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Hearts of Oak News 4th July 2014

Armada

Sea Dog
Staff member
Administrator
Project Manager
3D Artist
Storm Modder
Logo_new3_half_300px.png

Welcome to another edition of our Hearts of Oak progress articles!

Each week*, we will bring you a summary of the latest development news, including work-in-progress screenshots and in-game footage, along with a more in-depth look at featured content.

We have a shipload of new content to share with you today (be careful how you say that), including more fantastic models of all varieties.

Engine Development
- Launcher App; @Captain Murphy

This is a sneak preview of the interface that will greet you in our upcoming playable tech demo.
We hope to share more details about the tech demo very soon, but in the meantime, here's what Captain Murphy said about this launcher:
It will work hand-in-hand with the coming features of the packager to be able to adjust the startup settings of the game by adjusting the *.cfg files before it fires the executable.
This gives us a nice clean startup appearance without making people click the sdk launcher icon.
LauncherPreview1.png


3D Models
There are several sub-categories of 3D assets to cover here, so below we'll list various types of assets, what they're called and who made them.

Architecture
- New Buildings; @Wedori

Here are two new high-detail buildings, both will full interiors and interactive doors.
Blacksmith's house:
Blacksmith1.jpg


Blacksmith2.jpg


Blacksmith3.jpg


Farmhouse:
Farmhouse1.jpg


Farmhouse2.jpg


Terrain
- Test Island progress; @RobinPC

Here's a new shot of the test island, showing a natural barrier that will keep the player from straying too far from the main playable areas.
Each rock you see has been carefully placed by hand to make the formation look organic and non-repetitive.

TestIsland1.1.jpg


If you're worried that barriers like this will restrict your freedom to explore the game's islands, rest assured that there will still be huge, interesting areas of land to traverse!
Robin has even hinted at the inclusion of Easter eggs on this island, so curious players will be rewarded...

Ships
- HMS Southampton progress; @Captain Armstrong

This ship is drawing ever-closer to completion with the addition of chainplates, shrouds and deadeyes, which form part of the masts' climbable rigging.
Other new details added include the capstan, stove, gratings, wheel, and pinrails.

Southampton1.JPG


Southampton2.JPG


Weapons
- WIP Axe render; @superdurnius

This is a render of the axe model we showcased last week, which shows off the range of materials used on both the axe and its holster.

Axe_Galva02-Rankena02.JPG


- Rapier concept art and models; superdurnius
As with last week's axe concept art, SuperDurnius has now drawn up some concepts of rapiers for the game:

Concept_Rapier.jpg


Below are some work-in-progress rapier models, demonstrating how some of the concepts are being brought to life.

Rapier1.JPG


Rapier2.JPG


Scenery
- Market Stall; @Chas

Here's a simple market stall in its early modelling stages. You'll probably see variations of the completed model scattered throughout the game's islands.

MarketStall1.png


Vacancies
We still have a few high-priority vacancies that need to be filled to help us make further progress on the game.
Since several of these roles remain largely empty or in need of more hands on deck, we're now including more details about each role and how it fits into the big picture.
To view the vacancies, click the button below. As a reminder, all of these developer roles are NON-PAID positions.

Character Modellers
We need people capable of modelling and animating character models for use in the latest CryEngine build.
Currently we have no dedicated artists in this role, yet it's probably the most crucial one to fill at this point.

You will be expected to carry out the engine export process yourself, or to learn how to do it yourself.
Familiarity with the engine is desirable, but not necessary if you're willing to learn your way around it.
You will not be expected to produce concept art for these characters, but you are welcome to do so.

If you're not a character modeller but know someone who is, please do tell them about our project!

Other 3D Artists
As well as the above, we need artists capable of creating a wide range of other assets for the game.
Such assets include, but are not limited to:
- Ships (these are highly complex models that require skill and dedication to make)
- Buildings (including full interior)
- Weapons (such as melee weapons, pistols, and cannons)
- Scenery props (smaller assets that are easier to make and will help populate the game world)

You will be expected to produce the 3D models and UV maps only, and use textures provided by the team.
If relevant textures do not exist, you may make them yourself or ask a 2D artist to do it for you.
It is highly desirable for you to handle the export process yourself, or to learn how to do it yourself.
We can offer help and advice concerning your chosen asset(s), as well as written tutorials on proper model set-up for engine export.

User Interface Developers
We need artists willing to help design and produce a working GUI and HUD for the game.

You will be expected to know how to design a working interface with a suitable program, and it is desirable for you to be capable of importing it into the engine.
You will not be expected to produce concept art for the interfaces, but you are welcome to do so.

Texture/Shader Artists
We need artists willing to support our 3D modellers by producing high-quality textures and/or materials for their assets.

You will be expected to know what kinds of textures to produce (including diffuse, specular, normal map etc.) and/or how to create realistic materials in the engine.
You will not be expected to produce UV maps for the 3D assets, as they should be provided by the modeller (unless you choose to make them in cooperation with a modeller).

Engine Programmers/Scripters
We need people capable of working with our development team to help produce core game systems.

You will be expected to have a knowledge of the relevant programming languages, and preferably an understanding of how to work with the engine.
If you are unfamiliar with the engine, you must be willing to learn how to work with it yourself.
You will not be expected to design the game systems yourself. We will provide details of what needs doing and when it needs doing.

To apply to join the team, please head over to our Recruitment Forum and introduce yourself.
No formal qualifications are needed; you just need some free time and enthusiasm, though experience is desirable.
If you know someone else that might be able to help, please point them in our direction!

In Other News...
- T-shirts

Do you wish you had an awesome Hearts of Oak t-shirt? Of course you do!

08ATtpd.jpg


Unfortunately, this shirt designed by @Thagarr is currently a one-off, so you can't have one.
It is, however, extremely cool. If you happen to see Thagarr wearing this shirt out in the wild, be sure to give him a high-five!

- Happy Independence Day to our American devs and fans!

That's it for this week's progress; we'll have more updates for you soon!
Don't know what the Hearts of Oak project is? Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
*Please note that while we're aiming to post a new article each week, we can't always manage this, but we will post articles as regularly as we can!
 
@Captain Murphy, That menu is awesome, simple and effective! :type1

@Wedori, Those buildings are awesome mate, fantastic work! :cheers

@RobinPC, Well, I suppose there has to be some barriers ...:wp But at least they look as awesome as the rest of the island! :onya

@Captain Armstrong, All I can say is... :woot

@superdurnius, Mate, that axe is fantastic! I absolutely love the nicked and scratched blade! :thumbs1

@Chas, Nice start on the market stalls mate, looking forward to seeing the finished version! :onya

@Everyone, I am wearing that shirt right now, btw! :dance
 
Absolutely epic stuff once more. I really am very much looking forward to seeing where we can take this project! :woot
 
I would help with the missing modeling areas if I could but currently I have no skills. I am learning so if I happen to figure everything out in about a year or two and we still don't have them then I would like to go for that. I am also taking a few classes based on art and animation next year. That may help. So if I get the skill, I would like to help out in the areas we need.
 
You can develop your skill by making models right now. Just start with simple ones and work your way up.
We're here to help there as well. :cheers
 
We will certainly still need modellers for some time to come, the Caribbean is a big place. After we are done with that, there is still the rest of the world to conquer as well!
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Blender should be fine, if you're comfortable with it.
 
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