Square Enix has generously provided deviantART with the exclusive rights to distribute Concept Art Boards demonstrating the creative process used in their new game for the Nintendo DS
The World Ends with You. Haven’t you always wondered, “How did they come up with that?!” These boards can hopefully answer that question.
And now for the first installment of these Concept Art boards. We’ve taken some of the highlights of the developer’s insights and posted them here… for more information about specific storyboards, click on the thumbs!
Slide 1: Initial Background Concepts
What do the four center panels demonstrate?We explored colors and moods with game elements such as enemies as well as differentiation of the RG (real ground) and the UG (underground) worlds.
Slide 2: Background Angle Tests
What is the significance of the angled backdrops?In designing for this title, we kept the game’s main concepts in mind:
- Shedding the conventional on-screen presentation
- A worldview grounded in Japanese urban culture
We over-exaggerated perspectives in order to preserve the unconventional style that the game is based on. For example, we displayed the “104” building and the poster large and extremely angled, so that it would look massive and eye-catching.
The “104” building was drawn in exaggerated perspectives, as if it is falling onto the town. We hoped to depict this tall lanky landmark in the horizontal DS screen by using this bold expression. The design centered on the iron bars in the entrance, rather than the building as a whole.
Slide 3: 104 Building Design
Could you explain the reasons behind the locations that were chosen?We were originally planning to use all of Greater Tokyo to create a variety of battles and scenery. We eventually settled on Shibuya where we can best explore the iconic elements of contemporary Tokyo, such as fashion and subculture. We believed we could express those concepts with better focus by limiting the setting to Shibuya.
These Concept Art Boards are unique in that they were created specifically for challenging YOU to create your own backgrounds, dream up new heroes or villains using your awesome skills as a traditional or digital artist to show the development team just what you’ve got!
Are you up to the challenge? If so
click hereCheck back soon for more installments featuring hero and villain creation!!
Sta.sh
500 POINTS GIVEAWAY! 
The giveaway will end the 1st of March. 
+fav this journal (this will be your raffle number )
be a watcher of mine (you can become a new one, YAY!)
100 
(don't
HOW TO JOIN
...Well, it wouldn't be like this crappy scribble. But the drawing has a double meaning, which should be easier to guess if you've played the "Game". (Hint- CAT is capitalized, Square Enix is my main inspiration, I like "connecting" things to each other...)
Go Square CAT, take over the world!
deviantART muro drawing
reminds me of JSRF-jet set radio future XD rockin' vid gam
basically the contest is about making your own version of The World Ends with You? is that it?
im working on my character... but i think I will not make it in time
i'm so going for dis, just for da cred!
i have a ds already...
is it nice or just sumthing else??
you tell me......
Or is it characters, even though there's like no mention of that, except for the installments that haven't come yet.
and uhmmm
WHERE IS THE 2ND INSTALLMENT!!
Could you guys post more information before this contests time is up perhaps?
I have to create new background or new character, right? But they must be in style of this game?
its cool
It sounds interesting - I hope I have time to give it a shot.
At least I understood it like that.
Anyhow, I'll consider joining the competition, to gain experience the least...
the frekin' deadline is in a few days and i still got no idea. xD
Eeeh... Nevermind.
But can you tell me, what exactly we have to do? I understood we have to create some new backgrounds or new characters, but I'm not sure. So - I'm asking just to know.
As for the contest itself. I read the "rules" section. I am aware that a bussines needs to cover it's ass, but the entire list of rules and disclaimers seems rather shady to me.
But does that mean they (deviantart/Square-Enix) own the sole rights to the characters? Do the artists still get to own their characters? ...Or do the winners get Lucky the Rabbit'D?