clean shading and highlights. This decision also made it easier to implement a palette-swapping system, which gave us more flexibility in creating variations of assets.
Challenges in Unifying the Art Style
A unique aspect of the cartoon style we chose is its unforgiving nature when it comes to consistency in anatomy, facial expressions, and proportions where any mistakes become immediately noticeable. One of the biggest challenges we faced was ensuring a cohesive visual identity, especially while working with multiple artists. Keeping character designs consistent across different hands was a meticulous process, but it was essential for maintaining the quality and integrity of *Three Skies Ascension*.
Pushing the Boundaries of Character Design
One of the most exciting aspects of our art style is the freedom it gives us to push character proportions and designs beyond conventional limits. This is best showcased by the contrast between characters like *Fogran*, the towering demi-giant, and *Veneficus*, the diminutive halfling wizard. This level of variety allowed us to create a visually diverse world while maintaining an overarching stylistic cohesion.
Crafting the Soundscape
A game’s art style sets the visual tone, but music and sound design are just as critical in creating an immersive experience. For Three Skies Ascension, we collaborated with Red Forge, an incredibly talented audio studio that played a key role in defining the game's auditory identity.
A World Brought to Life Through Sound
Working with *Red Forge* was an incredible experience. They composed a total of **27 unique tracks** and designed **hundreds of sound effects** to bring the world of *Three Skies Ascension* to life. The music seamlessly complements our various environments, from epic orchestral themes that accompany intense battles to serene melodies that enhance exploration and storytelling moments.
Beyond just the soundtrack, the sheer variety of sound effects they created helped add depth and immersion to every action, whether it be the clash of weapons, the crackle of magic, or the ambient sounds of bustling towns and wild landscapes.
Conclusion
The artistic and musical choices behind *Three Skies Ascension* were shaped by both creative aspirations and practical constraints, leading us to develop a distinct cartoon-style aesthetic and a richly immersive soundscape. Despite the challenges, our team’s passion and dedication, along with the incredible work of *Red Forge*, allowed us to craft a game that feels both visually and aurally engaging. We can't wait for players to experience the world we've built, and we hope that our art and music will leave a lasting impression!