2010 The Year that was Part 1…

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The year 2010 is coming to a close and we have had some stellar games released this year.  I can’t really say if it was better than 2009, but it sure wasn’t worse.

January of 2010 started off with some major releases right after the holidays, which makes sense since there are a lot of gamers walking around with Christmas money and gift cards.

There is no correct way to describe Bayonetta.  The music is like no other game on the market.  The action is non stop and the combat is as intense as in any game you ever played.  I will admit, as for the story I was lost….lost lost lost as in Jack on the Island…yet I still played and continued to play because it was fun and looked cool.  It’s real cheap right now (20-30 bucks u.s.d.) and a great game to add to your collection.

Bayonetta

Darksiders made its debut in the gaming world and came with a nice mix of Zelda and God of War series.  The game had it’s moments of fun, frustration, repetition, and then became fun again for me near the end.  The art direction of the game (headed by Joe Mad ) was fantastic.  The story started off pretty good with a nice epic battle between Heaven, Hell, and Earth but the next 10 hours were kinda dry.  Mark Hamill’s character was kinda of annoying, fast forward to the last 4 hours of the game and the heat is on again.  If there was a way to keep the excitement of the first 2 hours and the last 4 hours of the game it would have scored higher for me…but overall if you got nothing on your gaming queue check it out!

Darksiders

For the full Article click here

Meet Living-Oxymoron!!!

Another installment from a great artist across the web who also dig games! Say hello to living-oxymoron!

Would you like to start with a brief bio about yourself?

My name’s Ted McClung, I’m 24, and I make games for Knife Edge Software currently, and am working on a graphic novel called Apocrypha in my spare time.

Full interview here!

Meet Deathbysodacan!!!

Okay.  Time for another go round with an amazing artist.  This guy’s style is very unique and stands out right away.  I love his line work and use of colors. Sit back, relax and enjoy!   His name is DeathbySodaCan or you could also call him Hugh.

How long have you known that you wanted to be an artist?

Well, lets see. I’ve always loved to draw, I knew this ever since my digits were able to manipulate and coordinate crayons across paper. It was just something I loved to do. I’d always loved watching the old school Saturday morning cartoons and I’d often (with little success) try to sketch characters off the T.V. But it wasn’t until I bought my first comic book at about the age of 10/11, I think It was a Sonic the Hedgehog comic and the artwork in that book just blew my mind and opened up a whole knew world of art for me. I knew right then and there were my passion was and what I wanted to do with my art.

To see Full interview click here!

The Last post from the Gamer who digs art…

Yes it is true….but with the death of this blog comes life anew.  New site.  New features and more importantly new art!

The blog has been a blast…but when it’s time to move on its time…

Come visit us at Link to continue the stories and adventures of more gamers who dig art!  Thanks for all the support for those who left comments!

Third contest results: Villains

September’s contest was titled Villains.  It was simple, open and easy to do. Illustrate a villain from any video game past or present, win a free game call it a day. I won’t say who illustrated each entry this time, I will simply post the entries. I will announce the winner on Friday 10/3/2008. Thanks to all who entered! 

No explanation really needed here. Everyone in gaming knows this villainous family from the mario universe. Not to be confused with Bowser Jr, this is the Koopa Family! 

This is a Glukkon from the Oddworld universe. 

-Click here to read more about Glukkons

Glukkons are the ruthless, heartless capitalists that are the management of the Magog Cartel, the achetypal industrial family with a stronghold on Mudos.

This is Vodka Drunkenski from the old school game Super punch out (not to be confused with punch out and Mike Tyson’s punch out!) 

 

This is the Earth Knight – Gaius – Terrestris Veritas – Mammal guardian 2 from Shadow of  the Colossus! What a great game! 

There you have it! I will announce the winning illustration on Friday! The winner will receive free game of their choice!

 

October’s Contest (since halloween is approaching) is to draw, paint, vector, or simply “Art” a monster/creature from a video game. It could be any video game, but the creepier the better. Monsters and creatures could range from anyone like the Nemesis in Resident Evil, the Locust or really any villain from Gears of War, to a character from Devil may Cry. (also Ninja Gaiden had some crazy monsters/creatures in there!)  

So the theme is monsters/creatures and the creepier the better! Hope to see some more entries! Think about it…November has some really cool games coming out! Who here wouldn’t want Gears of War 2 or Left 4 Dead for Free?  What about Fable 2????

Third Contest deadline approaching…

Alrighty! Been a long time since the last post.  (Been kinda busy playing games….) but just wanted to say the deadline to the third contest titled Villains will be do September 30.  Win yourself a Free Game! 

