Uncharted 2: Among Thieves has got to be one of the most visually stunning videogames I've ever played. There were moments in the middle of all out gunfights where I would die because I accidentally swung the camera over some amazing vista and started paying attention to that. From characters to levels to backgrounds, Uncharted is crammed with amazing artwork. Of course something that good looking takes a lot of work to make, and now all that work is being collected.
Ballistic Publishing is partnering with Sony (more books on other games to come) to release The Art of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. The 272 page book collects the artwork that was done while creating the game in a stylish hardback or paperback cover. This includes concept art, character studies, environment art, character modeling, game art, cinematics, motion-capture, animation, effects, and insight from the guys at Naughty Dog on developing the game and gaming art in general.
The book is landing in a paperback edition for $65, a leather-bound Special Edition for $129, and a collector’s Limited Folio Edition with hand-crafted, leather-bound presentation case, and hand-signed and numbered Certificate of Authenticity from Naughty Dog’s key creators for $300. You can pre-order it now, and if you're one of the first 300 people to get the softcover edition or any of the special editions then you will receive a 15 minute walkthrough video of three of the concept pieces for the game.
Now to scrounge through my couch for $300 worth of change.
Contest:
8:00 AM on 03.13.2010
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but $65 sounds awful expensive...
If you're confusing this with those free art books that come with games and preorders, don't. And I do mean that. Because even the deluxe art books which come with Blizzard collectors editions or the $40 Udon Capcom art books hold NOTHING compared to a Ballistic Publishing book.
First, go here and you can preview the entire book.
http://www.ballisticpublishing.com/books/uncharted2
Now as you flip through it, you may notice there is a HELL of a lot more information in this than any other available resource for Uncharted 2. Ballistic Publishing books, in general, have this although when NOT a game exclusive book, they also feature tutorials.
While $65 is expensive for "just and art book," Ballistic Publishing doesn't make "just art books." If you are a game enthusiasts in ANY way, these books are an excellent addition to your collection.
Naughty Dog is very committed to a high level of artistry and skill with their games, and this is very valuable material to other artists such as myself looking to be on their level and understand how they work. Hilariously, I can't afford it myself...again, that is not an admission that is too expensive relatively speaking, it is just something I can't swing right now, much in the same way that I really can't swing any new games right now.
And try purchasing some shit from Taschen...holy shitballs.