This is the sprite sheet, or “atlas”, of Frank, the hero of The Incident. Here’s my Photoshop setup:
The ‘Nonsaveables’ layer group contains the background (with a repeating grid pattern) and labels identifying the frames. I turn this group off when saving the final PNG.
To preview animations, I drop the atlas into a little JavaScript/CSS player I built. I used to make animations in Photoshop, but it’s too slow a process.
The game contains dozens of these atlases. The biggest one includes all the falling items in one ginormous grid. There’s also an XML file which defines their positions, polygons, names, materials, etc.
Inspired by Anita Sarkeesian’s Video Game Tropes vs Women, I wanted to pitch a Zelda game where Zelda herself was the hero, rescuing a Prince Link.
Clockwork Empire is set 2,000 years after Twilight Princess, and is not a reboot, but simply another iteration in the Zelda franchise. It just so happens that in this case, Zelda is the protagonist. I’m a very big Zelda fan, and worked hard to draw from key elements in the continuity and mythos.
This concept work is meant to show that Zelda as a game protagonist can be both compelling and true to the franchise, while bringing new and dynamic game elements that go farther than being a simple gender swap.
Hope you like it!
Gerhard Human is a South African illustrator and animator, who’s developed a very nice style for himself.
If you are not familiar with his awesome work check it out here.
Photographer’s reflection in a cut-out silhouette in a window.
Photograph by Maynard Owen Williams, National Geographic
HK on Flickr.
No, I don't like you too.
