We continue our column “Faces of the industry”, in which we introduce leading industry specialists. This time Ilya Benkin, the leading Nevosoft artist who painted the “Planet of Gems”, told us about himself (the artist Mikhail Nikulin also worked and is working on the project, about which another time).
Ilya BenkinAbout me
I never intended to become an artist, although since childhood everything around me was disposed to that: my mother worked as a cartoonist, my father painted in oil at his leisure, my brother went to art school. However, I also drew well, so, like my brother, I went to art school. I had enough for 2-3 still lifes.
About joining the industry
I started CG in 2007: I installed Photoshop, made a collage of my photos in the style of “Sin City” according to a lesson on the Internet. Soon I bought a tablet, took up computer painting. So a couple of months later I was already working in a studio that made graphics for slot machines. After that, there was a year of freelancing. But while working at home, I got bored of the hermit life and came to the game industry, to Nevosoft.
About the difficulties in drawing casual projects
There are no pitfalls in casual as such. They are all in a specific niche.
About the difference in working on art for hardcore and casual games
I have never participated in the development of a hardcore project. I think the difference is big. The audience is more demanding, the technology is more complex, the teams are bigger…
About what influences the style
Your own style is influenced by drawing itself. It doesn’t matter if you draw casual or something else. Of course, it would also be nice if the topic was yours. For example, I don’t like fantasy.
About the work on the “Planet of gems”
When I came to the “Planet of Gems”, it had already been in development for six months or a year. With the new people in the team, one of whom was me, some things began to change significantly. Graphics are no exception.
We started the development for the second time with the search for a common concept, setting. It was only clear that it was match-3 plus a builder with a planet. We had ideas to make a game about pirates, about sweets, or even in the style of Tim Burton. As a result, we chose aborigines, palm trees and the sun: the most casual setting.
It took a long time to choose the main character. Several characters of different ages were drawn. All the girls. The boys weren’t even considered. They were chosen by the whole company. As a result, everyone liked the smallest, she is the cutest heroine.
Before that, at the stage of setting selection, there was a beaver. In my opinion, no one else took this idea seriously at that time, although he would have won now. In the sense that he is a more neutral character, suitable for a larger audience.
About projects that you like
I love unusual and beautiful games, like Monument Valley and World of Goo.
P.S. Do you have something to tell about your work, share solutions and cases? Write to us at alexander.semenov@nevosoft.ru .
You will be able to get acquainted with the Planet of Gems team at White Nights Moscow 2015, which will be held on October 13-14.