This is not my beautiful Squall - Devlog 002

Did you know you can go to Models Resource, download the original models of Final Fantasy VIII, open them in Blender and wonder trough ur childhood memories from every possible angle? That's what happened to me during the summer of 2016. At that time I thought games were made by magic (and I still do), so the notion that I could open Blender and take a peek at the actual raw material of FFVIII, was a sacred experience. I proceed to then, spend the rest of the summer taking photos of the models wireframes. 

Then, the new Final Fantasy VIII remaster was announced. Where was my beautiful Squall? He was now gone and replaced by a crispier, high definition stranger. Tetsuya Nomura was involved on this remaster so this could be what Squall always was supposed to look like but even then, why was I so disappointed? Was it just nostalgia? I don't think that's the only reason. By replacing the beautiful Squall that I carefully crafted in my head, all these possible variations were gone and now only one concrete option was left.

A love for the limitless lowpoly was born.

This infinite realm of possibilities is what I love about low poly. Does he have no eyebrows or are they just thin? Either option is available to you and with them, they bring all your baggage along you. A game that helped me realize this was All Our Asias by Melos Han-Tani. A super b game(that's also free),  where you explore someone's mind and discover their secrets. After playing it, I realized the low poly look had transcended beyond any type of nostalgia to become a language by itself. 

Last month when I showed a peek of the game to my partner, they asked if the main model was going to remain the same for the actual release. " Why?" I asked, - Does it look THAT bad? They answered with another question: "Isn't that the boy from Final Fantasy VIII?" It was not, and that was the best compliment I could ever receive. 

Big big hugs,

Xiri.

P.D: Doon Kanda new album is really pretty.