CGI night elf stuns European forums
by Elizabeth Wachowski 
May 4th 2007 at 11:11AM
The uncanny valley is a longtime hypothesis about human reaction to robots and computer-generated images. The basic gist is that people like robots/CGI figures that aren't made to imitate humans --- thus the cartoonish style of WoW. We notice the humanlike characteristics of the non-humans and empathize with them. But as the robots get closer and closer to looking like humans, we become strongly repulsed and tend to notice the small things that set them apart from real people. Eventually, though, someday someone will make a figure that looks exactly like a human, and the uncanny valley will disappear.
And it looks like we're pretty close to that point, at least going by the CGSociety article going around the European WoW Forums. If it weren't for the step-by-step tutorial, I would have sworn that this picture of a night elf -- made by artist Max Kor for a Blizzard fan art competition -- was of an actual woman in night elf makeup. The eyes, which are usually the big thing that catches people in CG, look totally normal. Forumgoers are also pretty impressed; Megg of Scarshield Legion says, "In 15 years, that's what WoW4 will look like."
What do you think about this art?
Filed under: Night Elves, Fan stuff
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jenet May 4th 2007 11:17AM
Holy. Crap.
BoBoTheChimp May 4th 2007 11:19AM
If only the elf in World of Whorecraft looked like that ;)
Not that I've seen it...
tallguy59 May 4th 2007 11:24AM
I'm dubious about ultrarealism in general. I believe it's excellent for artists who go down that route, since getting something to be so damn realistic is exceedingly difficult, but I'm of the opinion that WoW's 'cartoony' style is one of its major charms - it has such a consistent, boisterous art style throughout.
This is possibly the prime reason why WoW's graphics have aged so well over the past couple years since it was first released. The cartoony nature of it makes it easier for one to ignore flaws and take things as they are intended. One particular comparison is with Oblivion - it's obvious that oblivion has better graphics, but because the graphics are so good, little things stand out more, detract from the view, and make the whole thing look horrible.
Then again, I'm not as niggled by graphics as other people may be. What do you guys think?
Tumples May 4th 2007 11:22AM
That looks amazing, please post the new ones when they come out, I want to see an undead
dirty May 4th 2007 11:28AM
That's freaking amazing. Oh, you just wait it's gonna be judgement day soon enough...
"And I for one welcome our new robot overlords."
Mel May 4th 2007 11:33AM
I like the cartoony style of WoW. The moment I'll run across a photorealistic undead I'll first start to puke out last week's breakfast and then quit the game in disgust. *bleargh*
Rudi May 4th 2007 11:42AM
It kind of freaks me out. I prefer my games cartoon-y.
Blackhorn May 4th 2007 11:43AM
It sure is a nice piece of CG. Problem is, it looks like a woman cosplaying as a night elf. Or a cheap Sci-Fi channel night elf.
Truth be told, Night Elf woman are kinda ugly if the in-game faces are any indication, and they certainly don't have "totally normal eyes". It would have actually been easier for him to make a true-to-spec night elf than this woman dressed as one.
Falgorn May 4th 2007 11:49AM
To me it looks like a real person with make up and some digital airbrushing.
It saddens me that works like this, done by someone that is immensly talented, will generally go unnoticed by the conventional art world, while all the while, abstract self applauding crap is being sold for millions.
Really inspiring to see what the future might hold for gaming. Though computers may one day be able to draw this kind of imagry at speeds high enough to render fluid frames per second, it still requires talented artists to come up with the images in the first place.
Hoof May 4th 2007 11:53AM
WOW thats scary how real she looks.
Like really scary, I could list numerous ways that sort of realism could be exploited outside of gaming community.
Heymish May 4th 2007 11:55AM
Think she's into Gnomes?
The Cannabis Connoisseur May 4th 2007 12:41PM
SPLOOGE!!
Scruffy May 4th 2007 12:11PM
A Draenei chick is next, uh, right?
twh May 4th 2007 12:18PM
Before I noticed the title, I was all like, "Wow. Nice costume ya got there." Then we find out that it's all CG...
...wow.
Katie May 4th 2007 12:27PM
That's what gets me. In this artists original post on the CG talk forums, he specifically states that he had an old female cg head model lying around.
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=425228
He saw Blizzard's art contest and while he couldn't apply, made the artwork anyway. He didn't even make the original face based off of a night elf.
Don't get me wrong, the artwork is spectacular. But I agree with Blackhorn. He's trying to pull the woman off as an official night elf, and they look nothing like that. Humans are human, night elves are night elves...they have different bodily structures entirely. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for other WoW art from the artist.
If you want to check out some actually intended WoW art, go to the CG Society forums at cgtalk.com
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=121&t=472964
Theserene May 4th 2007 12:25PM
Now that is some truly stunning computer work.
But for the game? Errr....nahh. Frankly the idea of seeing a photorealistic version of one of the Undercity guardians doesn't appeal much.
Especially during valentines week when they have little hearts above them.
Franchi May 4th 2007 12:27PM
Now THAT'S an epic um, well, you get my idea...
wasteofaces May 4th 2007 12:51PM
Why did the artist have to use CG if it's just a still? A talented painter could do just as well.
It's creepy to see a NE look so "human". I would think that an artist would have a better imagination than that - an elf should look different. Have a thinner face. Higher cheekbones, stranger eyes - SOMETHING. This looks like some fanchick all dressed up for cosplay. Creeps me out. Wow is fun because it has a fun, unique graphic style, which doesn't try to approximate reality. If I wanted to look at people like this I'd go to Dragoncon or something.
BradM May 4th 2007 12:55PM
Brilliant! That picture is quite a creation.
I'm glad you mentioned the Uncanny Valley, it's a topic which isn't touched on enough, I think.
The Uncanny Valley is a concept which we can use to look at games like WOW and say some interesting things.
A few months ago, I looked specifically about WOW's graphic design scheme as compared to EQ2. While EQ2 is technically superior, WOW's characters are more pleasant and enjoyable to look at. I postulate that Everquest 2 characters may fall into the Uncanny Valley, where as WOW characters come before that valley.
http://www.conquestgames.net/2006/02/22/game-design-the-uncanny-valley/
It generated some interesting comments as well from some smart folks. Check it out if you're interested!
Finnicks Daerkhiv May 4th 2007 1:44PM
Three words:
Zoh. Muh. Gud. (z0MG!)