DevTracker

[Grummz]

Okay...so I've been working with Tommaso on tweaking the Omniframe Mk I to improve the design based on the feedback you gave us. The majority of you wanted us to tweak the original frame rather than create the Mk II, which some of you felt was more generic and less mech-like.

After exchanging some drawing, photoshops and references, we finally had a direction we thought was working well. Tommaso then used Joe's great model as a starting point and began to tweak and push and pull and create new parts based on our new design.

Working from the original model saved a lot of time. You all were right: we could save a lot of time taking the original vision and doing a few tweaks instead of going with a brand new design. So we tweaked proportions, beefed up the legs, added a full seat and thicker spine and a few other goodies.

We hope you like the result as much as we do! Joe and I are thrilled, and Tommaso really gave it his all despite being sick with the flu.

Here it is:

Note that we added rollcage to the whole open cockpit, to better support the upper torso. The legs are also completely redesigned. The seat is a racing seat and instead of mechanical links to the arms, we have mechanical sleeves that the operated uses to create "mirror movements" in the MEK's arms.

Overall I feel like it turned out well. The entire thing is more believable, as if it could actually exist. It blends Japanese mecha design aesthetics with western real-life robotics similar to Boston Dynamic's walkers. An additional goal was to also bring the design of the MEK much more in-line with the THMPR, so that the two would feel like they came from the same MEK universe.

Merry Christmas, everyone! No update next week as are all on vacation. Enjoy these renders and let us know what you think!

- Grummz & the Em-8ER Team

 

[Grummz]

Hi everyone.

I don't have any visuals to share, but we've spend the entire week with iterations, revisions, and tweaks to the Omniframe. Based on your heartfelt feedback, we decided to keep the original Mk I design, but with vast improvements. It's starting to look A LOT better.

Tommaso and I shot drawings and notes back and for every day, honing in on what was missing from the original design and the feedback from you, the backers. We wanted to take our time to get things right. We added a rollcage, a stiffer spine and a racing seat to the frame. We also redesigned the lower legs and, overall, gave the model a detail pass we felt was missing.

The results are looking much better, but its not to the point where it is complete enough to present to the community. Tommaso is currently looking at the head and shoulders to see where we can improve the design in those areas.

Aside from drawing, Tommaso has been working in 3D as well. Working fast, we were able to disassemble Joe's original model to help speed the construction of the new one. We did a lot of tweaks to proportions, shapes, and style that are making the model sit sleeker, meaner and much cooler than our original design. I am confident we can show you a new 3D model very soon now, even with the holidays. Of course, Joe will still have to redo the low-poly and texture passes, but this should save valuable time.

Thank you again for all your feedback, passion and patience. This is the player character, so we wanted to make sure it felt really, really good to look at.

Other Updates:

I'm almost done painting the Max Kahuna THMPRs! These will be ready to ship next week, just in time for Christmas! These ended up being fun to paint, but we will also begin production of a unpainted plastic version to ship at a latter time to Maxes who wanted both.

Also, this week I've been working with Michael Bross, the lead composer of Firefall, on the music for Em-8ER. We are still in pre-production phases but his main task is to score the THMPR encounter for the demo.

I wanted the THMPR encounter music to tell a story, with musical sections for a clear beginning, middle, end, and all the tension and release points in between. To do this we are using a dynamic music system that will ebb and flow with the pace of the action. The THMPR dropping will sound like anticipation, the mining will sound like a tense lull, followed by action oriented attack waves, ending with defeat or victory.

Dynamic music with the THMPR encounter is something I've wanted to do since Firefall. So I'm very excited to have this for Em-8ER!

That wraps up this week. Thank you again for all your help. I know it was a busy time in the forums! Your enthusiasm and replies really perked me up and gave me extra gas this busy holiday month. We have great fans and backers and, for that, we are grateful!

- Markus
aka Grummz
aka Navel Lord

 

[Grummz]

Yeah I got that, I'm wondering about the actual print outs that were being shipped out, unless I've mistaken the actual shipment date

The actual 3d models and the and painted ones, reference to max kahuna also

Max Kahunas get a painted version of the 3D printout, which I am finishing this weekend and shipping out next week. I understand Kahunas want a non painted version too. Happy to do this, but they will be printed and shipped after the painted ones. Thanks!

 

[Ronyn]

The actual 3d models and the and painted ones, reference to max kahuna also

Ah the THMPR bust. Alright, I'll get you fixed up!

 

[Ronyn]

He didn't really clarify with that question, simply asking "why this isn't like this?" more or less. As for the picture he used, yes it did have hard driver, but it also had all the differences of the open one being sleeker and smoother and more curved and flowing in all areas. So without clarification from them it's impossible to really know what they were asking for specifically, maybe they did only think of the hard driver, maybe they were focused on the overall form, or maybe they picked that one because they were referring to both. Or maybe, they weren't even caring on the models form and stuff, but just wanted it in the pose of the other one...

A note to all people, clarify on ambiguous statements or inquiries! It can drive people like me nuts trying to figure it out (that said, you don't have to go onto massive page long tangents like I often do either, try to find the nice middle ground or something).

Fair enough. I took it to mean the hard driver aspect specifically because of how rarely folks use that particular picture when referring to anything except the hard diver mode in particular.....but perhaps the question I answered wasn't the one they were asking.

Would you mind clarifiying @Hägen