how was tf2's art designed so well?

[@1chaplain]

And this game is like 10-11 years old? The design theory was way ahead of its time, matching/surpassing even modern games

[@themartianmantis2694]

Necrons were pretty ahead of their time too ;^)

[@JonathanHilierChannel]

I only started playing it in 2016, and nobody ever told me it was released in 2007, so I just presumed it was newly released... I am mind blown.

[@josephstalin7506]

@@RH-ry8ve 2007*

[@tokestorgaard7823]

nah fam, TF2 is about 12 years turning 13 this october

[@jco_sfm]

It helps that the source engine is amazing

[@LuckyStarTF2]

Now I understand why it is so hard for me to spot enemies in other games while I don't have problems in TF2. Great, well-thought design. As a colorblind person I appreciate efforts of the design team. Thanks Shounic for your video

[@JoNarDLoLz]

Characters blending in with the environment was probably intended design choice (CS:GO, Apex Legends, Overwatch, etc.) but I really hate it. It's really amazing how I could casually play a game of TF2 and can play at a faster pace than other games where it forces me to slow down and take in the environment to find enemy players. This is one of the reason why I hate battle royales.

[@iUseDemFrapz]

Well I can understand for csgo but I don’t think that it was intended for the characters to be hard to discern or notice in most games. Ow literally displays enemy health and color because it would probably be impossible to notice them without it.

[@JoNarDLoLz]

@@iUseDemFrapz Now that I think about it, Overwatch has no business trying to blend their characters to the background lmao. I just realized it was supposed to be a class-based shooter, and seeing the models is top priority.

[@flowerpowa1827]

Unless you're a 2fort sniper.

[@the_burger]

How do you tell the difference between the RED and BLU players if you are colorblind?

[@kipptt]

TF2’s Player models are so well designed that even if you riddle them with hats and cosmetics you can still tell them apart from each other and identify them easily

[@callumstrachan4774]

This. Compared to overwatch skins where a legendary mccree standing next to some other legendary skin for S:76 at a moment's glance you're not sure what you're fighting. I don't play tf2 for 3 years and I see some thing running at me with hats I've never seen before and immediately I know it's a soldier

[@NoSoupForYouu]

@@callumstrachan4774 100% when I started playing again there were so many cosmetics that took me by surprised but never once did I not know what class was using that hat

[@Ryan-op7yd]

I think the unique animations of each class help a lot with that

[@justinwillemsen5733]

Banana suit: are you challenging me?

[@unfa00]

@@Ryan-op7yd I agree. In my opinion the character animations play a huge role in helping them be easily recognizable. Every class has a very distinct way of running around and jumping, and since players are rarely stationary, that helps you identify them when they're in motion. The way Demoman is bending down over his launcher, they way scout bends forward and swings his legs like a cartoon character, the back-bent Heavy who's balancing weight of his gun, the funky swinging soldier walk cycle...

[@valiatus6719]

tank was my favorite character, it's a shame it didn't get into TF2.

[@valiatus6719]

@@mobbdeep615 No, I mean the main battle tank.

[@RF-Ataraxia]

Well, Heavy is the closest you'll get, I guess

[@npc_blob1609]

Soldier's tank taunt?

[@paulomelettilestrade]

Does the tanks in MvM count?

[@committosterbath8833]

At least he got a new role in Left for dead

[@PyroJoe]

Hearing about how the game's character design progressed so quickly and being based off of another artist's work is super interesting. Great video man!

[@dankmemer5699]

Why I had to search comments for 5 minutes to find you

[@JeanMarc-ft6er]

Why does this only have 2 Replies lol

[@Anomen77]

Nowdays almost everything is based off another artist's work, be it consciously or unconciusly.

[@Lilly-Lilac]

@@Anomen77 that’s always been true

[@ziphy_6471]

you fell off pyro joe

[@halt1931]

Honestly, I notice this when I play ANY other shooter. It's extremely difficult to see other players against the chaotic background or whatever else is going on. They just blend in too much.

[@thryke9919]

Not even shooters, have you ever seen a big fight in league of legends? Theres so many effects in this game you sometimes cant recognise the characters (and the massive amount of skins doesn't help)

[@coobk]

@@asdifikult ive been playing lots of borderlands TWO lately and it really nails this, tho from what ive seen from one and three not so much

[@jty9631]

Maybe it's because Borderlands is made by Gearbox, which I think worked closely with Valve in the past. Maybe some of their design philosophies transferred over.

