Hello, I have some sample shaders and shapes for my model below. Any feedback or suggestions is very welcome, even if hard or cruel 
(Shapes left, shaders right)
The question that comes to my mind seeing this: is this art style intentionally minimalistic, or are you just starting learning Blender and can’t do more than basic shapes?
This could work if you are going for an early CGI look on purpose for your game. In that case, the challenge isn’t a technical one, but rather one of making the game appealing as a whole. If you go for technically simple models, everything else (animations, gameplay, art direction, game design) has to be flawless for the game to be appealing, or else people will see it as having bad / low effort graphics rather than seeing a creative choice.
Well, in the end it really goes down to your expectations and also what you want to prioritize, what you like to do…
If your goal is to get better at modeling then focus mainly on that.
Maybe you can use AI to generate a simple design that you can take inspiration from.
Then forget about the game for a while and focus on modeling…
If the overall game is more important to you then maybe don’t worry about the models for now and focus on the whole…
If you want everything to be perfect, well you probably have to dedicate one or two years to each areas : modeling, texturing, programming, game design…
Anyway, I know that can’t help you much on what to improve but at this stage it’s not easy to give you practical advice !
Have fun !
Thanks sozap and etn for your fedback
Yeah I’m aiming for an 80’s graphics style look, I will add some detail though.
I was more wondering which basic shape design and shaders looked the best, although thank you for the feedback
For the shape, I think the beveled diamond shape in your images to the right is the most pleasing. It looks like a bit of thought went into it. I don’t get the same impression from the primitive shapes on the left.
Thats really helpful, thank you. Maybe a hybrid between the 2 on the right, the story for the game is taht the robot is old, and i could add some rust onto the diamond one from the red one?
Could work. If you could get a metallic looking surface, but with rust stains mixed in, it could convey the intention quite well.
Though, if this is rust, I would go for a more brownish orange color. I did not guess the vibrant red you have now is meant to be rust.
Ok thanks,
This isn’t as much blender related, but is this post processing good, giving the 80’s vibe?
Not bad, looks like an image viewed on a CRT monitor. If that’s what you are going for, that’s well done.
Though, if you were going for 80’s graphics as they appear on a modern monitor, you would instead go for as little post processing as possible, a crude, pixellated look with flat colors and no fancy effects like bloom.
Ok, thanks for the idea
I just finished the shader that follows what you suggested, this look alright?
I like this material, now this clearly is rusted metal!
Depends what vibe you are going for.
It’s a pretty common trope, but glowing eyes can be used to control how a robot feels like. Usually, an intense red glow for evil robots and a gentle blue for good robots. Leaving them black might give a more neutral, realistic look, as a real robot would probably have lenses for eyes, not a glow.
An other option would be to have a glowing dot in the middle of the eye, rather than making the whole thing glow, that’s a pretty common design.
Ok, thats a good idea, using colours to show feelings, especially for a robot.
I have an idea for a charged ability, which when activated will play a cinematic, which will often be used for killing a swarm for enemies. I think i should red for this, agree? And a light blue for calmness when not attacking as much.
Also, just updated post processing:
P.s. I will likely make a credit scene for the game if i finish it, want me to put something in there for you, you have been a huge help
Sounds like it could work.
Did you reduce lens flares? I think that’s a good idea, it was a bit too intense.
No need, I wouldn’t ask to be put in a game’s credits unless I worked directly on it, and surely not for a few comments.
I’d still be happy to put you in, even if it just a small part of the credits.
Also I updated the eyes and base material, this good?
I like that you gave the pupils a special shape like that. The eyes are important for a character, so they do deserve some attention in their design.
Thanks, I might make them open and close depending on actions as well, but for now ill just do this. Any more things I should add?
I think that’s enough. You wouldn’t want to make them too detailed in their modeling, or they won’t match the rest of the art style, but the ability to be expressive in their animation could serve you well.
Ok, thanks so much for all of your help, I have really appreciated it so much. Reply if you want me to put your username in for a bit of the credits.
Cheers
You can if you want to. Don’t hesitate later if you have some more questions!
