At the risk of sounding cliche, I just like bringing these things out of the game and into reality. Everyone has played as Link, the Master Chief, "Insert Your Name Here" from numerous RPGs, and we've all held the weapons, armor and accessories. Bringing these things out of the game and being able to actually hold them is an experience not many people get to have. I like being able to know that I recreated someone's vision as exactly as I could. It's a stretch to call my work anything more than glorified copying, but I love the intricacy and have always believed that the real beauty of things lies in the details.And there are a lot of details in your work. Are you driven by a love of gaming to focus your attention on this medium rather than ... movies, for example?
The thing about movies, live action ones anyways, is that somebody has already made the thing you've seen on-screen. Chances are that person is: (1) a butt load more talented than me; and (2) working with a much, much larger budget. I can't really hope to create anything that won't pale in comparison, and in the end, a shoddy replica isn't much of a tribute to the original artists design (in my opinion, anyways). That isn't to say I still wouldn't like to take a crack at some things, like the Zorg ZF-1 gun from The Fifth Element. But I have to realize my limitations in terms of budget, time and personal investment. I realize that's a bit at odds with my statement of building the Daft Punk helmet before, but that's a rare case in where I have a generous client who's willing to wait long enough and spend the required amount to make the replica really perfect.
Do you have a background in engineering and design or is this a "trial and error" hobby for you?
I went to the Savannah College of Art and Design, graduated in 2004 with a degree in Graphic Design and a minor in Furniture Design. I also worked as an auto-body repair tech for a while, and hold an MECP (Mobile Electronics Certified Professional) electronics certification, so I know my way around paint, wiring, metalworking, and low-voltage schematics.
Link's Master Sword (above), Midna's Helm from Twilight Princess (top, right)
If the Gears of War 2 Lancer bundle taught us anything, it's that people want big real life representations of in-game items. Are the pieces too pricey and time consuming to attract the general hardcore gamers who would love their own Portal gun, for example?
I definitely think there is a price break point, that's for sure. Most gamers would balk at a $1,000 Portal gun. I don't think I'd even buy one at that price, but if you knock things down to $150/200, then I think the market grows significantly. I don't possess the capabilities to do that, obviously, but I wouldn't mind exploring the option. The guys at Valve could probably do very well with a $250 collector's edition of Portal 2 and your own ASHPD. Look at how well the PipBoy 3000 Clock has been selling for Bethesda! I would definitely love to work with them on such a project if they chose to move forward with it.
Has Valve contacted you about your Portal gun replica?