[@kitfisto2347]

SneakyCnut ofc you can? maybe youre just bad at the gamr

[@coobk]

@@asdifikult so sad it got lost in 3 again

[@guscox9651]

Wait so the thumbnail is gaben painting tf2 art using a knife with the blood of his employees on it? That's what I call well researched

[@GetDownMrPresident12]

Lmao back-chan

[@vivelespatat2670]

"My favorite class is the Spy."

[@sigmundfreud7903]

It’s actually really impressive that TF2s artstyle, gameplay, and graphics still uphold even compared to next gen titles of today. Really goes to show you sometimes simplicity is better than clutter.

[@000Mazno000]

Simplicity and *style.* TF2 has iconic, recognizable design, games like Apex and Valorant are so confused and inconsistent in their design choices, especially with their characters

[@Deunstephe]

man, i've never actually heard moby talk before - great insight into the design philosophy behind this game. people talk about tf2's artstyle a lot, and it's so iconic and well-executed i think it'll continue to be discussed for a few more years to come. i never knew about the posterization thing and wow, it is something super-smart to consider. great little video and your graphic design work never fails to please either.

[@SovietMarmalade]

mads great points TF2’s such a visually interesting game, it definitely deserves the attention it’s still getting despite being more than 10 yrs old now.

[@ManMan-tg2mw]

Oh hey, I recognize you

[@4hp_89]

I definitely feel this when going on other shooters, in apex legends I swear the characters blend into the environment and it's hard for me to see them. few games match tf2 in how easy on the eyes the design is

[@bruschetta7711]

yeah it's like guessing who's that pokemon when u play every shooter game outside of tf2 and overwatch, instead with tf2 even the voices only are recognizable

[@flytrapYTP]

With Apex Legends, it's a bit more understandable, because it has a large map and a lot of mechanics rely on steath.

[@shade4404]

@@formerlysammichu1 I thought this game was mega dead at this point

[@shade4404]

@@formerlysammichu1 I meant PVZGW2. I know that tf2 is still alive. When Overwatch came out and everyone said that this game will definitely kill tf2, I knew tf2 will eventually outlive it, as it did to many other games.

[@shade4404]

@@formerlysammichu1 While the shooter genre of PVZ was nice, I will always love more the original game. It was fun and tactic, while being very simple. I didn't love PVZ2 one bit tho, EA schemes were all over the place. I still wish for a new game of PVZ that insist of Popcap as the developer, and ONLY Popcap. What do you think, kind gentleman?

[@ShiroNyankotv]

"Team fortress 2 is a timeless masterpiece " -Lazy Purple

[@josephharrd9459]

Shiro Tagashi so we don’t care about the crappy quality of a game. We just enjoy it even if it is buggy? Edit: I’m not saying this because I hate tf2, I actually really love the game and it is so fun

[@ShiroNyankotv]

@@josephharrd9459 tf2s quality is great What did you not understand by watching this video?

[@As567na]

@@josephharrd9459 you need a new computer and new settings

[@josephharrd9459]

The Arizona Ranger I actually have a really powerful computer, so I want tf2 to have a realistic style so it doesn’t look like it was made in 1950s and so it can run properly on my computer

[@matthewstark9071]

@@josephharrd9459 It was made in 2007, hence "timeless masterpiece"

[@DEWILL]

That's actually a very well edited video! Nice touch on the points that people never think about.

[@100mana9]

Hey dewiill im here noice me

[@100mana9]

@@girthymilk yep me not you go away

[@PentaromaLMA0]

So i wasn't the only person who thought Seeing shit On Overwatch was impossible

[@aronsz]

what do you mean? I see nothing but shit in overwatch

[@xavierrodriguez2463]

@@aronsz lmfao

[@hyoroemonmeto6874]

@Penta AnimsTM Well, it is difficult seeing something that isn't in the game

[@PentaromaLMA0]

@@hyoroemonmeto6874 *wellbyeah*

[@PentaromaLMA0]

@Eric Miret wat

[@kurtberliner7049]

TF2 just has a style that is timeless because it doesn't have to be "future" sort of style, and since its set in the past that style will keep existing, even with the crazy cosmetics.

