Fallout 3 Art Test
EDIT: At the Request of Bethesda I had to take this down 
Hey everyone,
Here is an art test I submitted to work on Fallout Vegas. Unfortunately I did not get the job, But I figure I would post it up.
Specs:
1x512 Diffude
1x512 spec
1x512 normal
2,498 tris
Hey everyone,
Here is an art test I submitted to work on Fallout Vegas. Unfortunately I did not get the job, But I figure I would post it up.
Specs:
1x512 Diffude
1x512 spec
1x512 normal
2,498 tris
Replies
Good work!
skylebones - Ohhh the colored spec! I always forget something haha.
Target_Renegade - Those are things I have been thinking myself looking back on the piece.
CheeseOnToast - Texturing Is a battle I think I will always fight but thanks to all your guys work being posted, and feedback, maybe its a battle I will one day win!
Sauron - Cheers!
Same here.
Sometimes if you ask nicely, companies will let you show your art test so long as you dont mention the studio or project it is from.
Seriously, that's just mean, can't spend an extra few minutes coming up with some other art tests?
^^you really think an applicant should get paid for an art test? Having done over a dozen myself I still consider it an ego boost just to get a test from most companies. Them saying "Heres an art test, we think your work is good enough, we just want to see if you can get it done fast enough". Is quite the compliment,
Would this mean coming up with a couple extra arts tests every 2 weeks? of course, but that's how it should be, have a little respect for people.
Thought about this a little more, at what point are companies going to simply start taking the art tests tweak 'em a little bit and throw 'em in game? No one's seen 'em to cry foil... seems kinda shady to me.
That last paragraph is absolutely possible, but i think it's safe to assume this would not be a successful business model.
Try working on multiple secret projects over a few years and not being allowed to show that. 2 years. 8 hours a day, 5 days a week.
mr_ace - We will see what happens
Minotaur0 - We will see what happens
skylebones - Yeah it happens. Just means now I have to bust out a personal piece. Maybe I can do something to the same specs but with an original concept or a piece of concept art from somewhere else that isn't an art test haha
Slum - Based on the phone call, (that's right they called me early int he morning , they didn't send an e-mail lol) they want everything under wraps haha
crazyfingers - I agree with you about not being able to show it or post it in your portfolio. Personally I felt I grew quite a bit doing this test. It was a great learning tool.
However, companies are very busy. While it may seem like making a new art test would be easy, they have to tell a concept artist to stop working on art for the game and create art for a test. Doing that every couple of weeks seems expensive. I think 1 test to gauge everyone on is far more efficiant.
zerafian - haha. Maybe one day I will be able to post it up. I don't think people should be paid to do an art test. I agree with you it is a compliment just to get one. At least you arn't greeted with straight rejection! haha. There is a lot of politics that goes on as well. In todays economy things aren't always what they seem. I took a different test for a different company where I have friends at. Originally they wanted to hire 2 junior character artists. We both tested, they liked our work but they decided to hire 1 senior character artist instead. They had a really tight deadline and needed a seasoned guy with experiance. It's totally understandable. that's a decision I would probably make myself if I ran things.
Junkie_XL - I don't know if it's true but supposedly they have software that searches art forums for certain names. I post on Cgsociety, and Gameartisans as well. I really think someone from the company just saw it haha.
MoP - haha indeed.
dur23 - I think you laid it out best. Personally I really enjoyed working on this test, and I learned a lot from it. I had to use some tricks I have only seen done but never actually done myself. I have done freelance work, and I still have some things that are under NDA, and might not be able to show for a long long time.
To Everyone:
Thanks for the support and this interesting debate. I am glad I finally found a community of people that are really trying to help each other out. Hopefully I get this kind of support on future endevors. Thanks everyone!
The other bad part about making an art test too public, is you might get some artists who are completely prepared for it, possibly having completed a large portion of the test already.
Or anything else that would put a candidate in a better situation than another candidate who is unaware of what the test might be.
I will say the only thing that I think about sometimes is this. I hope I don't come off rude with this thought. It's just an internal question I ask about art tests. Sometimes I feel that art tests are not always the best way to go. You don't really get any art direction, or the guy next to your cube or deskmate telling you that you missed something because you have been staring at it too long. I think potential candidates would have a better shot if there was some way to throw some art direction in the mix, like you send it in 1/2 way and get some feedback, then if they still don't like the piece when you complete it, it means you couldn't take art direction or you still just couldn't do what needed to be done. Does anyone else agree?
Just have to move on I guess, if you can do the work already, it shouldn't be that bad to apply that knowledge into something else to produce more, but that's still time that equals money.
This confuses me. As long as you were on-time and it looked awesome why should this matter? nvidia PS filter is best for bumping small details like cracks, fabric, etc. I've never seen larger portions like straps actually look nice this way though. I'd think physically modeling the stuff out while being under budget would be more impressive and it shows through in the final product better anyway?
I totality agree with Junkie_XL comment tho, highpoly normal maps ftw.
PS: Was this that art test for a raider npc with the goggles and shield? Ive seen that one before on other forums so I dont get why it has to be deleted here if it was that one.
Yeah... uhm. That is just stupid. wtf?
Or do they prefer lazy from the get go? Lazy on your own initiative
Them asking them to take it down is obvious. Most companies have a few standard art tests, if one is posted then everyone knows that it could be one they're given and they can prepare for that, granted you want to put your best foot forward but you also don't want to get a job based something which u actually started on before the test. Best way to end up failing when they assign you a task for money.
However that being said it's still kinda a slap to the face as it was a nice piece which you can't use for your folio
Just to play devils advocate here i'll say how I feel against this..
You can get some guidance to make sure your not off base in an art test. Every company is different, but the last art test i did i had a single shot for guidance at one point to make sure i was heading in the right direction and then "we want to see what you do on your own"..
So yes, having things checked out at one point is good. but probalby only at ONE point and only for general guidance.
I know what you mean about having people around to crit on things you've been starring at, but the thing is the employer is testing you on a worst case scenario, which is smart. Worst case is that we are busy as fuck, the concept is rushed. Its black and white, its not even half rendered, a coworker is sick, your at work late on crunch.. can you hold your own? If you can pull of a test with out too much direction this helps, because even the best of game companies have more loose ends than you'd ever know until ya work there.. hehe.
Also one thing that prompted me to respond is that everything is relative. Your test is relative to the next guy, who is ALSO not getting direction and crits. This is a more even playing field and its also a better playing field when you realize taht getting input is a given. Thats a given. Both candidates WILL take crits and get input at the full time job. But whats not a given is Autonomy! Will this guy be able to perform with zero hand holding.
Its kinda like when people bitched about halo and how much they would kick ass if they only had a keyboard and mouse - as if the other players weren't using the xbox controller.. Your competitors are given the same treatment and that treatment is best for hiring somebody because it shows how somebody handles things with out a lot of help. And its easier to manage because its harder to keep an abundance of input fair/flat across all candidates.