Riot Art Contest 2014 - Q&A
polycounter lvl 20
Hello! If you are participating in Riot Games 2014 Art Contest presented by Polycount and have some questions in regards to the contest, please ask them here.
We will be editing your posts with answers written in blue.
As a reminder, the important dates for this contest are:
- Contest starts October 12th, 2014
- The deadline for entries is December 19th, 2014 @ 23:59 PST (GMT -7)
- Winners will be announced January 30th, 2015
This discussion has been closed.
Replies
Fixed. Thanks.
You can recreate the champion's base skin, one of the champion's other skins or design your own. Please remember that we will need to make out that the asset you create is indeed a LoL character..
You can use whatever rig you are comfortable with. There are tons of free or low cost rigs available online if you do not already have one that you are familiar with.
Well, ok for the rig, but for the model ? We need to animate a LoL champ right ? I know characters can be exctracted with unofficial tools, as i've done it myself. Not sure if it's the way to proceed for the contest.
Thanks !
The rigs that are available for free or purchase online are in essence models. Here is a great resource of Maya rigs: http://www.animationbuffet.blogspot.com/
Yes alpha maps are fine.
You can use official concept art. You are not allowed to use fan art that has already been created. This is in essence working as a team. Official or your own designs only..
thx
Like Willem mentioned: Flat lighting essentially meaning full-bright (or 'use no lights' in Maya). All AO, colored light, GI and other fancy business should be painted or baked into the diffuse. We typically use only diffuse on characters. No normal/spec/etc.
I have no idea ob this subject. Please elaborate. I didn't even know we could test our characters in LoL builds.
I usually render my lowpoly characters in CryEngine, in realtime. Is this OK ?
Thanks.
Like Willem mentioned: There are some good shots of the visual update for SR here: http://www.surrenderat20.net/p/summoners-rift-update-preview.html
What Riot is asking for is a render of your character pasted on a background image of SR (a picture of the lane, base etc) to show how your design would look in-game.
There are some good shots of the visual update for SR here: http://www.surrenderat20.net/p/summoners-rift-update-preview.html
What they are asking for is a render of your character pasted on a background image of SR (a picture of the lane, base etc) to show how your design would look in-game.
Jed: Flat lighting essentially meaning full-bright (or 'use no lights' in Maya). All AO, colored light, GI and other fancy business should be painted or baked into the diffuse. We typically use only diffuse on characters. No normal/spec/etc
Hope this helps
From the FAQ:
I am interested in multiple categories, is it possible to submit art to multiple categories?
Yeap! You can enter as many categories as you want.
Thanks
No problem. GLHF!
We are not judging the model but your animations. Doing this will give you less time to create your animations.
The Animation category does not claim any limitations of what rig or model we can use, I thought it could be fun to use new content from the contest.
I understand if this is in the borderlands of "teamwork" and thus not allowed. But then, there's plenty of teamwork on the forums via the WIP threads. I thought it could be great for some artists to get feedback on how well their model deforms while at the same time someone else could work on animation entry.
Asking this because in the final submission form, there's a line where you need to put your LoL account name.
Yes you do. Registering for a League of Legends summoner account is free. Part of the prize pool is RP. RP (Riot Points) is one of the ways to acquire new champions, skins and runes..
Thank you!
Is there any League models we can use?
No. We are not releasing LoL characters for this competition. You can use any free or paid rig out there for this competition. The quality of the model is not a factor in the animation judging.
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We are looking for stylized characters and environments for this competition. That means no normal maps and hand painted diffuse textures.
Yes alpha is allowed!
By creep den do you mean a small section of an environment that includes terrain or just some assets that would fill the environment?
It is really up to you. You can either recreate what is already in the game with a fresh coat of paint or try your hand at designing something new. For the creep den, we are looking for a few smaller pieces that show organics. A rock and bush is acceptable for this requirement.
Is this a question for character art or environment? If for character art no.
My question was about environments, sorry for not specifying. So I guess a no on characters means a yes on environments?
1) "2 unique spells", does this mean that they have to be completely new, non-existing spells?
Or is it allowed to re-design existing spells with different visuals?
Two (2) unique effects means not the same effect. For example, one can be a laser based effect while the other can be a fire explosion. You are able to create effects that are already in LoL but with your own take on it.
2) The FAQ states that we can use any software we feel comfortable with.
Does this also count for VFX? For example, can the submission be a Maya render or does it need to be implemented in a game engine (its particle editor)?
Absolutely. Have fun with it as long as you meet the requirements.
Thx
Eckxter
What da.... No normalmaps ??? I can't use dem normalmaps !?
+1
Man I have more questions in my brain than ideas about this whole thing. Can't you guys make it simpler ?? Or at least explain it in more definitive terms.
+1
I don't know if someone want to do this, but a post to summarize some important information could be great. I mean, the fact we can't use a normalmap is... a major information no?
The characters in LoL are stylized. The character must blend in with the art style found in the Summoner's Rift map. The textures have to be hand painted and stylized to fit the overall art direction of LoL. Does that answer your question?
For European participants, we won't have this issue of discrimination? or yes?
Sorry if the question is annoying.
No annoying at all Alberto. This is a global competition and we want all the prizes to be available for all winners no matter their location.
