Hardwar Re-Imagined project 2012

This year I hope to get my Hardwar Re-Imagined project well underway. Ive already made a good start with my Police Cruiser aircraft in my gallery:

A little about Hardwar...

Hardwar was a game released back in 1998, created by Software Refinery based in Leeds England. The game was a freeform trading and combat game similar to the Elite series of games. The difference was it was set on a planet rather than deep space. The player played a fighter pilot in his ship, trading among the buildings and hangars of a city called (Misplaced) Optimism. A cratered colony metrapolis on the surface of Saturn's moon of Titan. The colony was cut off under mysterious curcumstances 100 years before when the corporations pulled out. Now its a fight for survival among the 50,000 residence and multitude of factions which makes up Mis-Ops. As you trade and fight you make more money for better equipment and aircraft and as you progress you unravel a plot that could destroy the city and everyone in it.

The game over the years achived cult status among a small group of fans and a few attempt to remake the game have either dried up or are still ongoing. The game was very much ahead of its time. Techno soundtrack, full motion cutscenes with real actors, graphics and AI ahead of its time. The story was quite dark and had a slight penchance for black humour. The whole atmosphere of the game and the way it was put together makes it one of the most unique games evermade. There has been nothing like it since.

My Re-imagined project is to take this game and redesign the vehicles/ equipment/ buildings as if the game was made today with todays graphics in mind. Its a project to help me work on a singular project practicing my conceptual ideas and design something completely different without losing the idea of the game.

My police cruiser is a good start.

Here are some cutscenes from the game so you can get an idea of what im talking about!

General gameplay footage in HD:

Combat gameplay HD:

I'm currently working on a Swallow, and Moon Taxi arcraft redesigns. Keep watching.