Every once in a while, we all have to step back and look at the big picture; to see what lies beyond us, where we truly belong, what we really are….and, sometimes, we just need to know where to slap down a city. Today’s update is going to look at how we do one of those things, and it’s not the first three. That’s right, today, Mars is talking about map-making.

Waltz on over to the NCFC booth!

It’s a delicate process to compile a concept art update, mainly because 99 percent of everything I do is strictly confidential. The concepts are meant for games, not for hype. It’s kind of frustrating in that manner, as all the really cool stuff that I’d love to show off has to be kept under wraps until the game’s release. Still, I think concept art is an interesting subject, and I’m sure none of you would object to more goodies- even if it’s just a taste of what’s to come.

In trying to come up with a way to spoil you all without spoiling you all, I have decided on 4 images to show off just three of the many types of concept art it’s my job to produce.

First up (and probably why I was hired) are character/animal sketches. I employ a number of methods to bring them to life, sometimes digitally or traditionally (as you see here). With the number of NPCs in this game, most are born from either graphite or ink to quickly produce a number of variations, while major characters receive more of a special treatment. There are pages of attempts at some of these guys in my sketchbooks that the rest of the team doesn’t even see, as I work out the best options for myself. The more I’m happy with a design, the more time I will spend envisioning the environment and even other characters that would surround them. In the end, I try and narrow it down to a couple of choices to inspire the pixel artists to do an even better job.

This one is a bit of an extension of character design, but it works on a more practical level in terms of concept to sprite. In the case of enemy art, I suggest the pose said baddie would take when we enter battle, trying to be as direct as possible for what will appear on the screen. By working with flat colors, I can create a clear palette for our sprite guys to work with. That saves them one step so they can focus on other time consuming things, such as quality craftsmanship and animation.

World concepts are just that- rough ideas that illustrate how the land might look. They are largely impressionistic, made more to inspire than to define. While they certainly escape the top-down aesthetic of the final product, a large number of these for a single area can do wonders in tying everything together. If you can imagine how a town looks from all dimensions, then illustrating it from a constant perspective should be a cinch.

Basically, my job as a concept artist is to be able to draw anything that someone imagines, whether they have a full picture of what they want in their mind or not. I’ve done and will do many more maps, storyboards, events, items, bosses, vehicles, character studies, mock-ups you name it. Every piece calls for something different than the last, and I’m constantly learning and raising my own standards. Add that to the fact that I’m working for crazy people making the sequel to my favorite game and you can say I have a pretty sweet gig.

Even if they don’t pay me.

-Mars

Now that my goofy intro is out of the way, it’s time for more fan submissions! This time around we’ve got a bit of everything! Some jams from VdGamer, some lovely pictures of Chase from Mothergamemaser and rib78, some enemy concepts from scytheholder, MegalucasmodelML, and rib78. We’ve also got some nice area-type concepts from Fandangox and MalixDexide. And last but certainly not least, some excellent NPC dialogue from steinmitz. Keep up the wonderful work everybody!

Alien Battle – By VdGamer

I have high hope for this song. I tried to keep an Earthbound feel to it. Tell me what you think and use it however you would like.

Bass Battle – By VdGamer

I’m not sure what battle scenarios await but I hope this helps.

Desert Battle – By VdGamer

We all know our hero would be in trouble without awesome music to fight to.

Zombie Battle – By VdGamer

Can you think of a mother game without Zombies? Neither can I. I tried to give this one a dark feeling to it.

Chase vs. A snake – By Mothergamemaster

After a fearsome battle with a snake…

Fan art – By rib78

Just a little picture of Chase I drew in my spare time.

Drug Store, Mother 3 Style – By Fandangox

This one of the many Mother 3 “styled@ Earthbound locations I had been doing for a demo. I actually finished most of the city, but the file size was to big to submit…

Bakery and Burger Shop – By Fandangox

Its now the turn of the Burger Shop and the Bakery. This are kept mostly simplistic to avoid changing much detail with the original Earthbound ones.

Alpha Mail – By scytheholder

Basically a giant envelope with Alpha on it

Evil Lampshade – By scytheholder

I didn’t really think of a name for this thing, but it’s an evil lamp-monster-thing.

Mad Hammer – By scytheholder

Another lack of humor name… If I had more jokes to turn into monsters, it would be funnier… I think… WiddaHamma!

Memory Room – By MalixDexide

An idea for a Memory Room that is unlocked after completion of the game. Disks are found at random locations

Weather Conditions – By MalixDexide

Idea for weather conditions for Mother 4

Enemy ideas – By MegalucasmodelML

This are writen Ideas I made about one boss and
one enemy

Enemy:Giant Clock – By rib78

an enemy I thought of for later on in the game. I think it is quite cool.

Susie – By rib78

an idea for a temporery party member

Shooting the Breeze with NPC’s – By steinmitz

NPC text

And that’s a wrap! Thanks for your submissions everyone.

So like the SUBMITRON said, there are just too many submissions for one update! (I guess I’ve been slacking or something!) So, here’s the first round – the fan music. Some really nice stuff here MarioFan3, sailfish and zoroztheg4mer! Keep up the excellent work!

Closing Of The Final Road – By MarioFan3

I guess this song could go anywhere.
Speed it up, slow it down, do whatever you want with this song, just give credit if used

A New Way To Go. – By MarioFan3

I feel this could be used in a main hub area, like a city that’s in the centre of everything.
Speed it up, slow it down, do whatever you want with this song, just give credit if used.

