GDC2009

1. SPECKING OUT AAA ART DEVELOPMENT
Know the Hell you’re getting into!

2. Introduction
STEFAN BAIER
Pipeline Architect / Co-Founder of Streamline Studios
Focus on
• IPs
• Client Communication
• Production Management
RENIER BANNINGA
Studio Art Director /Co-Founder of Streamline Studios
Focus on
• Art Direction
• Research and Development for new Art application

3. Introduction
Streamline Studios is a world leading production studio and
provider of creative content for the video game industry.
• 8 years as an established global player
• over 40 projects for top-tier clients went through our fully
vetted integrated content development pipeline

4. But sometimes….

5. It’s easy…

6. To lose sight…

7. Of the Big Picture

8. WHAT IS
THE AAA
DEVELOPMENT
STANDARD?

9. Different Methods evolve, challenges remain the same

10. BETTER PRE PRODUCTION?

11. REUSING CONTENT?

12. HOPEFULLY BETTER SCHEDULING?

13. NEXT GEN GAMES

14. NEXT GEN GAMES
Rising Costs, Rising Challenges, Rising Team Size …
•Can’t Afford Mistakes
•Quicker Turnaround Times
•Managerial Skills/Strategy skills growing in importance
•Investments into tools and Infrastructure crucial

15. PLANNING - Art Technology & Strategy

16. PLANNING - Art Technology & Strategy
A Clear Technology Standpoint
Identify Key Features and Production Tools
Red Flags / Prioritize – Missing / Must Haves

17. PLANNING - Tools

18. PLANNING - Tools
 Ready-Made tools or dedicated staff internally
 Streaming data crucial to success in future tech
 Debugging and Hardware Resources

19. PLANNING – Team Setup

20. PLANNING – Team Setup
TEAM SETUP - PRODUCTION
Understand Development needs (Timeline)
Code-Design-Art loop centralized and track-able!
Identify Production Teams/Categories
Establish solid QA Specifications
Confirm External Internal Partner Resources
Specialized teams with different support roles

21. PLANNING – Team Setup
Code Design Art
Fidelity vs. Visual and Execution
Performance Audio Style
Research, Content Creation
Orientation, Usecase
Planning
Key Assets
Gameplay,
Blockouts,
Iteration

22. PLANNING – Team Setup
TEAM SETUP - ART
Art types defined – Character, Environment, etc.
How to best manage art groups
How to avoid idle time during productions
Ref Gathered and briefs
Hardware/Supporting Systems (Renderfarm/Devkits)

23. PLANNING – Consistency and Quality Standards

24. PLANNING – Consistency and Quality Standards
Standards for Everything – Quality and Detail
Imagine beyond intended usage of Assets
Define Quality Types – Heroic/Basic/etc

25. PLANNING - Blockouts

26. PLANNING - Blockouts
Blockouts Created Early for everything.
Careful with cutting corners

27. INFRASTRUCTURE

28. INFRASTRUCTURE
MANAGERIAL STRUCTURES TO BE SET UP
Consider the other Departments Clients
Work Order Forms from Clients
Approval Stages worked out and roles clarified
Phased Content Creation overview
Codified Database Synchronized Names across all
structures

29. INFRASTRUCTURE – Meta Data

30. INFRASTRUCTURE – Meta Data
Meta Data and Asset Categorizations
Make things logical and consistent to find
High Level Layers for environments ( foundation
pieces, deco, background, interactive, lighting)
Categorize Filters for vehicles/weapons/etc
Naming conventions for Archetypes

31. INFRASTRUCTURE – Meta Data
REALTIME ASSESSMENT/REPORTING TOOLS
QA Checklist for Artwork
Realtime Review and Approval workflows automated!
Reporting Structures set up
Build team and reporting structure for Scale. ( Small
units, large groups)

32. INFRASTRUCTURE – Efficiency and Reuse

33. INFRASTRUCTURE – Efficiency and Reuse

34. INFRASTRUCTURE – Efficiency and Reuse
EFFICIENCY AND REUSE
Constantly optimize art pipes with heaviest load
What planning do you have for your art?
Reuse Strategy – Similar Assets that can benefit each other
How to avoid repeating artwork uselessly

35. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

36. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Revisions based on Information Gathering
Approval/Review/Iterations add up – readjusting
Ensure Final Hardware Testing
IT and Art Manager Dedicated to Art content
Management

37. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Educational Metrics and Assessments
Sharing of Art production methods
Encourage artists to author tools/tutorials
Wiki good base for artist based information

39. Thank You For Your Attention
Visit
www.streamline-studios.com