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Rocky Bergen

ARTIST & DESIGNER
  • Design Portfolio
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My Hero is the only Sega Card game I own, but it’s a good one.

My Hero is the only Sega Card game I own, but it’s a good one.

Sega Master System - Papercraft Design

November 25, 2019

The Sega Master System papercraft pattern can be downloaded at the end of this post.

I was probably 11 when I first saw the Sega Master System on display at our local Home Hardware store. It was the Christmas Holiday season and on display was the system kiosk running Hang-on. I had already seen the NES in action by then and I could tell the Master System's palette was more vibrant and featured more simultaneous on-screen colours. The controller felt a little less confident in my hands, but I went back to that display several times over the holidays so I could play the display title over and over. I knew that Safari Hunt must be superior to Duck Hunt due to the extended menu of exotic animals on offer. I landed up getting an NES that year and it wouldn't until my high school years that I would get another chance to play the Master System.

Safari Hunt

Hang On

Nintendo would go on to dominate the 8-bit era in North America so all my friends and I played and shared Nintendo games between ourselves. We mostly grew up Nintendo fanboys by default. Many years later while in high school I randomly discovered that one of my classmates had grown up owning a Master System and still played it. So I demanded that we head over to his place to check it out. I must have played Fantasy Zone for several hours that night.

Oh my, what could be inside?

It’s a Sega Master System!

So this is what a SMS Christmas feels like.

It wasn't until I was in my late 30's that I decided to buy a Master System and grab a few games to try it out myself. If Sega had marketed and distributed their 8-bit product more aggressively it may have performed better because many of the games are pretty amazing and the experience in very qualitatively unique from many of Nintendo's offerings at the time. This was the system of choice to many of the European and South American consumers.

Box is included with this pattern!

Box is included with this pattern!

Rear of Box

Remember when systems came with TWO controllers.

I would be lying if I said I would have preferred growing up with the Master System, but that may have been mostly due to my community of friends sharing and talking about Nintendo games all day. I don't know what it would have been like being a silent Master System fan in the group. Maybe if on that fateful Christmas my parents had bought me a Sega Master System instead of an Nintendo Entertainment System I would have fallen in love with Alex Kidd and Phantasy Star, I know that as an adult I have.

Alex Kidd was one of Sega’s early mascot attempts, second to Opa Opa.

Sometimes I have little connection to the model I am designing and other times it part of a lifelong fascination. Whether it is something close to my heart or something “new” and exciting I am always happy to explore a different design language and share this experience with others in this unique way.

Happy holidays to everyone and if you like this article please consider sharing with a friend or leaving a comment! What should I design next?

The Sega Master System papercraft model can be downloaded here.

In sega, videogame, papercraft, Retro, paper craft, Design, art Tags Sega, Master System, SMS, Mark III, 1986, video game, pattern, design, papercraft, paperart
What would a Genesis/Megadrive port of Gateway to Apshai look like? Here’s my first attempt.

What would a Genesis/Megadrive port of Gateway to Apshai look like? Here’s my first attempt.

Gateway to Apshai - Sega Genesis Upscale

November 3, 2018

Epyx’s Gateway to Apshai is a game I grew up playing on my Commodore 64 back in the 80’s. It was the first dungeon crawler I ever played and is still fun to play today.

These are my initial thoughts as to what I would like to see in a 16-bit port. Palettes need to be resolved, graphics need further refinement, and additional detail will be added as I get a better sense of what is possible.

This is not the first time I have done a rescale of this game, last year I mocked up a 1-bit Arduboy port.

1-bit Arduboy descale.

Gateway to Apshai hero - Lot’s of opportunity to infuse character into this sprite.

Dungeon Map.

This project is in it’s infancy so I don’t want to advertise the potentials just yet, but as always, there is a chance that this project could continue to grow. Here’s to hoping!