[@obymo.7321]

"An iconic character is a character that you recognize from their silhouette" -Sakata Gintoki, Gintama

[@mikayelhakobyan1653]

Man of culture

[@jackofallmasterofnone8024]

Gintaman! Gintaman!

[@JonathanHilierChannel]

This just made me think of The Witcher. Geralt definitely fits this quite ell.

[@pikachubolt2001]

I see, so this was actually wise words from sorachi A.K.A author of Gintama

[@Storse]

@@pikachubolt2001 it's basic design theory

[@august6982]

0:47 Ah yes, the 3 genders

[@Marioiscool246]

Man, Woman, Alien.

[@minaisloading]

Man,Woman,Pyro

[@elfascisto6549]

@@minaisloading Pyro is a man

[@pliniomelo6295]

@@elfascisto6549 is he?

[@elfascisto6549]

@@pliniomelo6295 yes

[@Emma-rw8yo]

Watching gameplay of Overwatch, I'd always noticed how it was really hard to tel what was going on. I'd kinda chalked it up to me just not having played it before, but I couldn't shake the feeling something was off. It's good to know that it's more the fault of the game's design

[@HyperShadic0]

For another example, the original Halo: Combat Evolved was amazing at helping to distinguish enemies from the enviroment. The environments in that game were (mostly) natural or dull colors. The textures for the enviroment were also really simple and blurry. The enemies on the other hand were brightly coloured and wore reflective and detailed armor that stuck out like a sore thumb, but made it incredibly easy to identify threats quickly. The fact that enemies exclusively use energy weaponry that emits bright and vibrant particles and that they bleed really saturated and distinctive colors of blood further helps to solidify this even further.

[@flytrapYTP]

Overwatch does compensate pretty well though. All the characters have a limited set of abilities that you can remember and predict (that goes into the playstyle itself) and they still have recognisable silhouettes.

[@boar6615]

idk about the whole OW and fortnite thing In OW they literally have outlines, bright red for enemies and light blue for allies And in fortnite, you're not meant to see people that easily, that's the point, it's a battle royale

[@boar6615]

Also, in OW silhouettes are imo just as recognisable as in TF2

[@flytrapYTP]

@@boar6615 I agree. They go about it differently, but they manage.

[@joeessig3550]

"Getting the impression of the detail is important, but not actually these small, little noodley bits." And then the bit about designing in black and whites first----lot to learn from. subbed because you find good shit and have a soothing nerd voice.

[@shounic]

hey dudes. lately i've had no time to do any editing. been super tied up with family matters. it's important stuff so i have no choice :( forgive me for being slow! thanks everyone for sticking around either way, and i hope you will continue to look forward to future videos :)

[@josephstalin6844]

You are the best

[@alexandera153]

bro i want my trip to pen island give

[@SnipingIsAGoodJobMate]

You mean the Kool kids Klub?

[@parryhotter8788]

oh my god rasist

[@Dajosar3]

In the end you just picked pictures of tf2 characters standing still by a wall and compared them to big mid fight situations in overwatch. Like your point is right but that has to be the worst way to be "impartial" when comparing

[@Nin_tony]

the problem with overwatch is that while the characters have distinctive silhouettes, the game itself is particle effect hell. used to be even worse in the beta, almost to the level of lawbreakers. Thankfully a red outline on enemies and blue chevron on allies kinda fixes this.

[@doublesystem9790]

Honestly, i don't know about how it was in beta, but i'm thankful overwatch has so many particle effects, they are all distinct and really help at recognizing what abilities are being used. The voicelines and sound effects also help a lot. It might seem like screen clutter, but it has it's gameplay purpose

[@silverdededestruction2197]

@@doublesystem9790 all of the particle effects and voicelines are helpful, but sometimes it really does feel like a Mish mash of things that you feel the need to keep track of if you wanna live. I mean, they really are helpful in determining who's shooting you, but your mind is probably trying to calculate fifty million ways for you to not die to the absolute cluster fuck going around in one screen. Only to end up dying either way.

[@nathancoffman3025]

Yeah I don’t know why he chose Overwatch as a bad example. Although TF2 will remain the king of visual ques, Overwatch isn’t far behind and it’s easy to discern things just with audio. Both of these are incomparable to the visual muddle of things like apex.

