BigBizkit: Thank you for joining us today. First of all, could you please tell us a bit about yourself?
Deadpool2099: You’re welcome :) Well, I don’t know what would be interesting that I can tell about myself. I was born in a family full of artists, so it pretty much defined my future. I was only doing traditional arts up until I changed my university to one which required knowledge of 3D programs. So I started studying for it, I really loved it, and so I decided to mix one favorite hobby (3D arts) with another (gaming). So I started making mods for my favorite game at the time :)
You’re best known in the Fallout 4 modding scene for your incredible weapon mods. Which ones would you say are your main mods or the ones you are most proud of?
I believe I’m most proud of two of them – the first and last, 9mm and Service Rifle. The first one is my first finished model, that I made after like 2 months of learning 3D arts, and it was quite good for a beginner, and the Service Rifle, well, there’s so much work been put into it, there were different texturing approaches and I generally paid more attention to details. So even after 2 years of improving my skills, I don’t dislike it unlike some of my other early works, haha!
What specifically drew you to Fallout 4 modding and what made you decide to create all kinds of cool new guns?
It might sound strange, but that was the Fallout 4 Animation Kit by ShadeAnimator. And my love for FNV, too. As soon as I saw that ShadeAnimator made custom animations for guns possible, I thought that it would be incredibly cool to bring all those FNV guns that are missing to FO4. Though, I couldn’t animate or model back then, but hoped that someone someday will make it. But then, as I said, I went to a university that required 3D skills, started learning it, and then thought “heck, why can’t I do it myself? How hard can it be” :) So I tried and made them - some at least :)
The guns you’ve created are all incredibly detailed. How much time did it take you to create the Service Rifle, the Wattz Laser Gun, or the Bullpup Bozar? What was the development process like?
It is easier now that making gun 3D models became my job rather than a hobby, but it all depends on how complex it is. Stuff like Bullpup Bozar I could do in roughly 2 weeks, while the Service Rifle with all the attachments could take 2 months. Now I usually make a pistol in 1,5 – 2 weeks and something complex, like a sci-fi rifle in 3-6 weeks, but it still depends. What may seem simple can take twice the time than something complex to make.
There is no shortage of amazing weapon mods for Fallout 4 and new ones are coming out almost daily. Do you still keep up with Fallout 4 modding and do you have any favourite gun/weapon mods from other creators?
Sadly, I don’t pay as much attention to the Fallout mod scene as I used to, because of so many new and exciting games that are coming out at the end of the generation, and so little free time I have now, but my top favorite are WastelandMelody’s Chinese AR, DKS-501 Sniper Rifle by LtCommander, and M1 Garand by asXas. I can’t imagine playing F4 without those. Also, I really love the work by TheRizzler, ShoeBurglar and ToastyFresh, I always use their mods in my game, and I’m a big fan of what they do.
What tools do you use for your creations and how did you learn how to use them?
It’s 3Ds Max for modeling, Substance Painter for textures and ZBrush for highpoly models and minor sculpting, when it’s required. I used to learn primarily from tutorials on the web for the most part, plus I asked for help from my teachers in the uni for some specific questions.
Have you ever tried your hand making mods for other games?
I had some ideas, but never got to this, as no other game did hold me for as long as Fallout 4 did.
What advice would you give people interested in becoming a mod author or a 3D artist in particular?
For 3D artists, the program you’re using doesn’t matter, but what you do does. If you’re using the same software pack as I am, tutorials by Tim Bergholz, especially his AKM tutorial, and by Michael Pavlovich helped me a LOT to get into 3D, and I can’t recommend them enough for beginners :)
But most importantly – practice. Spend as much time as you can doing what you like: modelling, texturing, scripting or animating, and you’ll become a pro in no time :)
Is there anything else you would like to say to our community?
Enjoy the things you’re doing. If you’re playing a game, modding it or even making your own, it’s gotta put a smile on your face in the end, no matter what your path is or was :)
A big thank you to Deadpool2099 for taking the time to talk to us! If there's an author or mod project you'd like to know more about, send your suggestions to BigBizkit or Pickysaurus.
24 comments
Real treasure to moding community and from what I read here also a nice person.
Huge thanks and respect.