Change Is Good: The Importance of Iteration Within a Character Art Pipeline

In this GDC 2014 session, artist Gavin Goulden discusses the development of Elizabeth and other characters from BioShock Infinite and BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea in the context of an asset pipeline.

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[killianekouma]

Guys stop pointing out that speakers are nervous or the presentation was boring or shit, it's not a one man show..
If you're really into game developpement you will easily get over it and just focus on the fucking content.. (wich is gold)
Imagine you had to give your "constructive critics" about the presentation face to face to that guy who's already a veteran in the industry, who's nervous now ?

[HueyTheDoctor]

I don't know where else to say it so I'll say it here: I miss the Irrational Podcast so, so much. The team over at Irrational assembled the best gaming podcast I've ever heard, in the years leading up to and immediately after the release of Bioshock Infinite. Ken Levine and his crew offered SO much insight into game development, and the interviews with film and game directors were amazing. Hardly a month goes by when I don't think about how much I wish Ken would produce another podcast just like the old Irrational one.

[Cooperal]

This lecture really renewed my appreciation for the games art direction. Shame the combat and progression came out seeming far less imaginative.

[troy]

I was blown away @ first introduction of Elizabeth in the game...Wonderful job.

[novaria]

this was fantastic! Makes you really think that it is okay to spend so much time on all the small details of your game after all.

[MiniMatthias]

I miss the character art podcast. JT Nickles and Goulden are so fun to listen to

[JeremySmith-veur]

When he says recreated in other forms of media, he doesn't mean like what you might find on the hub does he! Cause those videos are actually what inspired me to get the game, although the overwatch ones are inspiring too and I havent bought that game.

[-y]

This was awesome 👏
Thank you for inspiration
You helped me a lot 💙

[flystophe]

Unpopular opinion: iteration is good, unless it’s bioshock infinite. Not ragging on character design, which was mostly okay, but world design.

Great part of the talk was “cut work isn’t wasted work” and not being married to ideas.

[janogabor]

Honestly the "Flapture" version looked better than the finished game in my opinion. I also think it's strange that he talks about not wanting to make another Bioshock, but then why name it Bioshock? The horror element is almost entirely gone from Infinite and the tone was way too happy/ disney landish at times. The gritty feeling was gone for most of the game.

[ThumpingThromnambular]

>change is good
>picks a shittier implementation of Bioshock.

[DSRekulaar]

All these years later and nobody commented that he sounds like a discount Nic Cage?

[birdeynamnam]

I don't like how this presentation is so scripted. It makes it very unlively, and boring :/
I guess it's 'cause he's nervous though.