In Graphics, videogame, sega, Retro Tags game dev, video game, gateway, apshai, epyx, upscale, mock-up, sega, Genesis, megadrive, 16-bit

This is Faux’s trailer interior V1 complete. Items may be added but I am satisfied with this first pass.

GameMaker Development - Bedroom added

September 26, 2018

I really had a feeling that if I rendered Faux’s place in pixels, it would be perfect stage for a game that focuses on our relationship and our ongoing efforts to grow a life together.

The next step in this project will be to start mapping out the exterior garden. Plenty of photos were taken at peak season to ensure a grand interpretation. With fall fast upon us, the colder weather should provide plenty of incentive to want to revisit that warmth. I am excited to start growing our pixel garden in the warmth of the studio.

I promise I will also have more papercraft projects coming soon!

Faux really knows how to put a room together and she also made the quilt on the bed!

In Game Dev, GameMaker, Graphics, Retro, videogame Tags game dev, video game, bedroom, rpg, sprites

Progress is being made. Faux’s trailer is proving to be the perfect stage for a video game.

GameMaker Progress - Coloring has begun

September 22, 2018

I have been having such a great time with my papercraft designs that I had taken a break on other projects such as my graphics for a possible GameMaker game. What exactly this game could be has yet to be determined but as an exercise in “pixellating” a real-life location, I am beginning to see some real success.

I am especially proud of the linoleum in the kitchen. Ezra the cat is always demanding to be fed.

Cheeseburger the cat likes to follow me around the trailer and beg to be picked up.

The final area I worked on, is the hallway, studio and bathroom areas. More clutter, erm details will be added to the studio shelves at some point.

In Game Dev, videogame, Retro, GameMaker Tags pixel art, game dev, video game, video games, relationship
The outlines for these rooms were a challenge. A utility closet was initially included in the design but in order to best resolve the most interesting items across all the rooms it was removed. And yes, Faux really has a goofy skeleton hanging on he…

The outlines for these rooms were a challenge. A utility closet was initially included in the design but in order to best resolve the most interesting items across all the rooms it was removed. And yes, Faux really has a goofy skeleton hanging on her studio door.

Hallway, Studio, Bathroom Outlines Complete

March 17, 2018

Very excited to see continued progress on this project. I promise colour and details will follow but I must first outline the kitchen and the bedroom. I force myself to stay at this limited level of detail in order to remain flexible in the overall design. Also, it has been said, that you can't help but get better as you practice your pixelwork. By the time I have completed outlining, I am hoping I will have gained enough skill to fill in the gaps.

The trailer is beginning to take shape!

The trailer is beginning to take shape!

Here is a sample of the in-game door functionality. Doors allow for "privacy".

Here is a sample of the in-game door functionality. Doors allow for "privacy".

The final two rooms are smaller than the "first two" but are both full of interesting details so I will avoid the impulse to start rushing. This is a labour of love!

The final two rooms are smaller than the "first two" but are both full of interesting details so I will avoid the impulse to start rushing. This is a labour of love!

In Graphics, Nintendo, Retro, videogame Tags Trailer, game dev, video game, pixel art, sprites, Living Room, hallway, studio, bathroom
Represents the outline of most of the assets in Faux's living room.

Represents the outline of most of the assets in Faux's living room.

Faux and Rockasoo Video Game Development Begins

March 10, 2018
I went to Faux's trailer to take photos and graph out (on paper), the game's assets.

I went to Faux's trailer to take photos and graph out (on paper), the game's assets.

The idea of making a game out of my personal life is a theme that has followed me for a long time. I hope to celebrate life's many hardships, struggles, triumphs and victories in our quest to reach the lofty heights of the 16-bit.

For perspective, the trailer will span several screens.

For perspective, the trailer will span several screens.

In Game Dev, nintendo, art Tags Living Room, video game, reality, simulation, rpg, life, art, artist

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A collection of illustrations, designs, other art, and the occasional meandering. If you are interested in working with me please have a look at my portfolio and feel free to drop me a line!

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