Project Exonaut

I can reveal the name of what I am working on.

Soon, more will be revealed.

Now back to work.

TKO - DUNCAN

Today's new Fighter, for Cartoon Network TKO!
Duncan from Total Drama Action.

Titanic Kungfubot Offensive - Starting Lineup

While I am planning a larger post that deals with "How we made Cartoon Network's TKO," I thought I would also start to show you some various bits of artwork that appear in the game at this point.

Each character has a painted pose for the "VS" screen. Something that shows the player just how cool they are, and hopefully strikes fear in their opponent's heart. Below are the paintings for the starting six characters. Each week a new character will be added to the game... which means a snarly new painting will appear as well. Yesssss...

BIG CHILL

SWAMPFIRE

KEVIN LEVIN

ZAK SATURDAY

VAN ROOK

MUNYA

So, keep hitting robots, and I promise I will put together a cool behind the scenes on the making of the game. Stay creative!

Titanic Kungfubot Offensive - BETA!

This week is a cool week for me. It's the launch of an "Open Beta" for the robot fighting game that I have been working on the last few months. The official game launch is August 17th, but until then you can help us test out some of the finest cartoon robot tech around.

Next week, I hope to start a series of posts talking a lot about the game and what it took to make it work. I have some cool concept art to show, and I will let you in on a few things that we did to make it look the way it does. There are obviously many challenges that you face when doing online multiplayer Flash games, and those limitations sometimes force you to get very creative. Sound cool? Good. For now, head on over to the link below and fight some robots.

CLICK HERE TO FIGHT SOME ROBOTS!

Keep in mind, since this is a BETA, there will be a few issues popping up here and there. Some of the graphics still need polishing, and there are a few game elements that will be tweaked. Be sure to use the feedback form below the game to send in any comments you have related to performance, or general game play. Thanks for listening, and have fun!

New Shows Launch - TONIGHT

I just wanted to mention that today is a big day for Cartoon Network. Two new shows launch!

The first show is "The Secret Saturdays" from creator Jay Stephens. It's got action. It's got cryptids. It's got gadgets AND mystical powers. And it's a cartoon. Watch it. Support the show. It airs tonight at 8:00 EST.

Then, at 9:00pm EST, there is a little show about space and robots and light sabers and Yoda and stuff. Despite the less than stellar reviews of the movie, I have to say that I just saw two episodes of the series... and it is good. Hang in there at least until Yoda shows up and I think you will be sold.

Have a good weekend.

Code of the Cryptids: Chapter 2

Hey everybody.

Today, Cartoon Network launches the second chapter to "The Secret Saturdays: Code of the Cryptids" game over on CartoonNetwork.com. In case you don't know, there is a cool new show coming out in October from creator Jay Stephens about a family of secret scientists who travel the globe tracking cryptid creatures of every shape and size. (Who wouldn't want to watch that!?) This game is a cool warm up for the show, and so far we have had a blast working on it.

One of the goals in art direction on the game, was to show a progression through the jungle. While the first level had Zack walking around just outside of the thick foliage, this second level puts him smack in the middle of a dense jungle forest. You will see some cool sights as you make your way through the level, and also get a great new ability that will make the game play even cooler.

I thought I would post a mock up of the background I did, as well as a break down of layers showing you just how deep the jungle goes. These were all drawn and painted in Painter, using a Cintiq.

So take a few minutes today and play through these new levels. And be sure to catch the premiere of the new show Friday, October 3rd! Support cryptid hunting secret scientists!

Off To Fight Robots

This weeks Drawergeeks topic is "Samurai." I wasn't going to do one due to an overbooked schedule, but as usual I fell prey to the call of the sirens. And there are certain topics you just can't stay away from. Pirates. Cowboys. Robots. Samurai. There is a magic there that must not be denied.

I also want to take this opportunity to announce a new chapter in the Vanhoozer chronicles. I have accepted the position of Art Director for Cartoon Network Game Studios. It is an amazing opportunity to join a very talented team, and not to mention work on video games based on cartoons. Does it get any better? The next few weeks will be action packed as I relocate to Atlanta, so my blogging may slow to a crawl for a while. This will be an adventure for me in many ways, and I look forward to getting started with my new team. Wish me luck!