Note: This article refers to the old top-down build, so it has been adapted to the project retrospective series to avoid confusion. More information about Dudebro’s current incarnation can be found in later posts.

The screenshots released in 2011 for the top-down build displayed a major shift in art direction with the switch to 2D sprites for the characters and weapons. But how did this decision come into place? While perhaps a simple switch on the surface, the choice to go ahead with the change was discussed extensively with the team and did not happen overnight.

One reason was some key members in the 3D art department leaving for personal reasons. We started exploring alternate solutions not to let the project suffer from a smaller number of modellers, and with the very talented pixel artists contributing to the game a solution soon became apparent; use sprites rather than 3D models.

The pros and cons were carefully weighed to determine whether this was indeed the right decision. On one hand, the perspective would have to be changed and getting it just right would prove to be difficult: the sprites needed to be facing the camera frontally all the time, not to look like soulless cardboard cutouts. This meant their angle within the game world wouldn’t have been exactly vertical and could still have looked off, especially closer to the edges of the screen, without the right camera settings. However, the sprites would have been more faithful to the concept art and would have meshed together modern and retro styles, something we’ve been yearning for from the very beginning with the choice of pixelated cutscenes intertwined to 3D gameplay. The look would also have been unique as few games today utilize both 2D sprites and 3D environments, and even fewer use realistically proportioned characters. Well, as much as Dudebro’s muscles can be defined realistic of course!

After a large number of mockups and attempts, the sprites not only ended up feeling right within the game world; they felt much better than the models we had initially, and could show more detail. So, the decision was finalized.

Later on, further dropouts in the team caused another, way more drastic switch. But that’s another story.

Note: These screenshots show the old top-down build. To see how the game looks now, please click here.

Today we finally released the first three Dudebro II in-game screenshots. As you can see, we are taking a different approach with the art direction than originally planned. The 3D character models have transformed into crisp 2D sprites that give off a more retro feel, and suit more the style of the game.

It should be noted that not everything is finalized. Some of the assets are just placeholders and will improve over time as development continues. The enemy count is also not indicative of the final product, as our current build already shows several more enemies on screen at once.

Ironically, the old bullshot actually looks worse. This shows how much things have improved since the last major development.

Check out the screens below!

Click to enlarge.

The first screenshot shows a bunch of SkullPro Soldiers ominously approaching a Dudebro lit in real time by the flames of a crashed helicopter, next to a medal-shaped mission marker. This used to be the starting point of the game.

Click to enlarge.

This screenshot shows a small forest of withered trees, and a daring SkullPro trying courageously to face Dudebro all alone. Not smart.

Click to enlarge.

This screenshot demonstrates the physics engine powering the old build. Similarly to the current version of the game, Dudebro could, in fact, pick up and throw several objects. Best way to show it off? By stacking up shit and blowing it up of course.

Now here’s a card that finally answers an age-old question. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Here we have the Buck Viper, a septuple-barrel shotgun with a live snake coiled around it. As you can see, the top barrel is inside the snake’s mouth. The forestock is also a Buddy Beer can.

Nobody seems to understand how this gun can function with a design that doesn’t make much sense. That of course hasn’t stopped the army from mass-producing them. They are quite powerful and appropriately a step above the standard-issue Razor Blood.

This picture is posted under fair use. All rights reserved to their respective owners.

Hold on to your nanomachines! Here’s some fan art reminiscent of another badass military bro. Presumably no bipedal mooing mechs were harmed in the making of this piece. Courtesy of Josh.

Here’s a track by Whitehawk, appropriately named “Fuck You”. This should give you a good taste of Dudebro II’s hot-blooded soundtrack. Take a listen.

Whitehawk – Fuck You

The leader of the SkullPro army. This infamous soldier is the subject of some very unnerving rumors. While unconfirmed, the fear emanating from the eyes of those that speak his name seem to indicate some truth to this supposed monster’s reputation.

If the rumors are to be believed, Limpwrist is quite clearly someone to be feared. It is said that he may be the only man on Earth whose beard rivals that of Dudebro’s. Not only is he an expert body builder, but his skin apparently has the consistency of the legendary metal, brodamantium. His hardened body causes bullets to bounce right off of his chest. He even once killed a shark strapped to the back of a tiger. With his bare hands. To top it all off, the ladies flock to him with absolutely no effort on his part.

It is unclear what his connection to Pesquali is or even which of the two is the real threat. What Pesquali has in firepower; Limpwrist allegedly has in pure strength. Only one thing is for certain; these two working together may shake the very foundation of the planet itself. Is Dudebro capable of stopping such an unfathomably monstrous duo?