6 months to create ONE equipment set!?

[Krausus]

I think a lot of you are stuck on the one set part, its obvious that during this 6 months they make multiple armor sets at the same time, they have to make them fit 4 races with multiple genders and a range of sizes. And lol at the WoW comparison please dont compare the craptastic graphics of WoW gear to FFXIV.

[Jennestia]

I think a lot of you are stuck on the one set part, its obvious that during this 6 months they make multiple armor sets at the same time, they have to make them fit 4 races with multiple genders and a range of sizes. And lol at the WoW comparison please dont compare the craptastic graphics of WoW gear to FFXIV.

No, a lot of people are stuck in 'don't know what I'm talking about". Someone referenced TERA, they use significantly more light manipulation techniques which means doing a lot more work in the model to make sure it looks well in all kinds of light sources -- By the way, did you know it takes them months to do their armor and models as well?

What a lot of people don't get about development:

Nothing is made just prior to an update.

Seriously, if that's the case every MMORPG would have an expansion sized update bi/quarter monthly because why would they sell an expansion beyond making money? (Which in a lot of F2P MMOs, said expansions are just large updates with new areas) Honestly, whenever someone says "it's a lie" or "it's an excuse" or "x studio can do it quicker" proves they have zero idea about this industry. Ironically enough, Pixar studio whether you love em or hate em went into detail saying how it can take 2-4 years to create 1 of their animated flix and their modeling isn't the highest detailed stuff around and it would be silly to say they're amatuers, which I'm sure Viion would.

There's zero difference between modeling and sculpting for a 3D animated flick and a Video game -- The only difference is in how detailed you want your models as interactivity does nothing but manipulate models given. A set of armor taking 6 months is definitely about right as I'm sure when someone thinks of set they think of just 1 full set of armor and none of its variants. MMOs who pump out new sets of armor in "quick succession" have them done prior to the update and worked on them for quite awhile or else you'd never make a deadline.

If you say you have an expansion pack to be released in November of 2011, you damn well won't start working on it in September.

[Raze]

No, a lot of people are stuck in 'don't know what I'm talking about". Someone referenced TERA, they use significantly more light manipulation techniques which means doing a lot more work in the model to make sure it looks well in all kinds of light sources -- By the way, did you know it takes them months to do their armor and models as well?

What a lot of people don't get about development:

Nothing is made just prior to an update.

Seriously, if that's the case every MMORPG would have an expansion sized update bi/quarter monthly because why would they sell an expansion beyond making money? (Which in a lot of F2P MMOs, said expansions are just large updates with new areas) Honestly, whenever someone says "it's a lie" or "it's an excuse" or "x studio can do it quicker" proves they have zero idea about this industry. Ironically enough, Pixar studio whether you love em or hate em went into detail saying how it can take 2-4 years to create 1 of their animated flix and their modeling isn't the highest detailed stuff around and it would be silly to say they're amatuers, which I'm sure Viion would.

There's zero difference between modeling and sculpting for a 3D animated flick and a Video game -- The only difference is in how detailed you want your models as interactivity does nothing but manipulate models given. A set of armor taking 6 months is definitely about right as I'm sure when someone thinks of set they think of just 1 full set of armor and none of its variants. MMOs who pump out new sets of armor in "quick succession" have them done prior to the update and worked on them for quite awhile or else you'd never make a deadline.

If you say you have an expansion pack to be released in November of 2011, you damn well won't start working on it in September.

Jennestia I'm going to assume you're a girl because smart girls are cute ^^

Let's change the topic! How long does it take you guys to make your gear in the MMOs you make?

[Alexis_Arteme]

Try this...
1) Conceptual design ( artist sketch on paper/ hand draw ) for all races = 3 weeks
2) Model that concept design with simple wire frame/few texture for ALL RACES = 3-4 weeks
3) Detailed sculpture for 3D model for all race = 2 months
4) Texture creation and lightning = 2 Months ( can start after #3 finish for 1 month )
5) Apply armor physic and touch up = 2 months

I think it's reasonable timeframe for their design effort. I'm not sure what is the real development lifecycle for make new gear is but I'm sure for 1 things.... there are 8 races to make and that's why it take time a lot.

