Developer blog #143
Community members! Our first blog of 2024 is about human models, or “humanskins”, in Call to Arms - Gates of Hell.
Our in-house skin artist (no, not a tattoo artist) is working on some new material.
Read all about what it takes and what you can expect from him in the next community update.
Also, be aware that we are on sale right now. Even Liberation comes at a discount, and the bundle has a record-high discount too! Click below:
https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/26447/Call_to_Arms__WW2/
[h2]Update[/h2]
The next community update for Call to Arms-Gates of Hell will feature a full rework of the German faction’s models to the same, if not better, standard as the U.S. models which will also be receiving an improvement to their RAM and VRAM usage.
Creating 3d characters and their equipment is a long and arduous process that requires a lot of attention to detail in very specific areas.
Since the release of Gates of Hell: Ostfront, the human models have steadily improved. This goes for models, methods, and optimization strategies.
The Liberation DLC showcased that our new methods work for the GEM engine for 3D characters, and we plan to apply it to all other factions gradually. Germany is the first target, as it is the most diverse and complex faction in terms of the number of different, unique models for their uniforms. Other nations are to follow; mind you, this will take us a long time to complete.
This marks the start of our campaign to bring the human models for all factions to the same quality level. Let’s take a look at some of the new material:
Seen here is just a taste of the deep customization the Germans (and in future updates, Soviet/Finnish) troops will have. The sheer amount of variants for every uniform is extremely vast and modular. Not only that, the RAM and VRAM consumption for these models will be under half of the current models.
Very little detail has been left un-modeled as even the straps of which gear attaches to the belt are given enough fidelity to see how they work and keep items of equipment attached to the rig.
Pictured as well is something done extensively with the USA (and now German) gear selections; gradual wear and opening of certain pouches which for whatever the soldier’s reasons have been undone. Small details like these can help add to a varying degree of looks that either modders, or our mission scripters wish to utilize.
Headwear for the Germans will be expanded as well; we will be adding more variations and detail, based on all of the different functions they had.
Not pictured here are the Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine uniforms which were unique to their factions within the German military. Rest assured they shall be covered and as such are currently in development.
All in all, will these be good additions? Let us know in the comments!
[h2]Planning[/h2]
Besides human models, there will be more in the next community update. Release has yet to be scheduled; we’ll tell you more about it in future blogs.
In the meantime, as we have mentioned before, work on the next DLC has already started. We’re not ready to announce it yet, but we will tell you as soon as possible.
So far, we are full speed ahead to fulfill our plans for 2024 and 2025. Stay tuned!
[h2]Did you know?[/h2]
- All 3d models that have to do with humans (specifically uniforms) are usually categorized as ‘humanskins’. This is not a standard name for the industry, we inherited it with the engine.
- The same artist who produces the “humanskins” is also working on new human animations!
- In GoH, the US was the first faction to be designed from the ground up to have completely modular uniforms, from their gear to their different clothing items.
