Randomness, Craziness, and Curiosity

MaxScript AI (3DS Max)

2012-01-26T12:11:00.000-08:00

I decided to create AI in Maxscript for fun to see if I could do it.

Zelda in UDK

2012-01-05T15:24:00.000-08:00

These pics. are old, but I was messing around with the idea of remaking Kokiri Village in UDK for fun. This was more of a rough in, although I got a little detailed with it, but I did this quite fast.

I dont think I'll continue with it, more so because I'm pretty posative I lose the files somehow.... so yeah.

Main Site Updated

2010-02-14T18:01:00.000-08:00

I finally updated my website, check it out if you already haven't!

I can't wait to show the stuff I was able to work on for Halo: Reach.
I've been given the opportunity to work on some pretty awesome stuff.

More to come....

M

Halo: Reach, behind the scenes

2010-02-13T14:34:00.001-08:00

Belair Wireframe

2010-02-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

Wire

Quick Render

2010-02-04T21:39:00.001-08:00

Decided to do a quick experimental render with my Belair. I just got some of my ODST art today, and I need to re-take some of it again in-game sometime soon. I will try and update my site this weekend....

ODST has landed :)

2009-09-22T08:16:00.001-07:00

Well it's finally here with full force. I was invited to the launch party last night in Seattle, which was alot of fun.

I'm not sure if/when I will get a copy, at least from Bungie. If I don't for some reason, I will buy it and post my work finally.

More to come..

Belair

2009-09-02T22:28:00.000-07:00

Been working on this off and on for the past few weeks. Working on finishing it up now. Just need to do the interior/bottom/engine textures and it's about done.

I was struggling with the handling, but found an easy fix, so now it's pretty much good to go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWpzHygsyIo

ODST Video

2009-08-27T18:27:00.001-07:00

New video for the game I worked on, Halo 3: ODST.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid22881388001?bctid=35204562001

You can see some more stuff I did, the arched roof building, another building in the background, the overhead catwalks, and other things, benches/park sign and whatnot. My best piece hasn't been shown yet though :(

Bungie Day 7/7/09

2009-07-06T22:44:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's here again... but alas... no work for me... Sounds like there giving out Recon armor to fans or something, so kiddies will be going cwazy.

I will prob. play some Halo for a bit, but I'm going to use most of my day to practice on my new drum set. I've wanted to drum for a long time, and finally got myself a kit. It's nothing amazing, but should work well for learning on.

So anyways, that's what I will be doing tomorrow. I should probably get a practice pad from Guitar Center as well so I don't piss everyone off hitting on the snare all the time, lol.

More updates to come...

M

ODST release soon, artwork starts rolling in

2009-07-05T11:47:00.000-07:00

Well, ODST is coming out Sep. 22nd, which is pretty awesome. It's earlier than I expected, so that's a plus.

As soon as it's out, I can show some of the stuff that I worked on during production. Of course I'm not going to show it all, because alot of it was smaller things, re-using textures, and also things like AI hints that you don't see.

But, IGN has a screenshot of the halogram table that I did some work on, so I can show that I guess. I just basically did the little graphics on the table top, added some new parts to the model, like the new tether and roads, cleaned up the building Geo, the assault carrier, and some other stuff. The Art director put on the cool scan line effect after I was off contract.

So... yeah, not much else to say or show right now. I just bought a starter drum kit, which is something I've wanted to do for years. So I will be working on practicing that. The 4th was fun, didn't do a ton of stuff, just made some good food and played board games and listened to the fireworks blowing up constantly.

More updates to come....

Edit: I found some other screens with stuff I did.

This one you can kind of see a building on the left, which I completely did, as well as the suspended walkways in the background.

M

Quick Update

2009-06-28T17:41:00.001-07:00

Just figured I would make a little post about what's going on.

I started up at Bungie again as a Contract 3D Artist doing props for Halo: Reach. I joined up with 9 other guys in a separate building from the main studio. So far everything's been going great, and I really like how this project is looking already.