Travelers Guile – By MarioFan3

This song would suite well in a highway system similar to Mother3, it has that “get moving” feel to it.
Speed it up, slow it down, do whatever you want with this song, just give credit if used

The Ages Are With You – By MarioFan3

This song would probably fit in one of the last areas in the game.
Speed it up, slow it down, do whatever you want with this song, just give credit if used

melody – By Sailfish

The melodies from the mother games are meant to be so simple that children could play them. It’s kind of what I was going for, but I didn’t get it right. Maybe it will give you an idea or two?

Mother 4 – Music – Fan Submission 1 – By zoroztheg4mer

This is a sample of my little piece that i wrote
Hopefully you’ll want my help on the game, i will work very hard if you so would like my help =)

Thanks !

Mother 4 – Music – Fan Submission 2 – By zoroztheg4mer

Uploading some samples here

Mother 4 – Music – Fan Submission 3 – By zoroztheg4mer

Another sample

Mother 4 – Music – Fan Submission 4 – By zoroztheg4mer

Last submission for today

Mother 4 – Music – Fan Submission 5 – By zoroztheg4mer

Title screenish tune

And that’s a wrap for today. Keep on sending ‘em in!

In today’s fan submissions feature, we’ve got some sick beats from 2Sang, J-MACHine, and Neojock. We’ve also got some excellent artwork from Sorakokiri and MalixDexide. And to top it off, we’ve got some enemy and game mechanic concepts from CalixJumi, Cheesiest, Gamepopper, MalixDexide, and Masamune.

Wintery Tune – By 2Sang

Kinda light and mysterious

City Tune – By 2Sang

A nice tune that sounds nice.

Funky Music – By 2Sang

It’s hard to describe it. I don’t know where you could use this piece, but I figure it wouldn’t hurt to submit it. Hope you like it.

Middle Age Melody – By 2Sang

I actually think I did a good job with this tune. It’s short, but it’s smooth and relaxing music.

PK Fire Sound Effect – By 2Sang

If you need sound effects, I’m you’re guy. It might be cool for each level of pk move in addition to each type of move have a unique sound.

Backhoe Battle – By 2Sang

I saw the screenshot of the backhoe and said to myself, “I MUST make music for this!”. It’s kind of intense and deep.

Ragtime Conclusion – By 2Sang

It basically is like an instrumental way of saying, “Voila!” That would be cool, a town or a character that was from another decade completely…

Arcade Theme – By 2Sang

This piece in 3 words: funky, techno, Arcade.
It’s a little different than Eartbound or Mother 3′s arcade.

Intense Battle/Bring on the Heat – By 2Sang

This is TENSE music, it’s crazy with suspense. You’ll sweat just listening to it…well…maybe not, but it’s still awesome!

Robotic Wonder/Robot Battle – By 2Sang

I think this sounds like one of the themes in Mother 3.

Cool, Calm, and Collected – By 2Sang

Elevator music I guess. It’s relaxing.

Weird Alien Encounter – By 2Sang

Mysterious with a beat.

Impossible Odds – By J-MACHine

And… WHEN was the last time i uploaded anything? I forget. School’s been killing me, and i’ve been busy composing for EB3.

Speaking of which, the song i am acctually uploading today is something … [More]

Cold area music/ mysterious music – By Neojock

I made a song that would play in some icy region or in a mysterious cave. Also kinda sounds like some sorta ship fulla fog and junk. Enjoy.

Monster Illustrations – By MalixDexide

Illustrations of 2 monsters.

1) Holo-Ghost | 2) Holo-Phantom

Drawn on paper and colored on Paint.NET

Chase’s Family – By sorakokiri

Ideas I had in mind for his brother, mom, dad, and maybe a pet (totally based on King the dog, from Mother 2)

Battle mixFeature Suggestions – By CalixJumi

Battle related suggestions mixing something of the features released lately.

Certain Ideas – By Cheesiest

Nothing much.

Boss/Enemy Idea – Robotic Arm – By gamepopper

An idea for a boss or an enemy the players can encounter if they have to walk around a factory or a warehouse. I have an image I drew of it but I doubt it would be good enough “if” it was used (since … [More]

Monster Suggestions – By MalixDexide

3 monster suggestions including a boss/miniboss

1) Morning Star
2) HoloGhost
3) HoloPhantom

Monster Suggestions 2 – By MalixDexide

5 more monsters! Making a total of 8!

1)Angry Shopkeeper
2)Gumball Machine
3)Analog Alarm Clock
4)Digital Alarm Clock
5)Psychotic Fridge

PK Gaming – By Masamune

A PSI spell known as ‘PK Gaming’, used only by Chase.

Good work you guys, keep it up!

Keep sending them in folks! We love to see what you all can come up with.

Outside – By Sailfish

Feel free to do whatever you want with it. Keep up the good work !

“Techno Dinasaur” – By yoshirocks11

A song i made for no reason that seemed to fit well with other songs @.@ yeah

Wallpaper Draft #1 – By Douhneill

My only artistic ability is desktop wallpapers. So, I figured someone might be interested in this little thing I made over the weekend. I’ll hopefully have more by the time the game is finally release… [More]

Meryl (?) Concept Art Sheet – By sorakokiri

This was an idea I had BEFORE Meryl’s character was done, but I wanted to submit it anyays so you could use it. There’s also a Chase pic. If you need my help, you just send me an e-mail. Hope you like… [More]

Chase’s Expressions Sheet – By sorakokiri

Just some expressions

Basic Monster Suggestions – By CalixJumi

Ideas for five monsters. Pencil Stickman, Stickman, Computer, Mad Elegant Chair and Polite Elegant Table.

Irrelevant Character Suggestion – By CalixJumi

Design for short time used characters