Wonder how it was made? Now that Blazblue has officially been released in Europe, I am opening up this post with some interesting details, and of course, a youtube video of how it was done.
A while back, Neogaf was hosting a contest for Arc System Works Europe (Zen United). At the time, I wanted to create a cover piece as close to the style of the original artwork as possible, and came up with two images:
The first one was this Noel Vermillion. Rather than double-posting, check out the post on her here.
The second one was Ragna Blood Edge. Again, the post for that can be found here.
Initially, I was planning to draw several characters, and composite them together into one cohesive cover. But that idea was shot down due to some miscommunication, and the style and inspiration for the cover was revealed. So it was back to the drawing board, and I spit this cover out:
Actually, this is already a somewhat modified version of it using the final font that Zen United used for the final cover and website. But I prefer this font anyway.
This was my submission for the contest. It was up to Neogaf users to vote on their favorite. Winner got their art on the cover, and some other unspecified prizes. I haven’t gotten any prizes yet, but that doesn’t matter. There were more important things going on.
It was a landslide victory. My cover won the votes to about 2:1 from runner up, if I recall correctly. Zen United contacted me and said they loved the cover, but wanted to experiment and commission me to attempt a second piece, using Noel instead. Over the course of the new project, I had developed a very good working relationship. This was my submission to them:
Now you may have noticed already (if you’ve seen the Europe cover) that it’s quite different. I wasn’t sure whether this cover art would actually cut it as marketable cover art, but I did like the result of it. Some changes were made to make it more marketable, including color saturation, tweaking the gun to be closer to the original, changing the logos and stuff, and many more.
When the cover was announced, it seemed that the reactions were quite polar. Some people loved it, some people hated it. The neogaf community however, seemed to have felt betrayed. For good reason too, since all of them voted unanimously for the Ragna cover to begin with. A big hooplah resulted from that, and I had to basically jump in and cool it down, though it probably was only mildly effective.
Grabbed a pic of the actual box off the interwebs. It’s still blowing my mind!
In all honesty, I don’t mind. There are always haters, and people that think cover art not using official art “stinks” and it’s understandable why. I’ve seen my fair share of what I consider “bad cover art”. Just the fact that my art made it on a cover makes me happy enough. 😀
Well, if you happened to have bought the Europe release, and don’t like my cover, or like the ragna cover better, I’ve created some custom covers specifically for the Gaf Collection thread.
Here’s the Noel cover – [Playstation 3 format] [Xbox 360 format]
And here’s the Ragna cover – [Playstation 3 format] [Xbox 360 format]
Of course, this post would never be complete without a youtube video, right?
[pro-player]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkUv2QMm_vw[/pro-player]
Each minute in the video is basically one hour of work.
While I’m at it, I uploaded a new HD 720p version of my original Noel fan art:
[pro-player]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1spNyNpSgU[/pro-player]
Hope you enjoy it, because it’s not over yet!
EDIT: Woohoo! The fanart got “Most Favorited gaming video on youtube (Canada)” at #16 and the cover art video got ranked #46!
Read more!
Read more!
Oh, hey, that’s pretty awesome. o/
wow that’s great :D…..i am into drawing and photoshop but ….not that good for sure 😛
hey, I’d like to see your work! 😀 Post some on your blog when you get the chance! 🙂
Congratz! Ah well… I suppose there’s always something going on behind-the-scenes, but hey you landed the cover job and it looks great! Way to make your mark on the gaming industry 😀
There were some things that happened, but they weren’t behind the scenes, and it wasn’t pretty. You’d probably have to have lurked around neogaf to know what it was.
OMG congratz! That is really amazing. You should be so proud of yourself. That’s a huge accomplishment! You should get this framed! This is the first time I’m hearing about this game to be honest. I think I’ll get the UK version just so I can show my support. I love your art so it’s not all that surprising. I hope you’re going to celebrate. 😀
Thanks very much, Ami!
