About
Todd Wahoske is a US based senior level environment artist. He has been working as a professional digital artist in the videogame development industry, for 12 years. As an environment artist, Todd has received considerable exposure, his work featuring in many successful, critically acclaimed video games, spanning multiple game console platforms. He is driven by an instinct to follow the creative path of game development.
Game credits include:
" driven by an instinct to follow the creative path of game development "
- Guitar Hero 3 Legends of Rock
- Tony Hawk's Project 8
- Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
- GUN
- Tony Hawk's Underground 2
- Tony Hawk's Underground
- Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
More recently Todd has expanded interest towards new mobile social gaming and web-based arenas, gaining valuable experience and knowledge outside the traditional studio environment.
- iPhone/iPod Touch
- web 2.0 social media
- Facebook social games
In the future Todd expects to continue his work both on innovative new platforms and next-generation hardware, while trying to satisfy his lofty appetite for mastering new tools, techniques and dreaming up new ideas. He also enjoys baking cookies.
click here for resume (pdf)
Services
Todd has created digital art content and managed teams for "triple A" videogame titles with sales in the billions of dollars, and for small independant developers on low budget games with 12 week development cycles. (whew!) He has experience working for new venture start-up companies ranging from browser based social games, web 2.0 development, and mobile apps for iPhone.
3D Modeler
3Ds Max has been the primary choice for all of the games Todd has helped to develop. He first began modeling in Lightwave back in 1999, then switched over to 3Ds Max in 2000 as it offered the team more in the way of writing custom plugin software and was used as a game editor for exporting art assets. While at Neversoft Entertainment Todd worked with technical artists and engineers to help design tools for the art team as it transitioned to next-gen hardware for Tony Hawk's Project 8 and rebuilt their engine from the ground up.
2D Painter & UI Artist
Photoshop is perhaps the most adored and utilized software for the Digital Artist. Todd was hooked on PS back in college where he realized he wanted to learn and use it in his future digital art career. He still enjoys the odd clone-stamping third eyes on foreheads of friend's photos but mostly uses PS for painting, tiling, tweaking textures for every project he works on. While working for WePlayTV, Todd learned to use Photoshop more from a web design perspective and eventually worked on UI art for iPhone apps.
Works Well With Others
Todd has a unique ability to gel with all members of the development team. He reflects positive and likable personality traits, inspiring productivity and passion for the project. He also values healthy departmental communication and holds a strong desire to solve problems together as a team. Most importantly, he feels these virtues are equally essential as the creative and technical slices of game development pie.
The Big Picture
Todd understands the big picture of any task and can flex according to a project's fluctuating schedule, features, and workflow. One of the most rewarding aspects of making games comes when the team settles into a groove and sparks ignite with amazing features, gameplay, art, and coolness. This "feeling" drives developers to continue working on games and is best achieved when everyone is devoted to doing their greatest for the project, while keeping in mind the overall big picture.
Portfolio
The following represents the majority of my work from the last decade or so, listed chronologically.
Polyghost T9G Bear Hunter BearBy Character
- iPhone, iPod Touch
Polyghost is an interactive, social photo sharing app that allows you to insert wild, mischievous and cute 3D animated characters into your favorite iPhone pictures. This licensed character was modeled and textured for real-time rendering on the iPhone. The model is made of 5487 triangles.
Credits:
- 3D Model and Textures: Todd Wahoske
- Original Design and Sculpture: T9G
Watchmen Justice Is Coming Rooftop Environment
- iPhone and iPod Touch
WATCHMEN: Justice is Coming is an online role playing game developed exclusively for the iPhone and iPod touch. The game is inspired by the highly anticipated WATCHMEN film released by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Level Credits:
- Artist: Todd Wahoske
Watchmen Justice Is Coming Prison Environment
- iPhone and iPod Touch
WATCHMEN: Justice is Coming is an online role playing game developed exclusively for the iPhone and iPod touch. The game is inspired by the highly anticipated WATCHMEN film released by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Level Credits:
- Artist: Todd Wahoske
Watchmen Justice Is Coming Red Light District Environment
- iPhone and iPod Touch
WATCHMEN: Justice is Coming is an online role playing game developed exclusively for the iPhone and iPod touch. The game is inspired by the highly anticipated WATCHMEN film released by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Level Credits:
- Artist: Todd Wahoske
Watchmen Justice Is Coming Cemetery Environment
- iPhone and iPod Touch
WATCHMEN: Justice is Coming is an online role playing game developed exclusively for the iPhone and iPod touch. The game is inspired by the highly anticipated WATCHMEN film released by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Level Credits:
- Artist: Todd Wahoske
WePlayTV.com Art Direction
During 2008, I took a break from developing games and worked with a web start-up as Art/Creative Director for weplaytv.com. WePlayTV makes watching television more entertainingly and social by connecting you with your online friends.
WePlayTV.com Sports Bar Environment Rendering and Concept Art
The Championship Circle Clubhouse was an early concept of a clubhouse environment for weplaytv.com.
