Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment
Art
- New character models retain the iconic features, but refine them as necessary. The models also have a more consistent style.
- Undead have bones sticking out, but they don't look great. The new version refined it. (They unveiled the progress on the Undead Male model)
- The team looked at the existing model and decided what they wanted to maintain and what needed to be exaggerated.
- They went 956 to 5,408 polygons on the Gnomes. 130 to 196 bones. Texture resolution was 2 to 5x higher depending on the area of the body.
- The old Dwarf male has 1,160 polygons and was mirrored on both sides. The new model is 7,821 polygons and has higher texture resolutions. The face doesn't have to be symmetrical anymore.
- Dwarf female is underway and has a basic model.
- Tauren male is also underway and has a basic model done.
- Facial hair is animated using bones.
- Capes are now animated using bones to flow more naturally.
- Gnome female pigtails are now animated.
- Concept art helps to determine the feel of the zone, while Zone maps help to determine what is taking place in each part of the zone.
- Vertex shading is used to make things look much nicer without having to create even more new textures.
- Lighting is also a big part of adding atmosphere to zones.
- The Iron Horde make several different tanks, but not a unique mailbox.
- When it rains, the NPC working on trade skills will go inside and get out of the rain.
- There are 572 candle models in game, with 42 belonging to the Kobolds.
- Worgen and Goblin won't be getting new models right away. The team will take a look at those models after all of the other ones are done.
- The female Troll model is in process right now.
- The website will show off the new models and provide release date guidance as progress is made on the remaining ones.
- Ear and hair clipping is a little bit better with the new models.
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