Try imagine above work yourself before complain....

Okay, but does it take every employee SE has to make one piece of armor, or can potentially small groups of teams work on several different pieces at once, then stagger the releases, giving the illusion of a new piece every month?

Not rocket science.

[Kajika]

For those of you who say this should be done in a month, I say put your money where your mouth is. The artist's work is the short end of the schedule. There is much to do to make this happen. It can happen much faster than 6 months if you rush it and avoid a lot of "polish", but if you are trying to do the job right, it will easily take over 3 months. You can put multiple people on the various steps though and start to crank these out much faster. Even WoW took a long time to put out new models and those were much much simpler.

For those of you that say "I am an artist and I can do it in a month", I say "show us an example and tell how long the entire thing took from start (concept) to finish (working in a game)".

Finally, why even get upset about this? How is this bothering you in-game?

[Rjain]

As someone experienced with game industry timelines for 3D modeling I can tell you that this is false.

1) Conceptual design ( artist sketch on paper/ hand draw ) for all races = 3 weeks
2) Model that concept design with simple wire frame/few texture for ALL RACES = 3-4 weeks
3) Detailed sculpture for 3D model for all race = 2 months
4) Texture creation and lightning = 2 Months ( can start after #3 finish for 1 month )
5) Apply armor physic and touch up = 2 months

Try 3-4 weeks maximum for a complete character with a set of gear. Concepts and modeling taking a month? You'd better hope those concepts are in to me by the end of the day. That is an outrageous timeline.

On the other hand, this team is like 200 people and the more people you have the more time it takes to get shit done because simply organizing who does what takes time on its own. I've seen single artists complete entire character models with textures and animation in under 3 weeks.

Either way, the above example is unreal, and the amount of time Yoshida stated is unreal. There's an error somewhere in there, either that or the "entire set of equipment" thing is mistranslated.

[miqokini]

As someone experienced with game industry timelines for 3D modeling I can tell you that this is false.



Try 3-4 weeks maximum for a complete character with a set of gear. Concepts and modeling taking a month? You'd better hope those concepts are in to me by the end of the day. That is an outrageous timeline.

On the other hand, this team is like 200 people and the more people you have the more time it takes to get shit done because simply organizing who does what takes time on its own. I've seen single artists complete entire character models with textures and animation in under 3 weeks.

Either way, the above example is unreal, and the amount of time Yoshida stated is unreal. There's an error somewhere in there, either that or the "entire set of equipment" thing is mistranslated.

Hurray! A logical post not blinded by fanboyism.

Stop making excuses for SE, guys. I love FFXIV and appreciate the work they've done, but you've gotta call the fouls when you spot them.

[Jennestia]

For those of you that say "I am an artist and I can do it in a month", I say "show us an example and tell how long the entire thing took from start (concept) to finish (working in a game)".

They won't do this because they can't, look at the other guy when he was told to prove something related towards the dungeons..he didn't hesitate to show proof lol.

[MattyWS]

They won't do this because they can't, look at the other guy when he was told to prove something related towards the dungeons..he didn't hesitate to show proof lol.

Well, I was defending SE in saying I couldn't do the same quality in the same time they can, but I can give you proof of what I do by my old portfolio atleast, if this gives my word any credit (am not allowed to show any of what I work on in studio otherwise I will be fired lol) http://mattyws.moonfruit.com/

[miqokini]

They won't do this because they can't, look at the other guy when he was told to prove something related towards the dungeons..he didn't hesitate to show proof lol.

The thing is, we know it's not just one guy doing the entire design from concept to finished product. If it was just one guy then this would be a tad more acceptable, but it's a team. A team of professionals, none-the-less.

Again, I'm going with the assumption that it was a mistranslation. They probably meant 6 months for many sets of armor, or 6 months for the time being while they focus on more important issues.

If you simply assume and accept that they meant 6 months for one armor set and that is the end-all be-all, then you are simply blinded by your loyalty.

NOTE: When I say you, I am speaking in general terms. Please don't take this the wrong way. ^^