Keywords: real, working flow, my conflict
©Namco Limited
After ‘Seven’ was finished, I was invited to a project from other department for supporting them; it was ‘Moto GP 2’and I was involved in the background-graphic team. ‘Moto GP 2’ was a real-oriented race game using the same title as real motorcycle race. So the stuff at first went around the world race courses and survey them to achieve the race’s reality. Courses-making flow was very sound and divided into ‘run-off area’ which was from road to fence and motorcycles can ride, outside ground of the run-off area, buildings, walls and signs, and people and other small objects to increase efficiency. In my case, as I was a supporting stuff, I did all the part making two courses with a junior stuff. They used unpopular Softimage tools, such as Softimage’s ‘Tag2Path’ or ‘Shrinkwrap’ for making courses and original tools for adjusting Texture UV; they lots of tools.
Further, the project had a web page the called data center. And designers who wanted to check their data could convert them by original plug-in into converted Playstation 2 data individually without bothering programmers. After converting, each member then got the convert report via e-mail and the data information, such as user (who converted it), image ( with transparent), data sizes (individual / total data size of a course), number of colors, and even error information, was able to check on the data center. This system later became common system in the company, but at that time it was surprisingly revolutionary.
Also, replay camera’s movement was as if human operating, representation of drips on the shield of helmet on rainy days were beautifully finished by the power of programmers.
Thus, the project had much concern with flow or system and accurate schedule accomplished by sound flow and efficient use of tools. I had never experienced before. Motor sports has season, so the product needed to be on sale fitting to the season. Graphic works needs much time, but the time is limited. In the project, I sometimes felt some kind of businesslike thought for graphics. Honestly I felt I wish we could have additional time to refine graphics, but it must have meant the project would miss a good time to sell. Project producer said, “I don’t like to use the words ‘our works’, but ‘our product’. If you really thought the best way for the product, I think, you would not have felt the conflict which you should choose; quality? or time? However, you don’t need to give up quality. Then, you can consider about more efficient flow to realize what you want.”
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