Since we ran a feature on Duncan Harris, the groovy "video game photographer" behind the website DeadEndThrills, I've been sharing some of his work each week here.
This week Harris wrapped up Mass Effect 2 and dug into the original Bioshock, while throwing in a couple of enjoyable one-offs, as well. But first, he did a shot of The WItcher 2, which you see above.
"Memory Lane"
A color-drenched image from The Witcher 2, and yet another reminder that as perfectly fine as The Witcher 2 is on consoles, it'll never look like this. Harris captions this image; "A taste of things to come," making me think he's got more Witcher 2 planned.
Tools and tricks: 2160p rendering, free camera, no-HUD, antialiasing (injected SMAA), custom developer build.
"He's Dead, Jim"
Lovely shot of Mass Effect 2's Mordin Solus.
Tools and tricks: free camera, timestop, no-HUD, custom FOV, JeanLuc761′s hi-res character textures, in-world HUD textures blanked, antialiasing (injected max quality FXAA 3.11 w/ texture pre-sharpening), 2160p rendering.
"Skate"
Another one-off from Super Mario Galaxy (emulated into HD, of course) provides a welcome splash of color this week.
Dolphin emulator (OpenGL), 2160p rendering, antialiasing (4xMSAA), textures patched (HUD, pause screen), free camera, bilinear downsampling.
"Second Skin"
One of the creepiest, most memorable scenes from the original Bioshock, rendered into glorious HD.
Tools and tricks: antialiasing (FXAA), Post Process Injection DLL w/ pre-sharpening for texture and post-sharpening for image, high-performance ambient occlusion, 2160p rendering, no-HUD, custom FOV, noclip, timestop.
"Whupass"
A cool, oddly mournful shot of a splicer from Bioshock preparing to throw one of those damnable grenades.
Tools and tricks: antialiasing (FXAA), Post Process Injection DLL w/ pre-sharpening for texture and post-sharpening for image, high-performance ambient occlusion, 2160p rendering, no-HUD, custom FOV, noclip, timestop.
"Take the Power Back"
That famous duo from Bioshock.
Tools and tricks: antialiasing (FXAA), Post Process Injection DLL w/ pre-sharpening for texture and post-sharpening for image, high-performance ambient occlusion, 2160p rendering, no-HUD, custom FOV, noclip, timestop.
"Ms. Dynamite"
One of a few good-bye shots of Mass Effect 2, this one featuring Subject Zero.
Tools and tricks: free camera, timestop, no-HUD, custom FOV, JeanLuc761′s hi-res character textures, in-world HUD textures blanked, antialiasing (injected max quality FXAA 3.11 w/ texture pre-sharpening), 2160p rendering.
"Lost and Found"
A final shot of Dear Esther, which comes out in February. Lovely.
Tools and tricks: free camera, custom FOV, 2160p rendering, antialiasing (injected SMAA).