Ultimate Game Design : Building game worlds

C H A P T E R 1
parts approach to the design. It all becomes drag and drop … like Legos … complexity from
simplicity.
TM: For game environments, what do you use as a source of visual inspiration?
AH: I hunt the Web for a general theme, and I also am religious about checking out
bookstores—especially those with a large amount of art and architecture books and magazines. You
never know when something will just slap you in the iris.
TM: What tips do you have for someone interested in learning more about building 3-D
environments?
AH: I think just traveling to see cool spaces first hand, and then drawing and photographing these
spaces, helps tremendously. And then, just hit the computer and have fun … that is what it should all
be about.
TM: What do you enjoy most about working in 3-D? About building game (or other) environments?
AH: Well, I think there is the aspect of being God without any of the downside. I get to create real
or imagined characters and environments and then watch as other people interact with them so that
they become something greater than what they were originally.
I love to create in a medium that is still flexing its wings, and I love that by creating things on the
computer I am able to experience the world around me in a more profound way. It has changed how I
look at the world, and how I react to the world around me in a tremendous fashion.
TM: With large-scale MMOG-style games like Everquest out there, how will developers continue to
deliver large environmental experiences? What will be some of the challenges?
AH: Well, I think to a certain extent there will be a modular component to this like we said, and I
see more algorithmic practices developing where an environment becomes more complex by the more
time you spend in it.
Level of detail on a massive scale. Terrain generation will become more important as will display of
organic shapes likes plants and trees, etc. With computers getting more and more powerful, it should
be no problem.
TM: With all of your experience across mediums, what three tips would you provide to someone
interested in 3-D environmental work?
AH: 1. Draw like a banshee. 2. Photograph environments and shapes in the real world that interest
you. 3. Research art, architecture, and sculpture all the time.
TM: Thanks for taking the time to talk! Offer up any tips, suggestions, warnings, or reprisals you
would like!
AH: I think traveling, drawing, and reading are constants. It is possible to get burned out because of
the constant trade-offs between what you want to create and what you can create based on technical
constraints. Get away from the computer and experience the world so that what you do in 3-D is
expressive of the world, and not just a rehashing of some computer game’s look … and have fun …
have a vision and have fun with it!
TM: Seriously, how does bullfighting relate to working in games?
AH: In the course of your career, you will see a lot of bullcrap … it’s important not to take your
eye off the bull, but you also have to watch your step.
TM: Reminds me of Rodney Dangerfield in the movie Back to School—“Look out for number one.
And don’t step in any number two.” Try and look out for more than number one, try and look out for
your team, your ideas, and your vision. Stay committed to your path. Andrew, thanks so much for the
wise words!
21
Previsualization