[@zig131]

In Overwatch I find myself intentionally BLOCKING my vision so I can see teammates and revealed enemies more clearly i.e. as just a team-color silhouette.

[@TaRAAASHBAGS]

You know they failed the core visual clarity when they just resort to drawing a big red "KILL" outline on the enemy

[@toemass202]

That colour saturation is such a great design choice. I'll keep that in mind for projects of my own.

[@toaster9922]

ah yes, my favourite class. *_T A N C C_*

[@Satisfyingballs420]

gender*

[@justeasygamer7989]

@@Satisfyingballs420 class*

[@gil_11]

@@justeasygamer7989 gender*

[@justeasygamer7989]

@@gil_11 class*

[@aliakeel]

@@justeasygamer7989 gender*

[@bloopboop9320]

Halo also applies some of these principles (specifically Halo 3). The spartans are almost always easy to see and identify from great distances. Also, a lot of alien designs are distinct and unique so you know exactly what to prepare for in an upcoming firefight against the covenant. I was surprised when playing games like Borderlands where it is nearly impossible to identify enemies from great distances because a lot of the enemies are very samey looking. However, it should be noted that TF2 is a game where visibility and clarity is important. In a game like Battlefield it is supposed to feel more realistic and not being able to spot enemies is what makes it tense. You walk out into an open field and see no one but then are immediately shot down. The visual design should benefit the gameplay. Not all games should follow the TF2 rules to color and lighting.

[@val9344]

after being so used to tf2 it gives me a headache sometimes just trying to figure out whats happening in other games lol

[@maryjane928-o2nn]

wow, this is amazing. i love tf2's design, and you explained the greatness of it in depth really well. many things in this video are new to me. thank you so much for making this

[@bunn6151]

wow those silhouettes are pretty neat

[@TweetTweet17]

I’ve been seeing a lot of recommended Tf2 stuff lately. I am happy and hoping for a rebirth of Tf2’s popularity.

[@jty9631]

TF2 has been and will always remain popular until the day they decide to make TF3.

[@Onimirare]

Spotlight fallacy.

[@smileydog5941]

@@Onimirare You don't understand, man. Every valve game that ends with the number 2 refuses to die.

[@thedootlord]

@@smileydog5941 vale dosent know what 3 is

[@aloedg3191]

@@smileydog5941 then they will make tf2^2 since the 2 in tf2s name is so iconic

[@itshexon]

This is what I love about valve games. They put so much thought and care into every single area of the game, that every part of it feels equally important.

[@frydog4217]

Artifact lol

[@frozby5973]

then you play cs:go and notice that without upping the saturation in nvidia panel and increasing brightness in dark areas with monitor settings on some maps enemies blend in so well it gives one team a clear advantage

[@_cd]

Your underrattion annoys me. You are literally making better videos than most big tf2 youtubers. And even with little to no time to edit, you are still posting very well polished videos. I admire you, bro.

[@bobbyferg9173]

I can't believe how spoiled we are with TF2 and visual clarity. I would often go into other games, intently staring at everything, yet still not being able to tell where anything was, even enemies right in front of me. The realistic shooters tend to be the biggest perpetrators of this as the grey dirt-colored soldiers look the same as the gray dirt environment, which is kinda the point but is frustrating from a gameplay perspective. TF2, on the other hand, allows me to understand what was going on from a single quick glance.

[@James-qn3wi]

Because masterpieces always makes the best art.

[@mikaeelshaikh2561]

Damn right.

[@jetpilot3423]

Shut up furry

[@DD-hx8td]

Ahh yes the floor here is mad of floor

[@theapplechapel]

@@jetpilot3423 I see regular old 50s style bullying is still alive and well on the internet.

[@SillyFunnyDummy]

@@jetpilot3423 bruh what is bad with being a furry? (But yeah, his pfp is weird lol)

[@SolarLight11]

I really like this video because it really helps me as an artist

[@Destro65]

Wait a minute... YOU'RE NOT THE REAL SOLARLIGHT

[@drifterduckygaming4646]

Is this the impostor from amangus?