I might very well get it framed too! But first, I’ll have to receive a copy. ^^;
Thanks for the support too! I haven’t done any real celebrating, other than posting this blog post, but I suppose I should, eh? 😀
W00T!!! Once I get a ps3, I’m grabbing the UK cover instead the regular ones. Cuze your cover is SiK!!! Congratz, and your Victory has inspired me to do photoshop again
Thanks, Gunstray! You’re getting the UK edition? It’s good that you’re getting the PS3 then, so it’s region free.
You technically could just buy a local copy, and print out the cover I have provided, that way you don’t have to import. 🙂
Woah! That was your art they used? Belated congrats!!!
Admittedly, I’m not actually a fan of the art they eventually used but I absolutely love your original pics! They should have used those instead of the later ones, esp the Noel one!!!
I should be getting my UK copy very soon (tho I won’t have access to my PS3 till Tuesday evening) but at least I can brag a little about knowing who did the art!
Thanks!
Don’t worry, you’re not the only one that doesn’t like the final art that was used. ^^;
I am quite happy with the ones that I tried to make based off the original art, but I think I could have done better. It’s still missing a little something. O_o
I’m glad that you’re getting a copy of the game! 😀
Woahh.. awesome… You’re really awesome at art.. but I’m not into fighting game..
and maybe I will get the FFXIII instead or maybe Resonance of Fate/End of Eternity..
hmm.. confused
That’s cool. I like Resonance of Fate. It’s such a good game!
Congratulations!!! That is so crazy that your art is actually on the cover of a game!!! You’re practically famous now! This is so incredible, I bet you must have been jumping for joy when you first heard you won the contest? 😀
Thanks lostty! I can’t say I was jumping for joy when I won, but it was definitely a very cool thing. 😀
It’s not the first time I’ve got my name in a game, but it is the first time my art is so prominently displayed.
WOW!! That is so cool! 🙂 congrats!
Thanks Angel! 🙂
Looks pretty awesome:)
thanks, Kerobear!
Wow congrats! Thats a seriously stunning cover as well! c:
Well deserved!
Thanks Taketombo! You’ve got a good blog, btw.
THIS. IS. AWESOME! \o/
I don’t have either console so it’s a bummer for me since I’ve been hearing some buzz about Blazblue for a while now and now I want to try it. :<;
Thanks Ninjovee! You don’t have either console? Well that’s quite a bummer indeed. I have a PS3, and only got a 360 within the last year. (The 360 was free, otherwise no way would I be buying another next gen console).
They do have Blazblue in the arcades, but might be hard to find, dunno.
Congrats man! I feel happy for you too. Keep up the good work. The game has pretty good rating from gamespot. 🙂
Thanks man! They do have an interesting style that reminds me so much of Guilty Gear.
Congratulations mate! Your art deserves to be on that cover!!
Thanks Chubbybots! I never would have imagined that my art… MY *mediocre* art would be on a box cover for such an epic game.
TOO LATE NOW, RADIANT. THE PRINCESS WAS IN ANOTHER CASTLE EONS AGO.
Uh, belated congrats! Again. I suppose in the end that was a good solution; I would’ve vouched for having both cover variations, but I’m not the one making the big financial decisions :p
I think it would’ve been cooler with Ragna and Noel’s individual sigils on the back, but that’s just me. It’s plenty cool as it is.
You know radiant, who DO you main? I don’t even recall asking you anymore.
Ha ha oh you. Actually, your joke flew right over my head. ummm… I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I’M SORRY!?