I have two questions:
1) I am also a bit confused regarding the character models in the Animation category. I understand that we may use whatever rig we want for this, but is there any info as to how to get League of Legends character models (I don't mind having to rig them) or are we not supposed to use those? Or have I missed a link to rigged League characters? (i doubt that, but just to be sure)
We would encourage that you use another rig.
2) You wrote "High resolution image(s) from a frame of your animation capturing a strong dynamic pose", is this for each of the two animations? Should the final submission be a dynamic image/frame of the cycle, then the playblasts and followed by a dynamic image/frame of the special move and the respective playblasts?
Yes. Submit two (2) images from the animations that best capture a dynamic pose.
Welcome to the community Xidon. You can update, remake or use the original design(s) found in the game. It is really up to you. Just keep in mind that we want to see good storytelling and rendering in your work.
Great questions so far. The folks at Riot will back in the office in a few hours to answer your questions. In the mean time, the sub-forums for each of the 5 disciplines are now open for new threads.
+ 11111111111....
Hell yeah. I am exactly in that category. So what'll it be ??
We completely understand that this is an important topic. I answered Alberto's question here: http://www.polycount.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2153957&postcount=24
From the FAQ:
I am interested in multiple categories, is it possible to submit art to multiple categories?
Yeap! You can enter as many categories as you want.
I really hope prerendered (like maya) won't be allowed since that would be a massive advantage over an in engine shot, even if you use the same techniques. If anything, playblasts would be closer.
- Even if we can do the entry in any software, are there any limitations on the tech? For example, I guess fluid sim is out of the question for realtime. Are we limited to particles? Meshes? etc
We are not discouraging the use of fluid simulation software however we DO encourage conveying the practical application into a game engine. For example, creating a flip-book out of an amazing fluid simulation. Always keep in mind the art direction of League of Legends.
- Should we deliver an interactive executable to show it is indeed realtime?
That is not required.
- Can we create our own custom shaders for the effect?
Absolutely.
What to deliver
Submit a render in Quicktime H264 format from the front, side and ¾ views
High resolution image(s) from a frame of your effect capturing a moment in time with the best shape language
So I don't think you need to provide an exe.
I would also assume you can create your own shaders (otherwise the UE4/udk peeps will be screwed :P)
See responses above.
I would assume the FX's would have to be in realtime (engine)
See responses above.
also you mentioned posting WIP's where is that done?
The WIPs go here: http://www.polycount.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=92
Very excited !!!!
Yes.
Sure!
I don't ask this for my own work, I'm still learning, but every artist out there sees those shady as heck "art contests" that are just an excuse to farm free labor.
None of the work from this contest will go into our game. We are not asking for the actual source files. We have to put in terms like this to protect the company.
Welcome to the community awied18. Yes, make a thread and start to post your progress. We love to see individual's process.
Or it will be judge like a team job?
Welcome to the community Nandobuga. This will be seen as working in a team. This is an individual competition. Also, you want to give yourself the most time available to create your entry and waiting for someone to finish their part would put more pressure on you.
Or it will be judge as team work?
Welcome to the community Nandobuga. This will be seen as working in a team. This is an individual competition. Also, you want to give yourself the most time available to create your entry and waiting for someone to finish their part would put more pressure on you.
I am assuming you are asking about the illustration portion of the contest. You are allowed to use traditional media. Having a piece with great dynamic anatomy, storytelling and rendering would still be eligible for winning the contest even if it is traditional.
See post above. You can use traditional media.
It should be stylized like in the game or it could be realistic.??
The assets need to match the art direction of the current illustrations and game. The art direction is stylized.
As found under the bullets under the both the character and environment categories, there are no hard limits on polycounts but efficiency is appreciated: use your best judgment and make every polygon count
The angle to use is around 55 degrees with the FOV being 40.
There are no hard limits on polycounts but efficiency is appreciated: use your best judgment and make every polygon count. Please look at screenshots of turrets and inhibitors from LoL. This will help you understand the scale of these assets.
Yes?
"There are three (3) components to this effect:
Build Up
Release
Impact"
Is this a must? What If I would want to design a effect that would require me to change order or add more of these "moments"?
This is how we will judge the effects. LoL is an eSport so this is extremely important. You only have a few moments to get off an effect in a MOBA. In more cinematic games, these types of components can be tweaked or changed.
Yes I understand that the effect needs to be clear and fast.
But is it okay if I try to make spells that are more complicated ex:
What if I made a spell that summons a portal that spawn ghosts to attack the enemy? Then the build up would look like this:
Build Up
Release
Impact
Build Up
Release 2
Impact 2
Sure.
hello, maybe i misunderstood the original question, but i thought Overmind5000 was asking if we can submit multiple entries into one category. for example, are we allowed to submit 3 illustrations into the illustration category? or is it just one per category, like one animation, one illustration, one character art?
thank you!
I apologize. Sure. If you follow all the requirements and feel you can create two (2) full entries for this contest, then please do so.
1) It only states 3000pixel wide, but what about the height ?
Does the format not matter ?
The team paints at 7000 x 4130. The format really does not matter. We are not using these images for the game. We just want it big enough so that we can see your painting ability.
2) I take it as making a new splash art for a champ or one of his existing skins.
But what about our own skin ideas ? Something that doesnt exist in the game. Is it ok to make a splash art for (example) "Zombie Jinx" ?
Yes. Have fun with the contest. As stated earlier, just make sure you can tell it is the character in question and tell a compelling story in your illustration.