Illustrate a villain from any video game…plain and simple! 

Looking forward to the entries!  Oh yeah, my 360 started it’s own blog!  

http://www.360voice.com/tag/dreno360

Second Contest Results…

Hello! Thanks to all who have participated in last month’s contest and I hope more will enter this month’s contest. I mean it is a Free game on the line after all…I would participate if it wasn’t my own contest! 

Once again the contest was titled VS. Two characters from two different games in battle with one another! 

Ok on with the entries.  

This is an illustration from last month’s contest winner entry SangheiliArtist.  

Here we have Samus Aran from Metroid going against good ‘ol Master Chief from the Halo Series. This would be a good battle!  

Click me to see the battle unfold!

The Second entry was from GarfunkelTheApostle.

In this illustration we have Cloud from the ever popular Final Fantasy VII versus Bowyer. Who the heck is Bowyer? He was a boss in Super Mario RPG from the SNES (back in the day!!!) Talk about two unlikely characters meeting up! 

The third entry was from the being known as Kalel06.  Some say he was raised on a farm in Kansas by Martha and Jonathan Kent. I don’t know, but he does live in Metropolis! 

In the left corner weighing in at about 98 pounds we have the beautiful, but deadly Nariko from Heavenly Sword!  In the right corner, starting the ring on fire, weighing in at 235 pounds is Kratos from the God of War series. Let’s get it on! Ding! Ding! Ding!

The fourth entry was from Anasazinyx.

Here we have a spore creature from the game Spore VS Ragnaros from World of Warcraft. My money is on the Spore creature. Watch out for the little guys!  Hey four small ghostbusters took down the Giant Stay Puft Marsh Mellow Man!  

The fifth contestant was from the talented greenbeanbaby.

Here are two characters that look like they are having more fun together than actually battling!!!  I guess some people love fighting! We have Toadette from the Mario Universe and a character from Little Big Planet on the PS3!  

The last illustration submitted didn’t quite follow all the guidelines.  It was one character from a Video game…and the other character…from well who knows. It can’t be considered for the contest but I wanted to show it anyways! Remember read the rules! It could cost you a game! Thanks Eric for the piece! 

From the crazy mind of the digitalsnowmen.

We have a Mutant Pug Named Shiela vs a ODST Soldier from Halo 3. So bizarre, strange, yet I can’t stop looking at it!

Thanks to all who have made a submission to the second contest! Well who wins??

I will let the you guys and gals help me to decide! One vote per email is allowed. Voting closes Friday 9/5/2008 11:59 pm. When leaving a comment simply say who are voting for! Remember Pug vs ODST can’t count! (Sorry digitalsnowmen!)  I will make the final decision, but hearing from others will help! 

Moving on to this month’s Contest! 

September’s Contest is called Villains! Draw, paint, sketch, vector, or illustrate your favorite villain from any video game past or present! Due September 30th!

WIN A FREE GAME!!!

  

YES ANY GAME!!!***

Today is the deadline to win a free game for the month of August.  Any game (***60.00 base price max) The Rules of the contest were quite simple…  Titled VS you had to draw two characters from two DIfferent games in Battle with each other…  Simple…Very simple…Win Yourself a game!!  Submissions accepted until 12:00am Central Stand Time Today!  Look for September’s Contest to be announce tomorrow! 

Just send a Jpeg or Gif to Gamersdigart@yahoo.com! 

 

Win yourself a FREE GAME!!! 

Meet liquidology!!! aka Christian Lichtner!!!

Yes, the guy coloring Ulitmates with pencils by Joe Madureira.

Well let me start this post by saying a HUGE thanks goes out to Christian Lichtner for taking time out of his busy day to be interviewed…this interview was Very cool to say the least.  If you were a fan of comics in the past 10-12 years you could not know who this guy is.  Back in 1996 he partnered with Aron LUSEN.

Together they formed the dynamic duo of Liquid! and changed the way comics were created.  It is one thing to be pretty good at what you do…but to change the way things happened in any industry is pretty jaw dropping!

Well that was the past, the present is here, and the future is Now.  Christian works mainly in the Gaming industry still busting smooth and breathtaking images alongside with Joe Madureira.  He and Joe are now crushing all that come in their path (my words not his!) with their work in comics and video games. What game you ask? Darksiders: Wrath of War.

