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*Death Warrant Issued* traget: ShockworkStudio_Shane reason: uploading not finished artwork.

I'm really glad that you guys like my artwork so much, but it's 3d that's crusial for the production process. We are really thankful for youe opinions, all of them are taken seriously, as you can see with the newest renders. Very soon we'll talk in more detail about Ulysses variants and accessories (yes, what you have seen so far is only 50% of the whole kit), so stay tuned.

Wait what? That concept art is nice! My point was if the sculpt matched that I'd be all over this.. that's like..the opposite of an insult. I was simply saying that the design in the 2d wasn't carried over.
The flow of lines from the top down through the legs is so much smoother in the 2d too. For the 3d it doesn't flow very well.
Anyway, re: the scaling of the guns.. Yes, that helped. The muzzle on the autocannon thing is still OTT but that minigun does look more sensible to me.
Glad you guys are open to critique, both as artists and as a compnay. Both are good signs IMO.

First post updated
Happy Halloween everyone

Hmm. Zadruga sound interesting. Will they have those lanky, Slenderman-like proportions? That'll certainly give them a unique look.

No they're human. More human than most factions in fact...
But if you like the lanky arms look you'll love UNAS.
Hopefully we'll have some renders of the Zadruga soon.

Speaking of renders...I have something for you.

Here's a piece of my concept art shoving one of the versions of Dead Winter unit with it's Bukavac (that beast). I'm not gonna lie, Zadruga is my favorite faction, and I had so much fun designing it. And at last I can show you something with them!



Of course it's not the whole page, for that you will have to wait a little more, till another update. I chose my favorite head design and torso, but there is more.



Like this head design (Shane's favorite btw.), skulpted by our 3d artist, Dario Furlan.

Our blog has been updated, there is some more information if you are interested: http://blackrainthegame.blogspot.com/2015/10/skulls-and-horns-dead-winter.html

First post updated.
New pics and info

New video of Cazador Gutierrez in first post.

I love the Zadruga antlered skull helmets. They aren't Wendigo, but I get that vibe from them (wilderness horror, savagery, cold stark bone, the inhuman chill of Winter), and I quite like it. Also possibly distant cousins of Rackham's Drunes?

I never would have expected anyone to do a sci fi miniature faction based on this aesthetic, but its one that's close to my icy heart.

If you can make the Zadruga aesthetic work in the final sculpts, and you're not going to fill out their ranks in the future with something stupid like comedic goblins or half-naked women in chainmail bikinis, you've got a future customer.

I'd be curious to know more about this world you're building. I'd like to know more about the Zadruga backstory and what their motivations are, as well as what kinds of other units they have coming. (If they're actually really nice guys behind the masks, you've ruined everything.) More monstrosities like their hounds would be very welcome. I hope you can keep their unique horror aesthetic going strong through the whole faction.

Vermonter Thanks for your comment! I'm really glad that you find Zadruga interesting, as it is the faction that I'm most proud of ;]

I think that you'll find Zadruga's Lore interesting, without any good guys behind the masks or silly pinup miniatures, don't worry.

You can read some of their Lore on our blog: http://blackrainthegame.blogspot.com/

We definitely want to build this faction with a veil of mystery and horror, so alot of their Lore will be written from the perspective of survivors, official reports, etc. We really hope that you'll find it interesting!

 ShockworkStudio_Michael wrote:
We definitely want to build this faction with a veil of mystery and horror, so alot of their Lore will be written from the perspective of survivors, official reports, etc. We really hope that you'll find it interesting!

That sounds like a very smart approach. Where this brand of horror is concerned, often the more you know, the less scary it is. The moment you get inside the head of a Wendigo and it starts using "I" to tell a story, it's not really a Wendigo story anymore.

It's a strange dance. The reader naturally sees this bizarre, terrifying thing and asks "What is that? Why is it doing this?" If the author replies, "You want to know everything? Well, I'm not going to tell you!", then the reader's response is both a frustrated "*&$(&$!!" and "Aaaah! This is so creepy! I have to read more!"

