Every good video game needs a bad guy, and coming up with an engaging boss character can be a fun challenge. They’re bigger and meaner than the rest of the game’s grunts, and it’ll take a bit of work on the player’s side to figure out how to beat them. What makes a good boss character though, and what are some of the different ways we can explore the design to craft and create something memorable?
In his workshop, I’m going to run through a few of the different processes and ideas I explore when designing a boss character for a 2D indie game. I’ll also show how it can fit within the development pipeline.
Indie game companies are usually only small teams made up of a few people. As a result, it’s pretty common for each member to take on multiple roles within the development pipeline. For the sake of this workshop I’m going to assume the role of art director, concept designer, and character artist… so basically I’m telling myself what to do, laying out ideas, and then critiquing my own work! So sit back, grab a pen, and follow along by scribbling up your own cartoon monsters and see what your next boss character could be.
1 Study the brief
Before I start drawing out any old boss character, I need to make sure that it’s going to fit into the game world. Our game designer and art director have provided a design brief that gives me a good place to start. I’ve underlined the important features and taken particular note of the style they need: “Colourful and stylized cartoon”. Clearly, my design will need to gel with the rest of the game’s aesthetic.
PAINT EPIC BATTLES IN TRADITIONAL INK
Warhammer illustrator THOMAS ELLIOTT shows you how to create an epic science fiction fight scene with this step-by-step guide
CONJURE MAGIC ILLUSTRATIONS
Daria Anako demonstrates her process for creating a whimsical piece of art with some spellbinding touches
First Impressions
We discover the early influences that inspired the artist
ZBrush for iPad
GAME CHANGER The desktop version of popular 3D sculpting software ZBrush has been redesigned for iPad - and it's brilliant
BenQ GW2786TC
GET AN EYEFUL Don't scrimp out on your health with a monitor that's kind on the eyes and good for creative tasks
Huion Kamvas Pro 19
TABLET WARS An attractive pen display does an excellent job of balancing price and performance as it sets out to challenge its rivals in the mobile marketplace
DRAGON OFORCEC
Legendary D&D artist Larry Elmore explains the keys to crafting timeless fantasy art.
DUNGEON MASTERS
ImagineFX marks the milestone 50th anniversary of the launch of Dungeons & Dragons with a look at its rich tradition of illustration
Erik Ly
Gamer's haven Why the artist enjoys a maximalist aesthetic more than the minimalist approach.
2D meets 3D: How the workflows are merging
Interdimensional As VFX and animation evolve and tools become more accessible, Tanya Combrinck asks whether the separation between the mediums is reducing