 

Ok, now on to the interview!  I tried my best not to show any fanboyism in this thing, but you know things happen…

Questions by me Answers and Great artwork by Joe Mad and Christian Lichtner

“First could you do a brief introduction about yourself…I know people know who liquid! is and what they did…but what about who you are and how you plan to take over the world!”

For the record, liquid was started by Aron, and myself a few years back, but after doing it for a while I was starting to look for something new I wanted to do. So for the last few years, I’ve been working in games, and I can’t think of another business I’d rather be in. So at some point, hopefully I’ll be able to work on my own games!!

How did you break into the world of comics?

I got some really positive feedback on some random colored pieces I did, and as soon as I submitted them to publishers, I got some offers. Keep in mind, that I tried getting work as a penciler for some time before that with limited success… (ie. no success) 

Do you and Joe (Joe Mad) communicate with each other regarding final illustrations or are you guys just in sync by now of what to do. I know you and Joe have been working together for a while now. How does this relationship differ from working with other artist? 

Joe is really easy going, so when we tend to talk we seem to talk more about catching up then what colors things should be. Then again, we’ve worked together for some time now, so I generally have a fairly good idea what he likes and what he doesn’t. That said, I do love talking to the artists I work with, because I feel the more I know about your thinking process the closer I think I can come to doing a decent job. In the end, all I care about is making sure the artist I work with is happy.

Many artist don’t realize the difficulties (and pressure) of being a top quality artist in professional comics. (Pressure from getting paid to do art!! What pressure right!?!) What are some of the things that could “attack” an artist and hurt their career? (art fatigue, boredom, laziness, etc…) 

All of the above! I think first off, you should really only do work that you’re excited about and that you’re happy doing. If it feels like ‘work’, then you probably should be doing something else. That’s not to say that you won’t have days where it’s ‘work’, but overall you should be excited about some aspect of the work. Most importantly understand your clients needs, and try to make sure they are met to the best of your abilities. 

Any tips for an aspiring colorist/artist?

The more you do it, the better you get. I think Adam Hughes just mentioned that there’s no way you won’t be better after doing your 10,000th drawing versus your 100th. But my best advice would be to make sure you draw inspiration from all over… don’t just look at comics… it’s a small field. 

What systems do you own and what games are you currently playing? And what is your Favorite Game Ever. 

PS2 and XBX360. Because I work in games I get to play almost every system there is at the studio. I am a huge Wii fan, but I have more fun playing it with people than just at home, so there’s no need to own it.  PS3 is still too expensive, and not worth getting just for MGS4… so it’s gonna have to wait.

Favorite game ever… hmmmm… there’s a few, but I think Jak1, MGS1/MGS2, Team Fortress, Shadow of the Colossus, Counter-Strike, Final Fantasy XII, more recently Gears of War, and COD4… figures… not really ‘one’… thing is, each one of those was epic for me when it first came out… and even as I am typing this, I’m thinking of a bunch of other ones that I should put down… 

So for the record…you are mostly in the gaming industry at this point? with Joe Mad right? And you still have time to do comics?

I took a break for personal reasons — so as of this moment I am doing contract work, but there’s a really good chance that will change shortly.

Well you have the dream job of every man growing up in the 80’s….working with video games and comics…Talking to someone in the field is really getting my creative juices going…I will have to put together some serious work and persue the dream…we’ll meet one day…I promise you that! 

Thanks for everything! 

There’s no reason you can’t do the same – trust me. You just have to decide how badly you want to work in either comics or games… that’s really the only difference.    

The guys I know that are most successful, draw every minute of their waking lives… I have friends that concept at work for 8 hours, get home, eat dinner, and draw for another 4-5 until they fall asleep… on weekend, they draw… so keep in mind, if you’re not that committed, then you’re up against guys that are… 

There we go.  It was a complete blast interviewing this guy!  One thing that stands out apart from the talent is how humble he is.  This guy always responds to comments on his stuff and he always gives good advice.  So even if he wasn’t all famous to uber talented…he would be a cool person to be around which is cool! 

Well that is it.  Hope you guys liked it, I know I did.  Here is his official site! Liquidology²   Check it out if you haven’t already, and BUY his stuff, because it is that good! He is also on Deviant art as liquidology.

Thanks again Christian it was a blast! 

Meet lukedenby!!!

Another installment of meeting another artist on the internet who dig games! 

This artist has some amazing stuff in his gallery! lukedenby click the name and check it out! 

Like I have stated in previous post…these artist being interviewed have some serious talent and a love of video games past and present! I have either met them through deviant art, xbox live, or some other weird connection!  Well let’s get it crackin’. 

