The MercInc experience (Part 3)

Anthony Soto had the vision of it all. This time I had the initial enthusiasm too. Being a fan of Sci-Fi, I spent a day or two watching popular movies and taking screenshots of everything that pleased my eyes. I had the task to build a command deck!

It had to host 5-man crew (actually it wasn't very much clear if they were to be necessarily humans). One console (for the captain) had to be situated in the back, surrounded by the double ball-room like staircase. Two more solitary consoles had to be near it and slightly forward. And, finally, a double console - at the front. The sides of the room had to be made of hexagons - creepy displays that would make it feel like you're surrounded with stars and the spaceship battle is taking place right over your head. Genius!
Another awesome feature to be made was the star map. It was a 3D cube-like holographic map of stars and galaxies that was placed in a way that crew could walk right through it.
These were all the instructions I was given and the desired shape of the room - something like a bell. Everything had to be dirty, gritty, industrial, weathered... but still it had to have flashy holographic screens and console controls.

Being an architect's child was my best asset in creating the design and situation of everything on the command deck. I knew how to handle space and make it look logical and interesting in the same time.

I had much freedom with the consoles too. I only had to follow arc shape for the top and make a crazy wire mess beneath it. This was definitely the funniest thing of all! I love making complex details!

Ohhh... and the underfloor structure of the deck was funny to make too!

Anthony had already made the graphic design for the console screens. I had to make similar in style controls for the top surfaces. It was funny deciding all features a spaceship control console must have. Finally they turned out A LOT! (which was not very pretty when comparing font sizes on the two holographic surfaces.)

The part of this task I am most proud of is probably the chair. It had to be a 100% original in design and a 100% weathered.

The star map had it's own 2 particle systems just for the rendering. Later in the game development it had to be done with code only.

The sliding door turned out to be another cool feature.

(Video will be added here eventually)

End of part 3. In the next part you'll see where the command deck was to be placed.