Greetings, Citizens!
For June's Dev Diary, we sat down with Milou Baars - the animator at Galaxy Grove!
How long have you been working at Galaxy Grove?
I’ve been working at Galaxy Grove since September last year.
Did you study game animation at college or university? Or were you self taught?
I’ve studied Game Art at the University of Arts, Utrecht.
In this 4 year study, you start your first year learning about different disciplines in the game industry: art, development or design. In the second year you choose to specialize in one of these disciplines while also choosing courses that fit your interest. I really liked this broad and flexible way of learning and finding your interests, and it also helps to understand what other people might do in game projects! Even though we got offered 2 courses in animation, 2D animation and some 3D basics in Maya, the most I learned myself in group projects in the last 2 years.
Describe what your career has been like so far.
This is my first job as an animator in the game industry! It’s been really fun!
Before this I’d done some freelance work with illustrations before I discovered the magic of 3D art and animation!
What initially drew you into game animation?
I think it initially started when I was a kid. I used to love watching Toy Story and other Disney/Pixar movies on loop. When I got older I saw these “how it’s made” videos and was so impressed! I knew I wanted to do this, but where to begin!? I started drawing characters and fan art and eventually got into Art School and there learned how to 3D model, and then I was like: “wait, I want to make these characters come alive, like in Toy Story!” And starting learning to do so in school projects, and now finally in Town to City!
What has it been like working on Town to City?
It’s been really fun! I’m very happy with my job! It’s much more than just animating as well. I’ve also concepted, modeled and rigged the characters (I also got to model some other stuff!). I like this because it’s very versatile.
When those character animations are done, I also have to implement them in the game together with developers and make sure they look alive and do the right actions at the right spots. It’s really fun, it’s almost like playing a game yourself.
Can you describe the process of bringing the characters to life through animation?
The animation approach is based on realistic motion with a touch of exaggeration.
I take reference from real-life movements (myself ;p), study how people move, and interact with their environment.
However, because much of the animation will be viewed from a zoomed-out perspective, I slightly exaggerate certain motions. This helps actions remain clear and readable from a distance without becoming too cartoony or stylized when viewed up close.
What challenges did you face when it came to animating voxel style characters?
Taking characters straight out of MegicaVoxel (the voxel modeling program we use) and animate with the objects from there, would have been hard. It would feel very robotic, because the meshes won’t bend. The approach was to make the characters as realistic as possible in the limits of the style, therefore, I exported these Voxel models into Blender and retopolized and rigged it in there. This way I have control over the model’s topology and loopcuts to make sure the characters can move smoothly and bend their limbs as realistic as possible.
Where did you draw inspiration from when it came to the character animation in Town to City?
Not direct inspiration, but I think from all the movies and games I’ve seen in my life. And of course all the real life references.
Do you have a favourite animation that you have created in Town to City?
I think any of the baby animations. Babies are just slightly more cartoony looking in their behaviour, because they can be clumsy or playful. I like that. Sometimes they can just dance around and it looks really funny. 
What type of games do you like to play in your free time?
I really play anything. From adventure, to cosy games, to puzzle games, to multiplayer couch games. Really anything but shooters or football games.
If you’re looking for a cozy city builder, add Town to City to your wishlist now!
Add Town to City to your wishlist now, and keep up to date with all things Galaxy Grove in the Discord!
