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Hitting Slopes: The Level Design of SSX

How did EA’s SSX team go about designing natural looking half-pipes on the top of Everest? Find out in this developer diary.

EA’s SSX developer diary continues. In this third entry, art director Dave Taylor explains the process of creating an exaggerated SSX world on top of real topographical data.

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Comments
  • This is looking like it really might be classic SSX for a modern audience. I'm cautiously optimistic ;)
  • 1:10 O.O DO WANT

  • Me want gameplay!! This game looks promising too.

  • SSX was awesome at its peak; they eschewed the pretense of realism in favor of over-the-top amazing thrills.

    This one looks like they're shooting for a bit more realism artistically, but sounds like the thrills will be as big as ever. Also they should be able to do some pretty cool snow graphics/physics now that weren't possible with the previous games- I know they're talking about having more dynamic avalanches and whatnot, but the look and feel of the snow in general, could (hopefully will be) captured better now.

    Hope hope hope.
  • I'm pre-ordering this game. They're just improving on the classic formula, none of that emo "Deadly Descents" crap. Good to hear that they have the right goals in place. The scope of this game is insanely immense.
  • I am definitely looking forward to the Characters video next week. Here's hoping most or all of my favorites from 3 made the cut.

  • I've never actually played an SSX game.  If the this lives up to the hype, I might check it out

  • Mod

    I really like how they're taking real world locations and exaggerating them to fit the style of the gameplay. The jumping off points will make it easier for people to get to their favorite mountain spots too. Now bring on the characters.

  • Always have, always will play SSX!

  • i am kinda hopeful for this game.

  • Every time I see a new ssx video I scream like a little girl at a Justin Beiber concert.

  • SSX and Silent Scope were the first two games I ever played on the PS2, and I remember the gameplay blowing my mind at the time. Hopefully, many years and a console later, this return to form will do the same. I have high expectations, being met every step of the way. Hats off to you, EA.

  • if u look at 0:27 u can see a graph of past characters. if u look all the way to the left u can see elise with a line going from the top to the bottom. now she has been confirmed in the game but no one else has. if u use assume that since she has a line through her and she's in the game, any character with a line through it is in the game. this means Elise, Zoe, Psymon, Griff and Luther are 4 sure in the game. sadly Mac is not for sure but heres hoping

  • if u look at 0:27 u can see a graph of past characters. if u look all the way to the left u can see elise with a line going from the top to the bottom. now she has been confirmed in the game but no one else has. if u use assume that since she has a line through her and she's in the game, any character with a line through it is in the game. this means Elise, Zoe, Psymon, Griff and Luther are 4 sure in the game. sadly Mac is not for sure but heres hoping