[@farhan546]

Only in tf2 where you could have a team full of heavy and no one would be mad

[@tedwink6652]

Sometimes i managed to make everyone pick heavy, by eating sandwiches, then other people joined, and then i asked everyone in team for rush

[@farhan546]

@@tedwink6652 Make the whole team play spy and call it the French revolution

[@sandvicheatfresh]

0:25 how god created the universe

[@Bruh-pt4fo]

Ahh yes, the good ol' knife waving trick. I wonder what tier they are

[@Creighty]

Hi this is Gabe Newell, Team Fortress 2 great design I’m very proud of you. - 2007

[@cheasy4225]

I never really thought about this sort of thing before. Now that you point it out, I do notice myself having a harder time seeing characters in other games. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why it lasted as long as it did.

[@upyours7]

While you were overall correct in your statements and observations, one note i'd like to make is with the "threshhold tests". Most of the other games were tested in scenes of action with particle effects being present, while TF2's screenshots were largely just characters standing still, no particle effects, and often close up with a wall directly behind them. Again, your points were still correct, but the presentation of test materials isn't balanced.

[@BelodyEpic]

Yeah that was the one part of the video that irked me, it's not really fair to show tf2 screenshots of a single character standing in front of a white wall with a front on camera angle then compare it to an overhead shot of two full teams in the middle of a firefight

[@yesno8273]

Well i do understand where you come from, but if you were to take pictures of battles in tf2, you could still atleast make out what characters are fighting who, unlike other games which are rather “particle heavy” but then again, thats just me, maybe you think OW or fortnite has clearer vision

[@enzoaugusto1577]

Good point

[@crack4184]

@@yesno8273 You're right but the point is still that shounic did not show those action moments. TF2 has those "WTF is going on??" moments at times in battles, especially if you're new to the game. Overwatch is more particle heavy but it takes more time to get used to since the game design was not entirely made to be perfectly visible at all times and Fortnite, well, you're supposed to search and focus in your surroundings, it's a battle royale

[@frankerzed973]

I cannot stress how good this video is. It integrates the art fundamentals in a way that is really relatable and makes a lot of sense.

[@posthistoricdino422]

TF2's canonical time frame makes so much sense when matched with its art style, as it's basically straight out of itself. It feels like it just took the art of the 50s and brought it to life.

[@seronymus]

Technically the game is set early 60s but the style was in then

[@emperorfaiz]

@@seronymus Actually late 60's to early 70's lore -wise.

[@plumebrise4801]

@@emperorfaiz Yeah ,1969 ,and MVM happening in 1972

[@Nerty1458]

The “Was” in the title cannot be stressed enough.

[@kyoshia]

this is a really cool and informative video

[@flamingfossa]

Yo this video is amazing! I subscribed to you last week and I was not expecting such a high quality video essay! I also learned a lot even though I've been playing and watching videos since 2012.

[@Radi0he4d1]

Good artists borrow, great artists steal. The game is a Mona Lisa of our time.

[@junkmail103]

so not only is tf2 a great game but also a great piece of art incredible

[@brittlespy9083]

6:10 holy shit that is so clever. i would have never noticed that but at the same time i also do without knowing.

[@hannah2797]

Thank you for this amazing video. The research put into it was good too. It's awesome seeing all the thoughts behind designs and just how well made the characters are. The cool part is how much the silhouette distinction is used through multiple facets of media, such as how animation strongly relies on clear readability. This game is great with the animation as well, where you can tell who the character is and what they're thinking just by the movements and posing.

[@reiemg]

As the video went on, I started to realize how brilliant the game designers are. The interview featured really started to make me think, then how the materials in the game matched the freaking feeling of the colors. That just blew my mind, like how I never saw any of this detail. Team Fortress 2 is a game that is so simple it's incredible. I don't think any newer games could use the saturation effect done with the characters, that's just mind blowing.

[@Gibbysannxx1711]

I would like to mention, not to take away from the tf2 points, but the screen shots of other shooters are in action, mid fight screen shots, where as tf2 pictures are still shots where the mercs are standing still.

[@bruh-hr1mt]

While the comparison between TF2 and Overwatch was good, I have to say Overwatch is far from being the worst offender of visual clutter. Atleast there are outlines there. In Apex I literally could not see players when I had all graphics on low (which was a necessity for decent FPS because EA has shit optimization). No outline OR visual clarity. This kind of stuff is the reason why I can't even play competitive realistic shooters.

[@tunners]

I will say that the better clarity and visibility is party due to the rim lighting shader applied to the characters, helping them to stand out more from the environment.

