As senior technical artist on Guitar Hero: Van Halen I worked with the programming team on R&D whie I provided technical support for artists. My first task was to decipher and document the UI components of the game as we prepared to go in to full production. Next was learning how the scrolling fretboard art was created and integrated in to the game engine.
I created several early art concepts for GH:VH
I was honored to be the primary instrument artist on GH: VH responsible for the creation and scripting of guitars, basses and microphones. Tasks included developing geometry, uv editing, texture/material/shader work and hardware options scripting to fully implement the instruments into the game.
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- Eddie’s original black and white Fender was repainted to create the Frankenstrat
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- Ibanez Destroyer – The Shark. Eddie modifed this guitar after recording first Van Halen Album
On the drums I primarily worked on updating existing assets and providing technical assistance for our drum artists. Ultimately I was responsible for tracking and maintaining the entire set of instruments as we finished the game.
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- Not a Gibson Hummingbird, we didn’t have the rights
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- Wolfgang’s blue Frankenbass
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- Eddie’s EVH Wolfgang Custom in Sunburst finish
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- Eddie had final approval on the guitar art
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- After the 1980 tour the original Charvel Star with Danelectro neck was dismantled
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- Wolfgang’s black and yellow “Bumblebee” bass
As outsourcing art manager I worked with an off site studio as we converted the game art to the Wii and PS2. I teamed up with our engineers and contractors to finish both versions ahead of schedule. I worked on asset reviews, scripting, character updates, and many other tasks on these platforms.
Eddie held final approval and millions of fans know every detail, it had to be perfect.
I was lucky to meet Eddie Van Halen in person, we talked about putting his guitars in to the game. Talking shop with the man who hand built and played these iconic guitars was truly inspiring.
Promo logo created in Illustrator and Photoshop
