Invisible | Character Design for Honor of Kings

Background

This is a character skin design contest for the game Honor of Kings, where the core design philosophy for the game's character skins revolves around three elements: "aesthetics," "narrative," and "gameplay." This integrates visual aesthetics, story and character setting, and gameplay mechanics. Honor of Kings invited players to design a skin for the hero Yuange, under the theme of "Future Fantasy," that aligns with these three elements and encapsulates the essence of future fantasy.

"Perhaps, in some future world, people can freely create a partner who is inseparably close. Just like Yuange..."

[Narrative]

The skin represents the hero in a parallel universe, and its story and character setting must be consistent with the hero's temperament. Yuange is a quiet puppeteer who manipulates gorgeous and mysterious puppets, pursuing the ultimate in dazzling mechanical aesthetics. His puppets are lifelike, capable of deceiving everyone.

[Gameplay]

Yuange is an assassin with gameplay centered around "shape-shifting and shadow moving," agile and possessing significant offensive capabilities. He is a puppeteer seeking ultimate control, also known by players as the "Artist of a Thousand Faces."

Design Concept

A genius young hacker from the East uses oracle bone script as code to create a bizarre and cool virtual character. He moves through every corner of the canyon, with an invisible and ever-changing presence, his true identity unknown to all.

In the world of the metaverse, players can freely change their virtual avatars. Combining this with Yuange's ability to disguise as others to confuse opponents, I designed Yuange's true form as a young hacker who achieves the freedom to alter his virtual appearance by hacking the system.

In line with Honor of Kings' spirit of promoting traditional Chinese culture, I integrated traditional elements like oracle bone script and Tai Chi into the design, using the concept of 'the great image has no form' from the Tao Te Ching.

In terms of character design, Yuange is a genius young man, combining the simplicity of Tai Chi attire. I also modified the bulky VR goggles to not detract from the character's appearance.

The puppet's design emphasizes the virtual character's feel, showcasing non-realistic curves, flowing light materials, and a sense of floating. The oracle bone script 'code' serves as the link and control between the puppet and Yuange himself.

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