[@Galaxy-zn1dr]

damn, i love jc, his art is a super big inspiration for me so hearing him being the main art inspiration for tf2 kinda left me shocked

[@bryannaing6316]

ngl the black and white sniper at 5:42 would make a really cool wallpaper.

[@kitcarson2776]

Shounic you are so good at this, keep going, even if it's not about tf2 or videogames. Make it your job Edit: Also if you could ever do one more video for b4nny with a rotten dank thumbnail, that'd be cool

[@sampletext42069]

great video, Loved how in depth you went!

[@PotatoSho_]

That's one of my biggest gripes with most modern games. The emphasis on making games pretty to appeal to a majority of people, rather than implementing elements barely noticeable elements that allow for a great gameplay experience. I wish more development teams put more thought into this. Visuals are such an important part of a game, but not in the way most people make it to be.

[@bdinaravideo]

Oh man, so many great points. Thanks for the video! I don't play tf2 but I'm fascinated by its character design. Didn't know who the art director was and now I'm running to see more from Moby Francke!

[@dashyz3293]

2:40 weaponary

[@jamesevans6332]

I haven't played TF2 in years but every time I come back to look at the visual design, it still holds up incredibly well. Moby Francke's art does absolute wonders for the game's art style and I genuinely don't think they could've chosen anybody better for the job. His art is just so good on every level

[@nathancoffman3025]

A lot of overwatch has to do more with audio game sense rather than visual. Every character has a unique sound for ability’s, ultimates, primary fire, secondary fire. Hell, once you play Overwatch enough you can tell a character just from their footsteps. Even with that said, simply putting a filter that averages colors to black or white has very little to do with how well you can visually discern characters.

[@abfal4ab]

Team Fortress 2: We have a fun and complex story, iconic characters and good design. Overwatch: haha big boobs go brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[@macksii]

I remember that one of the artists on overwatch said they care more about silhouette more than anything else but i guess the game just has too much information that it needs to tell you at once so everything just gets drowned out, although fortnite wasn't designed with pvp in mind but it was designed with pve in mind it does show how well valve made tf2 a pvp game in comparison to a pve

[@broejoe53]

Really well done video Shounic! Can’t wait to see what else you put out!

[@arthurc6974]

I'm starting to regain the love I have for this game. Surely one of the best games ever made.

[@Kmakidon92]

The amount of effort put in to tf2 is probably why the game has lasted for 11 years.

[@12q8]

The HUD in TF2 is also very simple and clear, with all you need. No extra bs.

[@fikus5903]

This is fantastic. Brings a new light into my graphic design choices, thank you.

[@MrTheil]

Good art styles NEVER age. And TF2 is proof of that.

[@linus8639]

Simplicity is what makes this game so appealing to look at. Even in the chaos of pills and bullets and unusual effects, everything is very clear and the colours work well

[@nickbraerman4124]

this is y its a hat simulator. so the design of the bodies wont be messed with.

[@marchduck2958]

How do I love the character design...It's realistic and stylish at the same time. And each one has their own personality and unique appearance....

[@GiRR007]

1:33 GOD i love the original pyro design its so much better than one we currently have

[@titanlord9267]

remember, this game was made years ago, so they had less tech, that's why there are no female characters, 1st, the time of the game, obviously, men were only allowed to fight, but memory, as in, computer memory, there wouldn't be enough and TF2 would be slow if there were more detail, and also hitbox sizes, and that would change the comp and casual meta

[@GiRR007]

@@titanlord9267 I don't really care about the gender im more referring to his upright posture and not looking so round and doppy .

[@titanlord9267]

@@GiRR007 yeah, but memory, it's an old game, so it had to be done, and then adding gibs, particles, and physics, and then the final artstyle, and also the weight of the weapon, a flamethrower would be heavy if you had to carry one

[@SGWeber]

This reminds me of Warhammer mini evolution. The old minis are all about profile and being able to tell exactly which unit is which when they’re all across a table in the middle of a game, whereas it feels like a lot of the new ones are designed to look good at “eye level” for instagram photos. Same goes for details drawing the eye to relevant areas (i.e. the upper body and weapon) which has deteriorated on some units

[@zunk9769]

Assignment: Describe what is happening in the photo. The photo: 7:03

[@helium-379]

This is actually good help for character designing and selecting color pallets in general.

