Inside the Vault: Tony Greco

Per

Per

Vault Consort
Staff member
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The latest Inside the Vault instalment on the Bethblog tells all about world artist Tony Greco except whether he's played Fallout.<blockquote>During development, Tony’s test cells are among the best to visit. He makes lots of cool unique items and you can find them all in his test areas — you know, the amazing stuff that you get as rewards for quests or after fighting a tough boss or [Fallout 3 stuffs we can't talk about], imagine all that awesome loot in one place. Hmmm….

What’s your job at Bethesda?
I’m a World Artist that mostly specializes in clutter meshes. It’s my job to make the game-spaces not look empty and to give you a reason to check out what’s on the kitchen table. It’s my job to make those sweet rolls look extra tasty. Mmm…sweet rolls.

[...]

The worst part about my job? Well, I guess it’s the fact that I could care less about graphics in games. It’s the least essential part to what makes games entertaining and fun. It’s all about the conceptual construction, design integrity and the fundamentals (gameplay) to me. I’d rather play a text-only game that’s well put together, thoroughly conceived, fun and thoughtful.</blockquote>Psst, Tony - try Wasteland!
 
Is it just me or does it seem ironic that a world artist isn't interested in graphics in games??
 
I find it commendable that he doesn't think graphics is the meat of games.
 
Talents with no passion - That always sucks. I guess motivation (His payroll) is enough for him.
 
Quick checklist.

- Overwhelming PR hack. Check.
- 90% of development team has never played previous Fallouts. Check.
- 90% of development team appears to have been hired right out of highschool/college. Check.
- Some developers not interested in job they're doing. Check.

Wow.

AAA title.
 
Pope Viper said:
- Overwhelming PR hack. Check.
- 90% of development team has never played previous Fallouts. Check.
- 90% of development team appears to have been hired right out of highschool/college. Check.
- Some developers not interested in job they're doing. Check.
Click to expand...

- HUGE fans of Fallout. Check.

Wait, didn't they once say almost everyone working on the game was a huge fan of Fallout? I thought that smelt like bullshit.
 
Sorry, one more too add to my sarcastic 1-item-list:

- The press guys are HUGE fans of Fallout. Check.

As almighty Todd has mentioned, there are press representatives that are teeming with Fallout fandom! Especially the ones that know deathclaws are mutated grizzly bears and know the game is turn-based. What great representation from the "true" fallout fans.
 
For some reason that mutated grizzly bears comment just keeps circling around in my head..

I keep asking myself:

Why would anyone think FO3's deathclaws came from bears?

the only answer I've developed so far has been too scary to contemplate for long:

"because they're furry"

:o
 
From the interview the guy seems likeable and interesting.

Of course his likeability doesn't necessarily translate into the degree to which his work blends with Fallout universe.
 
I also find the "I could care less about graphics in games" quote rather strange and objectionable, considering the fact that it came out of a "World Artist's" mouth. A good world artist should see game graphics as an essential instrument, opportunity even, for improving the overall quality of the game and adding to its immersion. I have nothing against the guy and his honesty, but now I well understand the reason why all these screenshots look dull and uninspired. A painter who thinks that painting is a waste of time? A composer who doesn't think much of the art of sound expression? Let's just commend the guy for being honest. Too bad "honest" and "professional" are not exactly synonyms.
 
Makagulfazel said:
Talents with no passion - That always sucks. I guess motivation (His payroll) is enough for him.
Click to expand...

I think that's the opposite. I have friends that work in the game industry here in Dallas, and let me tell you.. you don't go to work in the game industry for low pay and long hours unless you have some passion for games.

Actually one of the previous artists worked at the company that made Stuntman 2 were some of my friends did (And if that studio didn't kill his desire to work in the game industry I don't know what will!).

It is not a job people get into usually for the money. I program for regular enterprise type software and make more then many people doing the same type of work at a game company (though theirs is usually much much harder) and I work probably a third as many hours.

It simply isn't an industry you get in or stay in without a passion for it. If you don't have a passion you burn out fast.. really really fast
 
I would say that "I don't care about my work" doesn't necessarily follow from the statement "I don't care about graphics in games," even from a world artist. Not caring about graphics isn't the same thing as not appreciating graphics either. I would say that graphics is one of, if not the, lowest considerations when I'm judging a game. I still appreciate and enjoy good looking graphics and (much more so) great art direction.
 
He seemed quite sensible :)

He did say in the interview that he liked making graphics, but he does not seem to consider them the foundation of a game, which is very good, imo. One of the better interviews so far (granted, that does not say too much)
 
Ranne said:
I also find the "I could care less about graphics in games" quote rather strange and objectionable, considering the fact that it came out of a "World Artist's" mouth. A good world artist should see game graphics as an essential instrument, opportunity even, for improving the overall quality of the game and adding to its immersion. I have nothing against the guy and his honesty, but now I well understand the reason why all these screenshots look dull and uninspired. A painter who thinks that painting is a waste of time? A composer who doesn't think much of the art of sound expression? Let's just commend the guy for being honest. Too bad "honest" and "professional" are not exactly synonyms.
Click to expand...

Wow. Yeah. Did anyone else catch the bomb Ranne just dropped?

Also if this game doesn't have awesome sound I will consider this game to be made by the artistically challenged. Sound is much more important in this game then say Oblivion. By important I mean you can't just dick around. I'm not even talking about the voice actors. I'm talking about foot step sounds. This game should have loads of different foot step sounds. See Stalker 1979.

I get the feeling most of you have no idea what i'm talking about.

Andrei Rublov?
 
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