This was first created during the Easter break, which we decided to use as something of a left-field design brainstorm session. Our use of hand-drawn sprites was starting to be of real concern – the process was becoming unmanageable due to the sheer number of frames, clothing pieces and directions required. We were generally having to shy away from necessary animations, or resorting to ones with a mere one or two frames.
As such we’ve built a new system that uses pre-rendered 3D models that are consequently rendered into sprites. On top of that we then use various techniques to increase clarity when they’re shrunk down so we can emulate the old graphical style as much as possible alongside the crisper animations.
We recognise that some people may miss the retro-look graphics, along with the baldy alien zomboids, but unfortunately the move away from individually hand-drawn sprites was fundamentally necessary for the development of the game. Sprite and animation creation now, genuinely, takes a hundredth of the amount of time it did previously.
What’s more many, many extra features are now on the table for future updates – without us having to scale the terrifying heights of Mt. Animation. Yanking an axe from a zombie's ribcage, decapitations, zombies with busted legs dragging themselves towards you… it’s all possible now, and it won’t be making any significant extra demands on your system either. We hope you agree the possibilities are exciting.
With all this in mind, please check out our demonstration vid. Please note that everything you see is still WIP, contents may settle during transit, this is only our first step towards a more animated world and please keep arms and legs inside the carriage at ALL times.
All this leads us to the inevitable ‘how long till the update plz’ paragraph. As you might be aware, we’re currently running public tests of our update builds on our forum. These are versions that come with their fair share of bugs and launch issues that survivors who don’t mind a rough-ish ride can take for a spin. The next build, R, should (fingers crossed) be released in around two days time – Lemmy is currently fixing the wheelie bin issue and a few save bugs that have cropped up with the changes. The new animation system will be present in the R build, as well as a tweaked approach to combat.
We don’t anticipate that the launch of the official update on our site and Desura will be long after this – although, as ever, unexpected bugs could still rear their heads. We’ll blog again when we have fresh news. Until then Knox County!
Noes, the hand-drawn sprites looked way more awesome in my opinion! When seen from a developer's perspective it does make sense though.
How does this new animation system work though? You say "pre-rendered 3D models that are consequently rendered into sprites.", but in the video you mention being able to change the 'skin' (which is, I assume, technically the texture of the 3d model). If you can retexture the model, don't you have to re-render everything? Or do you guys have a clever technique that replaces the texture on the renders? :D Or am I just misunderstanding something..
They probably have a tool where you pass it the model and texture and then the tool creates the sprites by rendering the model at multiple angles. =]
Ah right, I assume you mean an 'external'/standalone tool? I didn't think of that lol.
I like it.
And I understand the need for some easier technique than hand-drawn Sprites.
Looking froward to more.
Great job! Altought alien zomboids feel nostalgic now.
Neat ! That's going to be pleasant.
I realize that the change is necessary but it is disappointing, however the game still looks great!
I'm in this for the gameplay so it really doesn't matter to me. That said, I think you're making the only choice you really can if you want to expand the animation library. I would assume this will also make shadows a lot easier in the future.
I like what they're doing with it. The long wait since the last update is definitely worth it. Looking forward to playing the update myself! Great work!
Wohoo ! More animated zombies.... more fun !
Awesome!
I think it's still possible to pixelize these sprites a lot more and make them look like the original.
However, new players might enjoy these sprites more, I still prefer the old ones for their Retro 90's adventure look.
I like the old sprites, but with a bit of work I think I will love these. The animations look more fluid and the benefits to you developers are immense. Either way it goes, I look forward to the next release. :]
It looked, different. Somewhat out of place. I prefer the sprite old look.
I'll wait for further updates.
Looks great. The new look I prefer, and I think it still keeps that retro feel.
i did really enjoy the retro feel, because it reminded me of a PS1 game, the sprites and the 3 or 4 different frames they could move it reminded me off games like command and conquer how ever, i did really enjoy the video and i am looking forward to the new and final update for desura :) i think the new system looks really interesting and some how more terrifying O_O
I didn't know this existed. Well, they have one more supporter now. Can't wait to dive into this and see the final product.
more realistic looking zombies..... now everytime i see one i will **** myself
Can't wait for the multiplayer patch.
Can us desura buyers try those beta builds too? or are they only for those who bought the game on the official page?
Anyone can try them out MonZombo. We're not massively flagging them up because there are still a few bugs and launch issues.
Like Batsphinx said anybody can try them out; just head over to the official website then navigate to the forums and follow the installation directions. Just keep in mind that the versions on the forums are buggy. I've made quite a bit of progress then lost it all on a couple occasions because of a crash, bug, etc. So if you don't get super frustrated and are okay with that then go for it, its neat to see how its progressing along.
I agree, more mods = better and thus far it's nice... the fluid movement over 2 step actions... I really did like the sprites but they were so well done you'd almost assume they were models anyway lol
great job guys i think i can speak for a lot of zombie fans in saying your really making our dream game..on the new sprites look i really like the old hand drawn sprites cuz it made the game different and stand out more but when i saw the new models i just thought this game was so much more badass...keep up the good work guys
Looks awesome indeed, just please make sure to use lots of animation blending so when animations change, it looks seamless and beautiful
:333
Not to mention more new weapons would be awesome so this is indeed a huge step for the game :3
.......hrrrr 3 days...... 3 days............ need ... z..zz..zomboid...fix...
3 days... help me.... *wheeze* ... *Hack* ... need.... h-h-help.... need....
*grrrr*.... 3 ....... days....
feed... me... more...
...more...
I dont like how there all moving with their heads forward in slight bending positions and a mild form of half jogging..
I want a zombie game with just plain slow walking... all sorts of animations with zombies looking up or have a look to the side etc. Like the George A. Romero movies and maybe a mild form fast walk but no jogging.
There arms wanting to reach out to you while going for you, one arm doing that to.
It would be interesting of how many animation zombie walks you guys will make.
The zombies I think move way to fast. I would love to see a real George A. Romero setting. No special zombies. No joggers, fast zombies, fat exploding zombies etc.
This is the game Im most looking forward to. The game about your death. :)