Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Developer Blog Q&A

Özgür Saral is one of the oldest team members at TaleWorlds Entertainment who joined the studio as an artist for the original Mount & Blade. He is currently the lead artist on Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord and the latest team member to participate in a TaleWorlds' developer Q&A. This particular installment of the Q&A series features a couple of pieces of concept art and even a wall-crumbling animation, so you may want to click the link above to check those out. Otherwise, here are a few sample questions:

WHAT DO YOU NORMALLY DO DURING YOUR DAY?

“I spend a large part of my day determining the priority of the necessary work and ensure that it is designed up to standard. I delegate the designed tasks to the appropriate team members and find solutions for any issues that arise for any tasks that are in progress. I make up shortages, such as with modelling and scene design etc., with any spare time I have.”

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WHAT FACTIONS DO YOU LIKE THE MOST IN BANNERLORD?

“My favourite faction in Bannerlord is Aserai. This faction has a warm climate and to see details like adobe houses, fabric sunshades and date palms reminds me of the mystical atmosphere of the east. Generally, it is the architectural and cultural details which make me feel attached to Aserai.”

HOW WILL WOUND AND BLOOD VISUALS CHANGE FROM WARBAND – BOTH ON MODELS AND ON THE PLAYER CHARACTER WHILE USING 1ST PERSON VIEW?

“Our current blood system works together with the particle system. Each particle (like sword blows, running in the mud, etc.) can leave blood and mud-like effects by sticking onto surrounding objects. The blood meshes, designed in accordance with physically based lighting, help us to obtain more realistic details when compared to Warband.”

HOW DO THE DIFFERENT TOWNS AND VILLAGES DIFFER FROM WARBAND?

“Towns and villages are more attractive and crowded than in Warband. There are more constructions which reflect the factions and more colourful streets that are home to gangs that you can fight.”