I really need to update my art section on my site, but I kind of have to wait, or want to wait on that until I can show my stuff from ODST this fall.

Other than that, nothing else has changed much. I have a new art director which is cool, it's nice to meet more of the Bungie team. We also have a new Associate Producer, who is a girl, which is also very nice, ha. Not too many of them around at work :(.

Update

2009-05-25T12:28:00.001-07:00

Added a tiny bit more detail, not much. Mostly just wanted to do a better render closer to what Epic Games does for their highpoly stuff. Not sure if I will do anymore on this or not.

Small project

2009-05-24T19:38:00.000-07:00

Started on this the other day just to get back into the swing of things. I may or may not do the low poly with textures, not sure yet. Spent probably 7-8 hours on this so far or something. Nothing really complex, but it was fun to do this far.

Sandbag Update

2009-04-05T17:36:00.000-07:00

I re-worked the normal on the bags, added more wrinkles/folds, and added a detail bump to the shader. I also did quite a bit of work on the diffuse, adding some darker areas where the folds lie, and also making them look more worn/dirty.

Sand Bags (1st Pass)

2009-04-05T00:06:00.000-07:00

One of my roommates requested me to make some sandbags for Unreal for a map he's making. So I made 3 differen't versions and combined them into 1 map, then rotated and adjusted them all to make this wall. I need to add more dirt/grunge on the texture yet, and do a possible spec map, as well as tweak the placement/pose of the bags.

Wagon Wheel

2009-04-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

Another quick object I did and threw into Unreal. The textures look somewhat muddy... there 1024's too.. I think partially it's from the DXT compression Unreal does, but also just the fact I could have unwrapped my lowpoly somewhat better.

I brought the highpoly into mudbox for this one and sculpted the wood grain and some other dings and marks.

Edit: I added a detail normal map to the shader, which helps alot. It at least helps to make it look higher rez and not so muddy.

New Version:

Old Version:

Balloon Update

2009-03-29T23:19:00.001-07:00

Well, I've been doing more playing around with the Unreal shader nodes, as well as doing more research and learning new techniques in Photoshop. Here is the updated model. I am probably done with this now. It was more of a test object than anything really. Now that I know more about Unreals rendering methods and just how to go about these things in general, I should be able to do something more interesting.

Artwork

2009-03-28T23:29:00.001-07:00

Did a quick little project for fun. Found a concept online somewhere and decided to do a highpoly, lowpoly, normal map bake and put into Unreal Engine 3. Might do some more work on this, but I don't know. Might move onto something more interesting and challenging.

Previous images were rendered in Unreal Engine 3.

It's been a while....

2009-01-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

Hello there,

Ya I know...it's been what... like 5 or 6 months since I've updated this thing... but no one probably looks any this anyways, haha.

But anyways, I'm not sure where to begin with this one... I guess I can start by saying Rock Band 2 is pretty freakin awesome. My roommates and I picked it up last night, and the drums are a blast. Although we need to keep the noise to a minimum because of neighbors in the apartment complex.... but we might be moving into a house in a few months, so that won't matter anything :).

Working at Bungie has been a very good experience. I've learned so much more then I thought I would have before I started there. I've changed the way I work quite drastically, and have improved in modeling and texturing more than I realize sometimes. My contract is up at the end of March, but I have been approached with the opportunity to come back on for another YEAR starting in June if I want to. So I was quite suprized by that, but I'm probably most definately going to take it.

Living in Washington has been a good experience, except for when it snows... people driving like idiots.... But I ride the bus most of the time, so it's not as bad/stressful. I've seen quite a few parts of this state, but still need to get out and see alot more.

As far as upcomming games or technology that I've been watching, I'm looking forward to Mafia 2 alot, as well as Dirt 2 and Fear 2. I've been playing the Skate 2 demo recently and have had quite fun with it, but idk if I want to pick it up anytime soon... It lost it's appeal after a bit for the first one, so it might be a no.

But anyways, that's about all I have for now... and I'll try to update this thing a little more often.. even though like I said before, no one probably reads it.

