Gears 5 - Azura drop concepts
In early 2017 I had the childhood dream opportunity of working inhouse at coalition on the Gears of War franchise with Gears 5 for a few months, they wanted a fresh pair of eyes for the preproduction of the game. Special thanks to my team at the time: Aryan, Greg, Fernando, Tyler, Cesar, and Steve.
These were from the opening moments of the game, working on the opening section of an entry in such a beloved franchise was a treat.
Art Director: Aryan Hanbeck
Originally we were going to have a one cenote cave in deal, then I did this shot and they had a great idea of having several holes in facility, having the player go back and forth between nature and man made.
Originally we weren't sure where this facility took placed, they had an idea of a rainforest and a cenote. I ended up making it more tropical, which worked out in the end for story purposes.
This was the first shot I concepted of the area, I wanted to emphasize the original gears design mantra of "Destroyed beauty". The area ended up being so beautiful and grand in the final game. I am really happy with where they took it.
Some more concept shots of the drop. I really wanted to play with the idea of landscapes transformed by destruction.