But if the author then explains too much, the story is dead in the water, not least because the explanation is generally stupid. This is the classic zombie apocalypse problem - it's compelling until they tell you why the zombies are coming back, because there's nothing you can say that makes that remotely plausible. This is why most zombie films start with the return of the Dead as an unexplained given, and why shows like the Walking Dead put off explanations for as long as they can.




Automatically Appended Next Post:
I guess this is fairly early in your design process, but do you have any ideas regarding when some of these miniatures might become available? I image Gutierrez will be first, but it's the Zadruga that capture my imagination.

I'd even be interested in just buying the helmets, if you ever decide to sell bits, though I'd prefer to get the entire models. Would your figures be comparable to Prodos Warzone's in scale, proportion, and material? That's the closest analogue I can think of when I see your designs and the Gutierrez render.

Keep up the good work!

Zadruga do look to be an interesting bunch. I really hope that you will do at least one of them though with those weird, Aeon Flux-esque lanky proportions. That would certainly add to their otherworldly, inhuman look.

 ShockworkStudio_Shane wrote:

Big Gatling


Little Gatling


thoughts?

IMHO
Looks better with the smaller gatling (I like big guns but the big one makes the other cannon look redundant).
The upper body of the walker still looks to small - and the gun arms should be closer to the body instead of sticking out in 90 degree angles.
Perhaps something like this?

We were working pretty hard on the Ulysses, we changes alot of small details here and there. I'll post a new video and images soon, so keep an eye on that;]

Barzam We have some crazy ideas for them, you should not be dissapointed

Promised new images of Ulysses here! >> http://www.beastsofwar.com/black-rain/exclusive-shockwork-studios-give-black-rain-mechs/

Those images look pretty bad-ass!

Some more images of our models here: http://tiny.pl/ggb1n !!

Updated first post with new previews

 ShockworkStudio_Shane wrote:

The Bushmaster can punch holes in the wall with its Dual Tiamat Flak Cannons for other troops to advance through, creating new tactical possibilities. Their manipulator arm allows it to operate terminals, open doors, or just punch someone in the face with the enormous strength of a mech.

I love the mental image of this dude kneeling down, just to punch someone in the face.

We were able to fix the arms in the meantime. I'll post some renders when I'll get them so you could compare it.

Want to be clear, that was genuine. I love that model as-is.

streamdragon Oh, that's nice but take a look anyway, the change isn't huge, but we think it helps. What do you think?

First Post updated with Kali Preview

Definitely some Metal Gear vibes coming from UNAS. Have you guys settled on a material for Kali yet?

So far, while I'm liking UNAS, I think the NAU are probably my favorites as far as aesthetics go. I like the ragged, survivalist look to them. If Zadruga can pull off the creepy, they'll be a very strong second. All of the designs so far have been awesome though. Keep it up.

There's definitely an MGS vibe. Hideo Kojima and Yoji Shinkawa's work is genius IMHO.
The N.A.U. are probably my favorite we've shown. I can't wait to preview the Engineering Corps probably my favorite from the N.A.U. Line up a this time.

We do have some more news up on Beast of War. http://www.beastsofwar.com/black-rain/exclusive-zhendu-shocktroopers-tactical-black-rain/

Holy moly those look awesome!

Loving the art direction. Keep on listening, all of the changes you have made so far have been improvements in my eyes (although I liked the originals too).

I don't get interested in many sci-fi settings, but your visuals have really grabbed me.

Again, the art direction is fantastic and very promising.

New Zhendu Video updated first post

Tasty, tasty infantry

There is still a KS upcoming for plastic troopers, yes? Say yes, please!

Unfortunately no.
We initially wished to create the entire line in plastic. But after tons of research checking every possible route to get into plastic production we decided that at this time it wouldn't be feasible. Honestly were too small of a company and we don't have a large enough fan base but its some point we would love to go into full plastic production for our line.

I would love to see our line in the multi-part plastic the conversion possibilities swapping between kits just the mechanized infantry in plastic alone would be incredible.

That's why your support of ShockWork Studios is so crucial in order to gain a foothold in the industry.