Long time no update

2008-08-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a long time since I posted anything and figured I would give an update. Although I don't know if anyone reads this. But anyways, living in Washington has been going well. I like it out here quite a bit. But it's been hot lately and our apartment doesn't have airconditioning, so that part sucks.

Work has been going good, and I've made some pretty cool shit so far. Some days are better than others, but overall it's been a very good experience so far. I'm not really sure if they are going to want to keep me or can, but time will tell I guess. I unfortunately haven't been doing any artwork though outside of work, which I really need to change. But I don't see one of my roomates during the week, so we do things on the weekend. I am gone for over 12 hours each day, Monday-Friday, so when I get home at 8:30 at night I just eat and want to relax. I haven't been playing at on of games lately either, which I need to change.

But all in all it's going well so far, but I feel I'm starting to get into a grind and need to mix things up.

First day of work

2008-06-30T20:49:00.001-07:00

Well today I had my first day at work at Bungie. When I stepped through the doors into the actual studio area, it was really something you have to see for yourself. It's not anything really rediculous, but you feel really lucky/fortunate to be able to do it. But I didn't do a ton of stuff yet, mostly learning the basics of the pipeline and met some cool people. It was a pretty long day after riding the buses and working, about 12 hours or so. But I am looking forward to starting on some real work and will see where that goes.

In Washington

2008-06-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

Well I am here in Washington now. I have been here since Monday, but have been on my own now for 2 days. My 2 roomates should be here in a couple weeks.. hopefully.. but as of now it's just me. I still am learning the area and need to setup a bus schedule to get to work and back.

Ive been feeling ill or wierd the last couple days, Tuesday probably the worst with a stomach ache, and now yesterday and today kind of weak or off balance or something. Not sure what's up, but hopefully will be feeling 100% again soon... Otherwise not sure what I will do. I think it's more so just being here alone and having to do a million things that it's overwhelming me a little. But I should be able to get through it fine.

I am meeting someone today to do paperwork for my contract, and then start the job on Monday. But hopefully by then I will have a bus pass and everything figured out and tested so I know how long it will take to get there. Either that or I will have to take a cab.

Hulk post is a bust, Leaving tomorrow

2008-06-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

Ok well, I guess I take back my last post. It was explained that the person bought an older version of Hulk for PC thinking it was the new one. So I guess I can't complain too much then :P.

Well tomorrow is the big day.. I am moving to Wasghington. I am a little nervous, but probably more excited to get to work on Bungies next project. It is a really great honor and privelage to be able to do this right out of college, and I am going to work my ass off and do my best as always. I probably won't post now until I get into my new place, and will post pictures.

-Matt

Hulk for PC... wow....

2008-06-20T18:46:00.001-07:00

Someone on gameartisans posted images to the "new" hulk game on PC. I really can't even explain or do I really want to take the time to explain how "awesome" it is. Just have a look for yourself.

http://www.gameartisans.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3907

Leaving soon, last day of school, MGS4

2008-06-20T07:11:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Well yesterday was my last day of college... but it really didn't seem like it. Everyone was just acting like it was another day, and even after we left, everyone was just kind of like.... see ya?

I'm wondering if it will hit them in a week or two or they will just contiunue on with there lives and hopefully get jobs in the near future. Four of 4, maybe five will be leaving the state right away, so it will make things interesting.

I am leaving to Washington now in a few days. I am quite excited, a little nervous, and maybe a little scared. But my friends will be comming out two weeks after I start, so it will make it alot better. I guess I'm more worried about learning the public transportation and shopping and all that alone more than anything. I'm really pumped for the job though, so I'm ready go get going on that.

