Starcraft 2: Zergling Iteratio By Boarguts Watch

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Starcraft 2: Zergling Iteration History

Zergling version one created by Rob McNaughton.

Zergling versions 2-3 created by Phill Gonzales.

Final Zergling modeled by Phill Gonzales.

Final Zergling Texture by Ted Park.

Animated by Jay Hathaway and Allen Dilling.



Start at the beginning!



Starcraft released March 31st, 1998

Starcraft: Brood War released November 30th, 1998

Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne released July 1st, 2003

World of Warcraft ships November 23rd, 2004

The Warcraft III team begins preproduction on Starcraft 2 while providing additional support to the World of Warcraft team. Around this time the initial Zergling concept developed. Art director Samwise Didier’s intention for the new Zerglings to have wings is established, as well as a more bulldog-like physique.





Zergling Version 01

Created: Wednesday, June 22, 2005

The early stages of Starcraft 2 translating to 3d are established by creating the entire multiplayer building and unit list from Starcraft 1 in 3d. The first Zergling model is developed at this time primarily as a placeholder art.



Zergling Version 02

Modified: Friday, November 03, 2006

In preparation for the announcement of Starcraft 2 at the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational in Seoul, Korea, the Zergling model is revised for the first time.

This version of the Zergling is 824 polygons, and now uses a 512 x 512 texture map.

Starcraft 2 is revealed on May 19th, 2007.



Zergling Version 03

Modified: Friday, August 17, 2007

The Zerg are revealed on March, 2008: This milestone created a significant amount of work which would feature the entire Zerg lineup which had not yet been fully revealed. The Zergling at this point didn’t match the overall direction of the rest of the Zerg race, thus prompting a third iteration of the artwork. This version very closely adhered to the original concept artwork’s proportions and visual style while benefitting from next generation normal mapping and specular highlighting.

The Zergling is now 992 polygons, and uses a 1024x1024 texture map.





Zergling Version 04

Modified: Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Slight proportional adjustments were made. Although the third version captured the concept very accurately, it also realized some of the drawbacks in the design as well. The surfaces were overall too busy, too detailed, and some physical features couldn’t be distinguished. The Zergling was made wider, the tail lengthened, and the attacking claws thickened as well. The texture map was revised, becoming less noisy and more iconic from a distance. Overall, the Zergling now met design specifications such as the proportion adjustments which made it easier to select and identify, as well as the wings being a visual indication of the Zergling’s speed upgrade. Additionally, the art was now very cohesive on a racial level for the Zerg.

The final Zergling model is 1056 polygons and uses a 1024x1024 texture map.



The end.

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Published : Nov 18, 2010