MCU-43 Gryphon (OGA) [similarity]

[charlie]

Found here:
http://opengameart.org/content/mcu-43-gryphon-mech

Integration status: rejected - too close to well known proprietary IP

[Julius]

Really, still too close? Hmm, and I tried to make it different enough :/

Rejected is such a harsh word though... it hurts the artist in me

[charlie]

Especially when capitalized!!!

[hc]

Hm, it is similar to a certain model (M*ddog / V*lture), with differences:
- Lowerleg/Footjoints
- Weapon
- Shape and width or torso
- Small fins on shoulders
- Less round Hipjoints

Hm, I'm unsure. The general mechanical construction and the significant parts remind me of that brand. But if there are similar robots in published game(s) of a different brand (eg unrelated RTS) I could give in. Similar to the reasoning in http://opengameart.org/content/spacemarine. Nevertheless an original look may be appreciated.

ps. reject is maybe a harsh word but we are just judging the piece not the artist. You did a good job.

[charlie]

For reference:
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Mad_Dog_%28Vulture%29

[Julius]

I am not denying that that was my original starting point as reference. I feel however that it is different enough... and after all Battletech did rip off Robotech in the beginning

But really your choice, right now I cant finish that mesh (too busy with other stuff), so feel free to modify it to your needs. And the mesh is more of an 3D sketch right now anyways.

[Skorpio]

The model still looks very nice, but always when I see it I think: ah a nice Vulture. You have to create your own designs, otherwise it'll always look too similar to someone else's intellectual property (damn I hate that word, too (btw here's an interesting graph)). But you can still reuse the gatling gun.

And Battletech/FASA had a lot of trouble because of the stolen designs. They had to remove/replace them from their books and model assortment, which was very disappointing for the fans of the game.

[hc]

BTW there is a flaw in almost any chicken-type design repeated all over again: The anatomy is wrong.

Long story put short: Birds do have the same legs like humanoids but with different proportions: Hips, Short (hidden!) upper leg, long lower leg, long foot, long fingers. Likewise chicken and humanoid mechs get the same rigging. This "original IPed" mech does not only miss the upper leg but movable hips, too: It wouldn't walk if it were a real robot.

For comparison:

http://www.sciencephotolibrary.com/images/download_lo_res.html?id=670042178
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhpVgUCHDIE

You won't see the hidden upper leg but you can see the (actual) knee move almost vertically up and down.
So small upper leg-lets or a rollable hip is a good thing ... or the uppermost joint has to be large enough to include the small upper leg bone and allow vertical movement without hanging in midair.

[Skorpio]

BTW there is a flaw in almost any chicken-type design repeated all over again: The anatomy is wrong.

I knew that, but I think since giant robots are already rather unrealistic it doesn't matter so much if the anatomy is unrealistic, too.

[hc]

Actually your mech has a small hip/upperleg part (inverse-V-shaped below the torso) I use to lift the legs in the procedural animation.