[@squidguy7085]

randomly popped up in my feed, super happy it did

[@elronman]

The phong does a lot of the work for the sillouetes. Its essentially an outline. And I also don't think its level of saturation difference from the wall textures, Its more that the character models have dramatic accents of light and shadow on the models themselves. see 6:58, where the sniper's hat and glasses are easily readable, and the vest shifts from black to white. The model itself has different jumps in value. It also means no matter how you're looking at them, you'll see an accent of light or darkness. If say the background was dark you'd see the shirt and face more, if the background was bright, you see the vest more. I believe the "saturation difference" is more of an accent than gameplay mechanic. Its a common concept in art in general to have similar levels of saturation, and then deeper and lighter saturation for accents.

[@XFanmarX]

It's really odd how many so-called "high-level competitive games" are already inferior in how competitively viable it is by design. You cannot counter something you cannot see, but this is something most game developers ignore so they can make their game look as flashy and high-end as possible. Forgetting that they're making a game instead of a graphical circus.

[@Porygeist]

This is really helpful for people studying character design. Thanks for the informative and fun video, man! :)

[@EmperorPrinc3]

7:32 Vietnam vet: that's all I ever wanted, I'll I ever needed to hear.

[@damekbraxton]

Your editing is really good! You could probably make a TV series with that level of skill.

[@clayton8009]

This was super interesting! More reasons to love this game. I don't regret at all spending 2000 hours of my life in it and I plan on continuing haha Good video!

[@TheLamentedStar]

I can’t believe I binged all your videos while forgetting to subscribe! The videos you make are super high quality and you really do your research! +1

[@ghotifish1838]

well that explains why whenever im playing fortnite and overwatch, i get those "Where tf did you come from" moments

[@zeffa2761]

really love this video. interesting, and also insightful for myself as a visual artist. would like to see a video on cosmetic design theory and how that's changed over the years if you could find enough info

[@stomyed22]

0:32 false,gaben has magic knives change my mind.

[@HHHjb_]

He clearly used magic crowbars hence why he said it was false /j

[@WarioGamingReal]

One thing i like about their design is that you can clearly tell the character's hitbox.

[@Pope_Neuro]

As someone who gets visually overstimulated very easily, I seriously appreciate how simple tf2’s art style is compared to pretty much all modern FPS games. Every time I see footage of overwatch or fortnite for example, I immediately get turned off by how much is going on. In an effort to be more modern, they add all of this extra visual information that ends up just being really distracting

[@danilanazarov6965]

Here after Concord came out. Man, the difference in character design is astronomical

[@rnlansdownemobile]

It felt like Concord's design was made to appeal to Twitter by being inclusive.

[@kansiwiz]

Good video my guy.

[@strollas]

*GREAT DESIGN. IM VERY PROUD OF YOU*

[@Hchris101]

Astro is my favorite map

[@oskenso]

Ah yes! I recently got into overwatch and experienced this, got me searching for design videos. This one is perfect!

[@SageManeja]

0:20 Do this same silhoutte thing with the biggest cosmetics equipped, lets see how that holds up

[@sulee16081]

Cus engi can be as tall as soldier with cosmetics amiright

[@anduro7448]

@@sulee16081 but there are other factors, height isnt the only one

[@marshmeowlow]

ya know this actually helped out in a different game for me to understand why it was so hard for me and my friend to focus on the game with out shooting each other on accident. Borderlands 3 being a bit too saturated and in an even color shades when setting it in monochrome or in black and white shows it indeed is both ways way too bright and way too dark in the wrong places just like overwatch. thank you for that btw!

[@Azami0001]

Tf2's design choice is so much better compared to other fps games. I often find myself not seeing enemies in CSGO because they blend with the background.

[@pwnmastr]

Hearing Gaben's commentary dialogue rearranged takes me back :)Eeeeveryone used to do that

[@starryknight4690]

This video: *exists* LazyPurple: Theyre so T H I C C

[@epicxiphos8269]

That was super interesting, thank you!

[@DavidisEepy]

1:35 I want that lmg as a usable weapon

[@eyen22buck]

@@bobmcboblin tbh, it could be a good alternative to the minigun Like, you can shoot and move without sacrificing your speed while not revving it up, but comes with lower damage and firerate.

[@jonskili]

f2 is truly timeless like almost no other game i doubt it will ever completely go away