Yesterday at school we showed our portfolios and watched some incredibly horrible, but hilarious animations as well. Then after that a fellow classmate hooked up his new PS3 he brought in and we watched MGS4. Honestly... it's pretty meh I think. It has some nice visuals, very sharp, but some of the animation isn't very good, and I forget the name of these strider like monsters, but when you take them down, they have the most annoying cry of anything I've ever heard, and it just loops for about 5 min straight.... aaaaaaaaaah... SERIOUSLY!? But, the gameplay is kind of neat, but very unrealistic on how many guns and items you can carry at once. You can also pause the game in the middle of a fight and buy ammo... lol... I don't know.. I guess I've never been a huge MGS fan, but it's just not for me I guess. Some claim it's the only good game on PS3.. and it's thats the case... eeek. I think Little Big Planet looks like alot more fun and interesting.

Got my apartment, insane computer

2008-06-18T23:37:00.001-07:00

Well I was on the phone and running around like crazy today, but after about 5 hours I got an apartment secured, and got to talk to David Dunn at Bungie about some things for my job. So it was a good day, and I am alot more confident and excited to get to work there. I just hope the apartment turns out as good as it seems.

In other news, I can't sleep and came across this article on popular Science that is just rediculous....

http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2008-06/most-powerful-computer-earth

I hate time....

2008-06-17T22:00:00.000-07:00

Well time is really testing my patience and skills at the moment. I have to basically get an apartment picked out tomorrow and try to get as much ready to go as I can as far as payments or paperwork so that I can move in next Tuesday. My dad and I am frustrated, and I really hope I can get this all figured out, and get into a good place.

I am starting to get a little worried and I guess scared about moving away, but it is exciting. Although I know my family and some other people will be sad, and hopefully won't cause me to get too sad. I will be living alone for 2 weeks or so until my roomates drive up to the place and move in. But i will have been working 1-2 weeks before they show up, so by then I should be used to everything and hopefully will be doing fine.

I also still need to pack alot of things, like more cloths, and electronics and some hygene products, but I can't do some of that until this weekend. I am almost done with school now, only 1 more day, which is crazy. But I'm really not even paying attention to that now, because I need to concentrate on so many other things at the moment.

Fathers Day, sweet mods

2008-06-14T16:42:00.000-07:00

Well today my brother and I went to where I work and got some nice steak and crab for my dad for fathers day. We had a nice meal with my dad, step mom, brother, sister and I. I then spent a good amount of time walking around Target trying to find some new cloths and other things for when I move. I have quite a bit of work to do yet for my internship, but I should be able to get it almost all done tonight.

On a side note, I found a link to some really awesome game console mods as well as other related things, http://thehottestgadgets.com/2008/05/25-game-console-mods-00294.

New Job, moving away!

2008-06-12T10:39:00.000-07:00

Well.. after alot of waiting and wondering what I was going to do with my life, I got the job at Bungie I have recently applied for. Technically I will be working for a company called Aquent, but I will be doing work for Bungie. I will be moving from Minnesota to Washington in a couple weeks, so I am very excited and somewhat nervous and alot of other things. I need to somehow figure out where I am going to live amoung other things, and still finish up with college since I graduate next week then leave the week after.

Busy, busy, busy...

2008-06-11T22:36:00.000-07:00

Well... this week I have had alot going on. But more so this weekend. I am going to be having a little celebration tomorrow night with some old friends. My old boss is moving to Oregon for a job and I might be moving very soon as well. So we are going to be going to a local restraunt after I get off work, so that should be fun.

Then this weekend I have alot of work to do for my internship. So I will be spending alot of time 3D modeling, unwrapping and texturing things I cannot talk about. I also have a huge test on Monday for my final in Humanities I have to study for as well as will be making dinner with my brother for fathers day on Saturday. Ontop of all of that, I am going to try to squeeze in meeting some friends on Saturday night or Sunday to see the new Hulk movie, which looks badass, so hopefully that works out. I also want to see The Happening, but probably won't have time for that one. Hopefully I don't go insane after this weekend :P.

-Matt

First Blog

2008-06-08T14:28:00.000-07:00

Hi,

Well this is my first blog that I've ever done. I felt I should make this to keep track of things I come across in my life. It would also be nice I guess if I could inspire or educate people along the way. So I guess with that being said, welcome to the start of the blog and comment or do whatever that is you do.....

-Matt