Getting back into game dev...

[Mathew]

Hey everyone! 😊 It's been ages since I dabbled in game development and 3D modeling. I guess a lot must have changed over time, right? 😅

I've been thinking about getting back into 3D modeling for game dev - just as a hobby though. That being said, I'm not really sure where to kick things off. 🤔 Are there any programs out there that make designing game characters easier? I mean, something that allows you to use sliders to tweak features like noses, ears, and so on to make unique characters - not just humans, but monsters, animals, and all sorts of creatures.

Back in the day, I had a blast using Autodesk Maya and Zbrush (though they were cracked versions, too expensive for a young game dev enthusiast like me 😂). Do these platforms have features that simplify character creation now? It would be such a relief not to have to start from scratch each time, which can get a bit tedious...

And speaking of Maya and Zbrush, are they subscription-based or can you just make a one-time purchase? I'm not keen on using cracked versions anymore (too many viruses!) but I can't stand the idea of a subscription model where you're basically just paying to use it. I'd rather shell out a larger sum once and then choose when and if to pay for updates. Or is Blender a better option?

Let me know what you guys think! 😊

[Ian]

Hey! Great to see a fellow game dev enthusiast. One of the programs that you might find interesting is called MakeHuman. It's a free and open-source. There's also Daz 3D, a software that offers a variety of premade 3D character models, animals and other assets which can be customized using sliders. It's a good fit if you're looking to create unique characters without having to start from scratch every time.

[Dom]

 Glad to hear you're getting back into the swing of things! I can't suggest any specific tools (due to forum rules), but the landscape has definitely changed in recent years. There are so many programs now out there with super easy ways to make characters in minutes. Many offer procedural and sculpting methods for character creation, which can be really intuitive.

[Jack]

Your talking about "procedural 3D character creation" which is a method of creating 3D characters using algorithms and rules rather than manual modeling. This technique typically involves defining parameters, such as body shape and size, facial features, and clothing, which can be randomized or controlled to create unique characters... you will be happy to know blender does this!