There comes a time in gaming when you imagined TF2 in an alternate gaming genre. What would it be like if TF2 was a roleplaying game? Wouldn’t it be awesome if I could run around in Dustbowl helping out male_09 out on a little quest?
Well, one such individual thought this way, and culminated his ideas into neat photoshopped GMOD pictures (which you can check out here). So lifelike and real were the pictures, that some even thought that Valve had been secretly designing a new game mode! The pictures were also featured on Kotaku.com and several other gaming sites. We all owe our thanks to goldenhearted, creator of these stunning pictures.
(Fig 1. Stunning cover for a TF2 RPG, if there ever was one)
I also had a chance to interview goldenhearted himself:
Q1. Your photoshop skills are very good! How long have you been tinkering around on photoshop?
A. I’ve been tinkering with the program since mid-2004. It started when I edited my own skins for the Maxis simulation game “The Sims”.
I have to admit, I’ve never had any formal training with the program nor did I use any tutorials. All I did was open up the program and see how the tools in front of me worked. Then I’d pick up some tips on the way.
Q2. Where do you get your TF2 inspiration from?
For GMOD-ing? What inspires me to do stuff like “Band of Brothers” and the “TF2 RPG” is the game’s overall look. I’m just in love with the artstyle of TF2 that it’s just fun to work with in GMOD.
Let’s say you’re playing an online match and see all the comical stuff going on that it makes you wonder “Man, if this was an RPG… or a dramatic style game… that would be nice to think of.” and that kind of stuff.
Thanks to the wonderful Garry’s Mod, I can bring those thoughts to life.
Q3. What are your future plans for TF2 related stuff?I’m planning to continue my general play of the game I love. Having “Spy” as a main class for me, it’s always a thrill to play and the chances of new things coming from playing that class is high so it’s very replayable.
Apart from that, I am going to continue my other GMOD project “TF2 RPG” some time after the “Band of Brothers” project. Currently, I’m working on 2 GMOD projects related to TF2 and I’m planning another GMOD work this autumn season
Q4. Any last words for the fans (tips, tricks and tactics on photoshopping, avoiding taxes, TF2ing, etc.)
Haha, for Photoshop, don’t take the route I took when it comes to learning which was learning through experience from the get-go without formal guidance. I suggest you pick up a book or watch videos that teaches you the basics of Photoshop.
And don’t rely on filter effects too much to make your work too flashy and such. There are times a simple design is the best design.
As for TF2 general… keep it up with the class you play as. Don’t use the Backburner and if you plan to use the Cloak and Dagger watch, don’t camp in one corner for the whole duration of the match doing nothing!
That is all.
Goldenhearted’s next project is a faithful re-creation of TF2 characters in a “Band of Brothers” style background image, which you can see here.
(Fig 2. Amazing rendition of the Band of Brothers pose with TF2 characters)
All the best to goldenhearted, and best regards to his future endeavours!
Thats all from Nanosheep, signing off!