I got lazy with the back covers and just decided to go with the Blazblue emblem. I suppose it’s not too hard to fix that. I do hope that you’ll be using one of the covers! 😀
I don’t recall if you’ve asked me who I main either… but maybe I did tell you? But isn’t it obvious now? 😀
Congratulations on being selected for the box art! I am in Vancouver in a few hours (to get onto a plane and fly back to Ontario) arriving at 7AM, but I guess you’re too busy to celebrate with me… but all’s good… I had fun at Sakura-con ^_^
I will party with you spiritually! ^_^
Hey cool beans! I’m glad you enjoyed Sakura-con! Post more pix! It’s too bad we couldn’t really meet up. But hey, at least you can say that you did set foot on Vancouver soil. 🙂
Looks like you got some pretty wicked loot on your trip! 😀
Why am I not surprised that you can make it? Radiant = pwnage skillz. Love your art work like always. Keep it up!!
ha ha thanks! Stay tuned! More photoshop stuff incoming! 😉
Congrats 😀
why I didn’t realized that were your drawing earlier the style so familiar >.<
Thanks! Really? I’m surprised that you recognize my style! 😀
Wow congrats.. I’m itching to play Blazblue on psp.. well.. there’s always ISOhunt to dig anytime. 😀
Oh right! Blazblue PSP is out already! I totally forgot about that!
Hi, My Blazblue has yet to arrive damn zavvi… might be here tomorrow
Loved the artwork, the Noel Speedpaint Video was very cool, I like how you kept tweaking it, makes it seem more “real” ( those perfect speed paintings are boring 😛 )
I sketch a bit and sprite, not very good but might as well link some work.. wait..
that is if you dont mind just thought you might not take to kindly to it (had that happen before), if it is ok just let me know.
on more thing I just got a Tablet and photoshop and want to do what you do only less awsome, 🙂 but when I look for info I tend to get bombarded with junk, any hints on where to start? maybe some tips :-D, I used to use photoshop for magazine advert editing at my old job so I can use the program, its technique I am lacking nothing like I thought it would be..
Well congratulations and all the best.
Thanks CGI!
I guess all the tweaks happen because I’m not good enough yet to clearly visualize what I want. I’m always floored by how good some artists are.
Hey if you wanna post some links, no problem please do! 🙂
A great place to start to hone your photoshop painting skills are places like cgarena and conceptart.org. There are plenty of masters there. Just post your work, ask for help, and plenty community members will be more than happy to assist you.
I should follow what I preach and go there more often. 😛
cgarena seemed a bit daunting, as it seems quite hard to split the 3D art from the 2d stuff, as for conceptart.org I could spend hours just browsing that place 😀 good stuff
anyhow the links : –
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/souledgeuk/lazysunday.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/souledgeuk/Swingingmushroomsmall.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/souledgeuk/eye.jpg
and an animated gif sprite I made ages back. Had more but a HDD meltdown wiped em (I originally wanted to make him for mugen, but the meltdown destroyed all motivation)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v486/souledgeuk/new-evil-ken.gif
what do you think? more practice? 😛 none of it was made in photoshop, the scanners a bit buggy to but it should give you the just of it, I have tried skeching in photoshop on the tablet, give me a day or two and I should adjust it just feels weird not looking at my hand as I draw 😉
Hey good stuff! You’re a little rough around the edges, but you do have potential to get good. I’d say keep at it, and enjoy learning how to use the tablet (because it’s HARD). Keep practicing!!
Dun care abt the haters… we all luv your art >_<
Anyway congratz.. oh boy feel like owning a poster of both ver
lol thanks Jun! 😀
Congratulations! That’s really really awesome!
I love your artworks.
Thanks Yi! I apologize that I haven’t gotten back to you yet on your email. Will do that when I get the chance! ^^;
Love it! GRATS!
