DOMINANCE WAR 2!

Dominance War is the biggest, meanest annual game art challenge out there. It was first held last year. It's a challenge between cg art forums. Last year there were at war polycount and cgchat. This year is much bigger with cgsociety (cgtalk) and 3dtotal also joining the war and also the prizes are greater.

There are real pros entering this challenge, so it's tough as hell. But I don't know about you, but I really want that CGacademy dvd bundle, so I'm so in. If you don't think you can make it, then just stand back and watch because there's a lot to learn and to feast your eyes with. Just look at last year's entries: http://www.dominancewar.com/1/index.htm
If you want to enter, just pick a side (a forum), become a member and join the fun. I'll be on the cgsociety side.

The challenge starts on february 3rd and I can't wait.

Fuckin' secks.

sweet entries. However, i do not feel my knowledge op 3d modelling is enough to enter something like this. It eludes me how the hell they make them normal maps.

The process of making a normal map is very simple actually, but time consuming. You basically make a low poly model, then make a high (very high) poly model to match the low poly one. You can do that by either taking the low poly mesh as a base and sculpt on it in Zbrush or Mudbox or you can make a model from scratch, but the end result must capture all possible details, from wrinkles to skin pores.
After you have both versions of the model ready, you can either use Zbrush to render the normal map on the low poly model (which is very easy, just a few clicks) or import it in your favorite application and generate the normal map there. In 3ds max it is done via render to texture. You have to place the highpoly model on top of the low poly one in the exact same place, but the volumetric match doesn't have to be perfect, then apply a projection modifier on the low poly mesh, make a few adjustments and then render to texture. It'll take a while to render the normals though.

Or you can do it the easy, but not that good at all way, and use the nvidia plugin for photoshop which generates normals maps from color maps. It works fairly well with tillable textures, where you want a quick normal map generated, but for more complex meshes it's fairly useless.

You can easily beat them TDR if you get a really unique idea

I can beat them, but it sure won't be easy. It'll be hell actually.

I followed this last time from beginning to end; it was really fun and interesting to watch the progress on some models specifically Mr. Rockstar's winning entry.
Good Luck TDR....you are going to need it.

If you win will you be jolly like Santa for a whole year?

(I so wish I had more experience to join this thing)

oh don't exaggerate, 2 months will still do.

Still the good old TDR we know and love.

We all love you TDR.

<3 POWAH FTW /channels and gives TDR energy!

Wow... those entries don't even look like models so much they're detailed.

*waves GO TDR flag*

TDR: how does one get in the contest? does one need to be part if those comunities(cgtalk, 3dtotal,etc)? or one can enter stand alone?

GO GO TDR and Jigrael (if you enter) You two are the best modellers I know :D

yes, you have to be a registered member in one of those communities and fight on their side. The work is individual of course (or there can be teams of 2), but you have to be on one side or another. As I said I'll be on cgtalk and you show your progres on the community's forum.