New zone loading screens with Ultra graphics

This is a little project I started recently: new loading screens for each zone, with Ultra mode graphics, available in the standard aspect ratios so they don't appear stretched anymore. So far, I've done eight of those; I did not add the zone's name yet because I want to get them done before I spend a ton of hours hunting down fonts. I'll be slowly adding more as time allows. Big "WIP" label attached to this whole thing, but I wanted to share now that Ultra mode is out of closed beta.

August 3, 2010: I just checked the links and they're down. If anyone is interested in these packs I can upload them again, but with this contest around the corner I don't really see the point.

Example images follow:

And more example screens (couldn't put them all in a single post):





Faultline has the zone text because the game adds it automatically, unlike the ones zones.


Quick clone-tool job to fix the Pocket D screen.

Do we need to uninstall your other version before installing this version, if we're using your Non-Ultra version already?

edit: also, I am incredibly happy to see these as full-screen images instead of black-bar styled. Awesome job!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dispari I don't know why Dink thinks she's not as sexy as Jay was. In 5 posts she's already upstaged his entire career.

I loaded them up and loaded up the game...made a new really-ugly-random-costume hero since that was the fastest way to get to get to a new loading screen... Man, even without the text, Outbreak's loading screen looks great! Logged into my 50 and buzzed around to some of the other new screens, and they all look similarly awesome. I don't like Depth of Field at all, but I can deal with it on my loading screens since I only look at them for a very short time.

edit: I just noticed you used the updated world map, with all the writing and the new tram line stops... that is very subtle and makes the update even better!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dispari I don't know why Dink thinks she's not as sexy as Jay was. In 5 posts she's already upstaged his entire career.

Beautiful work! Any chance they'll ever have text on 'em? That'd be great, but even without text they're way better than the originals.

Gah. Again I demonstrate on the forums that I can't read.

Leandro, would you like my first-born child or a nice gift basket in the mail?

Hurry up and do the rest of these, huh? I want the whole set, hero and villainside!

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

Most of your new loading screens are major improvements over the existing ones, but I disagree on your choice of views for the Steel Canyon one. The defining element of Steel Canyon is the skyscrapers, and you've almost completely omitted them from the loading screen.

Leo, you crazy!

And the burning buildings were mentioned too. It's darned hard to get good shots of those though.

Excellent work on these, Leandro.

Fabulous work, Leandro, thank you.

Wow! These are awesome! Thanks!

Actually, Leo.. this was something I was going to throw in a suggestions thread, but you not only beat me to it, but conceptualized it and brought it out admirably!

DEVS, you are telling us how much the game is changing, the graphics are being refreshed, and a new chapter of CoH is happening.. it's been 6 years, update the loading screens.. Even the starter one.. Statesman still isn't wearing a cape.

If you don't I'll be using Leo's regardless, because ba-dang! That makes it really FEEL like the game is entering a new chapter with a fresh coat of polish!

Also, how much is Serge paying you..I'll double it if you take Icon out of the picture.. that hack could design his way out of a tutu!

-Arbiter Fabulous

actually, I do have one request if you do change anything..

Put Coyote in the Outbreak one, it would be a nice gesture to our passed friend.

Hey Leandro, just wondering if there's been any more done since the last time I checked in here. Everytime I load up Atlas or Steel Canyon, I get a little giddy inside because to me, the loading screen is a big deal.

While your screens are higher quality, I can't help but feel many of them miss the mark, compared to the originals.

Specifics :

- Galaxy City : the original plays on the galaxy theme by showing the sky, the moon, the stars.

- Kings Row : in the original, that close up on the garbage bin and dirty streets highlights well the "ghetto" feel of KR.

- Steel Canyon : as mentioned, skyscrapers.

- Faultline : the original is cleverly made, starting from the rebuilding in the bottom and showing a rebuilt area on top.

Great login screen, though.