Jak and Daxter 4: Fan Project
Jak and Daxter 4: Fan project is a game in process for fans by fans. The team, Fallen Legacy Games, is currently working with creative artists, composers, and developers to make this fan-made project (volunteer-based and non-profit) come true. As a concept artist, I’m working on several tasks such as background, prop, and character designs alongside other members. Main inspirations: “Adrenaline Safari” by Magnus Christensen, “Trolo’s Complaint (Monster Galaxy)” by Jeremy Soule, and “Heatwave” by Tremors.
Brainstorming Concepts For Babaks
I initiated a proposal to my team, with the redesign of the “Babak” lurker and expand their story. I divided it into 2 types (tall and short), including the sub-category of amputated/deformed lurkers (a challenging exploration, yet interesting concept to interact with in the future game). My early concepts consisted of deconstructing the lurker’s anatomy, since it’s a hybrid between amphibian, fish, and gorilla, to redesign it with more mature features. It took me a while to simplify the structure for pattern and familiarity, but with the help of @xenohybrida, I was able to polish the desired designs, especially the legs.
Design Variations
The feral lurkers might lack discipline and organization, but they tend to be intellectually creative when engineering and the fascination to mimic human behavior and patterns. For cooler locations the fur and mane tend to be fluffy and puffy due to cold temperatures, meanwhile, for dry environments with heavy temperatures or shedding, the fur can be short and/or straight.
Anatomy Studies (Technical Aspect)
Here I did a quick study for behavior and movement using gorillas as examples to understand. For me, it was very important to how the ligaments work and how much they could limit the body. Feral lurkers are usually slightly bent or crouching, on rare occasions they can stand up straight, but that is because they lack physical contact with humans so they mimic for short periods.
Palette Colors (Design Aspect)
The Tribes
Tribes are still composed of feral lurkers but are more organized (with a status hierarchy), disciplined, and can easily reach contact and maintain bonds with humans. Although they don’t need to mimic humans since they adopted several patterns and behaviors, there are times and even specific tribes that would never reach contact and remain hostile.
Mountain Tribe
- Their clothing has colorful patterns for visibility against blizzards.
- Some may have braids and/or puffy fur/mane.
- They wear wind instruments (wind chimes) to avoid losing or separating their groups.
- They honor the deceased ones by using their limbs or giant skulls as part of their attire.
- Their attire contains specific accessories such as spheres, marbles, shards, etc.
- Their prosthetic implants are sophisticated and less threatening compared to other tribes.
- Harmony (a combination of different musical notes played or sung together) is an essential characteristic they hold in high regard.
- They use pigments on their faces to imply status.
- Feathers, small horns, and paws are sacred ornaments.
- They have excellent grooming skills.
Jungle Tribe
- Their attire consists of a ripped small skirt and a rope.
- Their mane varies with different dreadlocks styles.
- Sharp long teeth, bones, twigs, and small creature skulls are part of their revealing attire and hairstyle.
- Mud, clay, or dark pigments and piercings are important characteristics of the face and body.
- Bongo drums are very specific instruments of importance.
- They are considered innovative with their dangerous prosthetics.
- They lack manners and have no social, hygiene, or grooming skills.
Desert Tribe
- Their attire contains leather clothing (lizard/T-Rex metal head) and ripped fabrics.
- Metalhead carcasses, giant horns, tusks, and lizard eyes are part of their accessories.
- They protect themselves with spiky stones ornaments and snail shells.
- They are considered the best hunter collectors for metals and scraps.
- They have sophisticated goggles and claw gauntlets of sorts.
- They are very creative when it comes to upgrading their ornaments, and “jewelry” with sharp and spiky surprises.
- They could use themselves as weapons (ex. projectiles)
- They love fire and explosives.
The Rejected Ones (COMING SOON)
- They are considered an outcast from their respective tribes…