Thanks lovelyduckie! ^^
Congrats!! It seems like your art is going places! Maybe I should ask you to design a banner or cover for my blog. 😀
Thanks Leon!
just letting you know i was waiting for the release of the UK version to see which cover would be better, and i bought the UK one over the japanese one because of the cover xD love it, but it was RUINED by the stupid review quote at the top of the ps3 box, i want the artwork not advertising ><
Cool! I’m glad you bought it. Well, you can always get the box art from here, since I’ve uploaded a logo-free version at full resolution. ^^
you should make a vid on how you make these vids. xD
[edited for profanity]
Thanks for ruin the cover, seriously I was about to buy this game but when I suddenly saw the cover I just leave this piece of alone and I’m dead serious! Can’t believe how they could pick this fanart. Why didn’t they pick your ragna cover instead? The actual cover is a insult to all xbox games. Create a new cover for me so I can buy this game and change the cover. Ah that I’ll buy the US or JP version. Next time put more time and effort into your fanarts…
I’d first like to say, thanks for writing. You’re not the first person to say that they don’t like the cover art, so I understand where you’re coming from.
Please do keep in mind that this isn’t fanart. I was asked to do this cover by Zen United, and it was approved by Toshimichi Mori himself. For all intents and purposes, this is official artwork.
The reason why the Ragna cover wasn’t chosen is because it looks great as an art piece, but doesn’t have enough “pop” to grab attention on the game shelves. Remember, this is considered marketing and packaging.
Zen United also felt that having a larger image of a female lead would be more attractive as well. Zen United and I worked together to achieve a cover art that they felt would be marketable and move copies.
You may be upset, but do know that there are reasons why certain things are done. It’s market research, and you’re the minority of people who dislike the cover.
I have provided a printable version of the Ragna cover already, so feel free to use that for your cover art.
I really don’t like that cover. Usually it’s the US covers that are always horrible compared to the ones in Europe but damn. The title fonts are horribly plain and I keep seeing the head of a dog when I look at Noel’s gun. I hope that when the next game comes out that they won’t do another bullshit cover contest.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so I do appreciate you telling me what you don’t like about the cover.
I agree with you on the dog head thing, because I see it too. The original gun I had was a lot more gun-like, but of course, wasn’t to spec, which is understandable why I had to change it.
I wasn’t particularly fond of the font they had chosen. (I like my more grungy one more), but it’s more visible/marketable I suppose.
The color was also changed from the original to make Noel stand out more, and make the cover appear less dark on the store shelves.
You have to understand that many of the changes that had taken place were for the purpose of making it more sellable/visible on the store shelves.
A lot of people (including myself) would have been thrilled to see the Ragna art I did for the contest be used for the cover instead, but from Zen United’s standpoint, the cover was definitely more of an art-piece, and probably wouldn’t have stood out very much on the store shelves.
You’re definitely welcome to use one of my custom covers as your cover if you don’t like the one that has been printed.
Hi dear Radiant ^^
I like your drawings very much! They are very amazing. I watched your videos, how you drew the officila European BlazBlue Calamity Trigger Cover. You have a very good color way. The airbrush makes very good effects on this pictures. The shadows harmonize with this soft and clean colors.
I’m very amazed from your art :)!
I have a question: Do you know, where the BlazBlue Contest sometimes start? I want so much to participate on one.
I always draw in the official BlazBlue-Style because it’s the only style i can master it. Naruto and the other Animes wasn’t so good at all. As i saw your Cover, i thought really it would be a very good Anime-Game and well, i very fell in love with Blazblue 🙂 I thank you so much, that you did this amazing cover! I think I had not come to this game, if you hadn’t made this incredible cover.
Hi DiliaRen! Welcome to RadiantDreamer! Thanks very much for your complements. 😀
The Blazblue contest was a one-time thing that happened early 2009 (wow, that feels like such a long time ago!) on NeoGAF. You’ll most likely be able to find that contest if you search for it in google.
It’s really encouraging to know that my artwork influenced you to buy the game! I hope you do enjoy the game just as much as you like the cover! Cheers!
I already saw it. Well, but i can still show my Art on the Bururaji-Radio. They take some Requests, so it’s allright and i think if the Release from BB3 comes, than the Japaness BlazBlue-Site will make a Contest. Maybe I’ll participate on it ^^
You’re welcome 😉 I surely do it ^^ I hope you’ll still draw so amazing Pictures and I hope you’ll have a lot of fun with it 😉