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PlanetSide 2: Tramell Isaac out, Bill Yeatts in
PlanetSide 2 is losing one of the most public faces of its team but will be replacing him with another well-known figure from SOE. Senior Art Director Tramell Isaac announced today that he will be leaving SOE for a new opportunity. "I've had a blast working with you guys all these many months. I will certainly miss you all," he wrote. However, Isaac said that he's leaving his position in good hands, as former H1Z1 Art Director Bill Yeatts will be stepping into the role: "Bill was on the PS2 team from start to ship so he is very well versed in what is and is not PlanetSide 2. He is running the show now and he may contradict some of the 'rules' I set in the past, but that is now his prerogative." Isaac is moving over to Boss Key Productions to become that studio's art director.
How graphics will help H1Z1 set a creepy mood
Do you care a whole lot about graphical fidelity when you're running away from shooting zombies in the face with a sawed-off shotgun? Fabulous; we have just the video for you. SOE has just posted a Q&A video featuring H1Z1 Art Director Bill Yeatts, who fields player-submitted questions about the upcoming zombie-survival-sandbox's graphics. Yeatts explains how SOE chose H1Z1's art style, how that art style will evolve as early access approaches, and just how he plans to make the game look and feel really scary (obviously, a zombie plague isn't terrifying enough). Enjoy the dev spotlight below.
SOE Live 2014: H1Z1 is a full-fledged survival experience
With an event like Zombie Prom, it was hard not to notice a certain undead theme at this year's SOE Live. That's all courtesy of the studio's upcoming apocalyptic survival game H1Z1. And thanks to plenty of panels, interviews, and the keynote, we learned even more about the game: The new sandbox is so much more than a zombie shooter; it's a full fledged survival experience. There were even opportunities for fans to nab some hands-on playtime. We had the chance to mix and mingle with Producer Steve George, Senior Game Designer Jimmy Whisenhunt, Art Director Bill Yeatts, Technical Director Tom Schenck, and Game Designer Adam Clegg to discuss where H1Z1 came from, where it is going, and how far it has gotten. Delve into the new air drops, the heat and temperature systems, and so much more. We've also embedded the full keynote panel for you.
SOE developer spotlight: Bill Yeatts
SOE wants you to "Get to know a developer", and have sat Art Director and Character Lead for EverQuest II Bill Yeatts -- a.k.a. Bruinen the Insane -- in the interview chair and grilled him for the fans. We learn that his role in the art team is mostly managing and keeping the wheels greased these days, but he still gets to flex his own artistic muscle occasionally. A typical day for Yeatts could include working with his team on any of the steps involved in bringing a new asset to EQII, from concept art, to 3D models, animation, and then the final technical steps in translating the asset to the game.He may break a few hearts along the way with this question and answer: People have a misconception that when you become a video game designer or artist you play games all day. Is that ever true? No, this is software development. The product we develop just happens to be a game.However, he brings his own thoughts on the evolution of graphics technology detracting designers from remembering what makes a game fun at its core, and even has some tips for those looking to start out as an artist for a game company. Follow the link below to read everything that Yeatts has to say.