Questions by me.  *All fantastic artwork by the talented and patient Lukedenby! 

Lukedenby, please give us a brief introduction about yourself.

My name is Luke Denby. I am 26 years old and currently living in Portland Oregon with my wife Corianne. I went to school for Graphic Design and Painting at Indiana University. I once almost choked on a lifesaver candy.

 

Whoa…gotta watch those candies…

 

You are a fantastic traditional artist as well as digital one. Do you see traditional art (acrylic, watercolor, oils, pencils) dying out in the wave of these amazing new programs like photoshop/painter or can they be fused together to create a better understanding of each other? (long winded I know but man you have a sweet traditional gallery!) 

I don’t think traditional mediums will ever die. The prevalence of digital art no doubt will only grow as this and future generations age but the tangible aspect of traditional mediums will always trump them. But as technology continues to grow eventually you could make an amazing digital piece and have it print out with actual paint just as easy as we use an ink jet today. Even though these days my work is leaning much more toward the digital side of the spectrum I would like to think my heart is in the traditional world but the ease and speed of the digital world is amazingly tempting. Ideally I would do digital works as a springboard for finished traditional pieces.

 

Fan of the 80’s are we? Name something (tv shows, cartoons, movies) that 2008 can’t touch that was common place during the 80’s.

Everything I say is through nostalgia tinted glasses on this topic. Although many shows were just big commercials like a great deal of this generation of television there seemed to be a lot less pandering to the kids back then. To answer this honestly I would have to be a kid today. I think part of it is also those 80’s pop icons are so iconic now but that can be true of anything that stands the test of time. Maybe in some dystopian future Bratz dolls will be given the same regard as Jem.

  

I still say Voltron Whomps!  Original Transformers Whomps! GI Joe Whomps! And they all beat down the stuff that airs today! …sorry about that…feeling that old school feeling again! 

What video game systems do you currently own? Game you are playing now.

Xbox 360, Wii, Dreamcast, PS2, and Nintendo DS. Although I mainly play my 360 and Wii currently I can’t get rid of the Dreamcast because it still has some amazing games. I’m currently enjoying GTA IV, been a fan of the series since the first one on the PS1 Plus I’m messing around with Wii Fit. That seems to be how I mainly use my systems. 360 for more serious fun and the Wii for some silliness. I’m also looking forward to the new Animal Crossing, Resident Evil 5, and Gears of War 2.

You need to click me because I am full of detail! 

Yeah…still got my dreamcast too…and my wife really wants a DS…

How long have you been a gamer? How long have you been an artist? 

I have been a gamer ever since I got my Super Nintendo for Christmas in I think 1994, so 14 years. Before that I was incredibly envious of all the kids who had a NES and I was limited to my Amiga computer (which was part of the reason I enjoy digital art) One time I even told my mom I felt I was depraved because I didn’t have a Nintendo. She looked at me shocked, that’s when I learned the difference between the word depraved and deprived. I have been into art as long as I can remember though, so 26 years on that front.

Sorry had to throws these guys in!! We love halo around here! 

Has there been a game where it’s art direction made you want it?

I think a greater influence has been the art direction making me not want a game. I’m a big fan of Gears of War but it’s art style is just too heavy for me, it took some time playing the game before I could enjoy the great gameplay. 

  

Where do you think the future of gaming is headed? (Multiplayer/ online/ sequels/etc.) Are you happy with the games of today compared to a decade ago.

Community in games seems to be getting pushed more and more. While online seems to be the main area I hope the time of sitting on a couch with your buddies isn’t forgotten. One thing I hope is a future trend in more user created content. Like the forge in Halo 3 and what looks to be awesome in Little Big Planet. I hope consoles start playing with this more. I love games were you can make the game your own (was a huge fan of the RPG Makers on PS and Magic Pengel along with the level editor in the Timesplitter games).

Best game ever??? 

An impossible question but I may have to go with Guardian Heroes by Treasure on the Sega Saturn. Not a game I would really call high Art (a good example of me almost not getting a game because of the art is the American version of the cover) but it was amazingly fun. It was a mix of a Fatal Fury’s multiple fighting planes, a cool side scrolling beat ’em up, and RPG progression and leveling. Also it had an amazing 6 player fighting mode where you could use any character you had killed in the main game. So you could play as one of the different last bosses (it had multiple paths and endings) vs. a team of scrawny villagers and rabbits. I would love if this came out on the Wii Virtual Console.

Thanks Luke for the great interview and sharing your rockin’ awesome work with us! 

Don’t forget to see check out his gallery lukedenby!