Guitar Hero 3 Legends of Rock | Desert Rock Tour Venue
- Xbox360, PS3, PS2
Level Credits:
- Concept Art: Francisco Mora
- Models and Textures: Todd Wahoske
- Lighting/Lightshow and FX: Andy Marchal, Johnny OW
Guitar Hero 3 Legends of Rock | Mitch's Moose Lounge Venue
- Xbox360, PS3, PS2
Level Credits:
- Concept Art: Francisco Mora
- Models and Textures: Todd Wahoske
- Lighting/Lightshow and FX: Andy Marchal, Johnny OW
Guitar Hero 3 Legends of Rock | Shanker's Island Venue
- Xbox360, PS3, PS2
Level Credits:
- Concept Art: Francisco Mora
- Models and Textures: Todd Wahoske
- Lighting/Lightshow and FX: Andy Marchal, Johnny OW
Guitar Hero 3 Legends of Rock | God of Rock Tower Venue
- Xbox360, PS3, PS2
Level Credits:
- Concept Art: Francisco Mora
- Models and Textures: Todd Wahoske
- Lighting/Lightshow and FX: Andy Marchal, Johnny OW
Guitar Hero 3 Legends of Rock | Robo-Dino Model
- Xbox360, PS3, PS2
This model was featured in the Desert Rock Tour Venue.
Credits:
- Model and Texture: Todd Wahoske
- Concept: Francisco Mora
Guitar Hero 3 Legends of Rock | Mascot Model
- Xbox360, PS3, PS2
This prop was used in the Mitch's Moose Lounge venue as a band mascot.
Credits:
- Texture and Model: Todd Wahoske
- Concept: Francisco Mora
Tony Hawk's Project 8
- PS3, Xbox360
Just prior to the THP8 dev cycle, I leveled up and became the Environment Art Lead, which meant I was overseeing a team of 15 artists.
I assisted with the THP8 E3 Trailer Team, which turned out to be successful due to everyone's hard work. I was involved with some texture work, post-screen FX and various odds and ends. Though my role was relatively minor, assisting on the project with this talented team was easily one of the highlights of the Project 8 development.
- The full trailer can be viewed here.
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland | Create-A-Skater Shops
- Xbox360, PS2, Xbox, NGC
THAW featured real-time character appearance changes within shops located aorund the city. I made all the shops for this new feature.
Level Credits:
- Artist: Todd Wahoske
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland | East LA Environment
- Xbox360, PS2, Xbox, NGC
I spent time making sure the textures had extra layers of filthy LA grime. Also I became fascinated with all the signage in LA while shooting reference photos, adding as many signs and graffiti decals as our texture budget would allow.
Level Credits:
- Artists: Todd Wahoske, Chauwa Steel
- Design: Jeff Morgan
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland | Minneapolis Lighting
- Xbox360, PS2, Xbox, NGC
Originally featured in the first Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Minneapolis was a added as a classic level for THAW. I gave it a PS2 makeover by adding reflective streets and updated lighting along with higher resolution textures, and last but not least buildings from the actual downtown Minneapolis skyline.
Level Credits:
- Artist: Todd Wahoske
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland | Skate Ranch Environment
- Xbox360, PS2, Xbox, NGC
This was an unusual level where the player could unlock several different areas and pieces to skate on in any order. By the time the player unlocked all the pieces, the level was transformed into a very different place. This presented some challenges for the art team.
I worked on the night time lighting for this level as well as the east third of playbale area, and all non playable background elements.
Level Credits:
- Artists: Todd Wahoske, Chris Peacock, John Dobbie
- Design: Jeff Morgan
Tony Hawk's Underground 2 New Orleans Environment
- PS2, Xbox, NGC
Created models, textures, and lighting for French Quarter section of this level, non-playable background elements, and destruction event assets for Hurricane level event.
Level Credits:
- Artists: Todd Wahoske, Chauwa Steel
- Design: Jeff Morgan
Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Skatopia Environment
- PS2, Xbox, NGC
I should write a pulp fiction novel of outlandish tales from our rather infamous Skatopia reference trip. Thanks to Brewce and the CIA for showing us around Skatopia and good ol' Rutland, Ohio, not to mention West Virginia and the Athens Skatepark. Ummm... yeah. We managed to recreate Skatopia for THUG2, but the real place is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. You should go. This level was a "quickie" right at the end of our dev cycle, so we had many artists helping out to get 'r dun... Go team!
Level Credits:
- Artists: Todd Wahoske, Aaron Skillman, Andy Marchal, Henry Ji, Ted Barber, Chris Peacock
- Design: Jeff Morgan
Tony Hawk's Underground Tampa Environment
- PS2, Xbox, NGC
Skatepark Of Tampa Main Interior and exterior Tampa city.
Created from photo reference shot on location.
Thanks to the guys at Skatepark of Tampa for showing us around and telling us to go to Ybor City.
Level Credits:
- Artists: Todd Wahoske, Chris Peacock
- Designer: Alan Flores
Tony Hawk's Underground Hawaii Environment
- PS2, Xbox, NGC
Waikiki Beach - "The Pink Palace Hotel and Resort"
Thanks to the guys at 50-50 for showing us around Honolulu and making us feel less like howlees.
Level Credits:
- Artists: Todd Wahoske, Chris Peacock
- Designer: Alan Flores
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 Alcatraz Environment
- PS2, Xbox, NGC
Ahhh, memories. The first level I worked on at Neversoft. Created models, textures, and vertex lighting for the lower section of this level, non-playable background elements.
Level Team Credits
- Artists: Aaron Skillman, Todd Wahoske, Mark Scott
- Designer: Brian Dean Jennings
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 Shipyard Environment
- PS2, Xbox, NGC
This level came together very quickly towards the end of the project thanks in part to a well refined design and some excellent photo reference shot on location in Long Beach, CA. I primarily worked on the east side of the level (closet to camera) as well as the main building with the smokestack on it. Also worked on the polluted water.
Level Credits:
- Artists: Aaron Skillman, Todd Wahoske, Andy Marchal
- Designer: Junki Saita
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