RVG Interviews: Luis Martins.
RVG Interviews Luis Martins, Luis is the Co-Creator/artist/AD of Paprium, Chrono resurrection and he is also a Senior Lighting Artist ay UBISOFT working on games like Rise Of The Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, For Honor, WatchDogs 2.
Enjoy!
The Interview,
Zapiy
Thank you for agreeing to our interview, please take a moment to tell us a little about you?
Luis
I’m currently working at UBISOFT Montreal and I’ve been working in the gaming industry for the past 18 years. I’ve worked on such titles as Rise of The Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider Reboot , Deus Ex mankind Divided, For Honor, Watch Dogs 2 and many others. I’m also quite active in the retro community creating games for the Sega Genesis, Paprium, Crypt Of Dracula, I also created Chrono Trigger Resurrection years ago.
Zapiy
How did you get started in the video game industry?
Luis
After graduating from art’s school, I was given a shot at testing games, from there I showcased my art portfolio and I was offered a position as a concept artist. Eventually I became a 3D lighting artist.
Zapiy
What is it like working at Ubisoft ?
Luis
Working at UBISOFT is great, this company has become one of the best to work for. I previously worked at Eidos ( SquareEnix ), Behaviour and many others but I only have great thing’s to say about Ubisoft. They value their employees, they have amazing IP’s, creativity is promoted and everyone is treated well.
Greyfox
Are you working or ever worked with any of your gaming legends?
Luis
I Havent worked with any Legends directly, but I was lucky to meet Yu Suzuki during a E3, took a picture with him and that was one of my favorite moments. Sega’s AM2 games are amazing classic’s, love them. To be fair, I work everyday with highly talented colleges, they are in my opinion legend’s in their own right. They are the workforce making these amazing games everyday.
Greyfox
Do you use any special programs to help you create your graphics? Any tools you created yourself for this task?
Luis
Yes, to create lighting and atmosphere we use proprietary engines and all is done in real-time or almost at the moment. I work closely with tech artist’s and 3D programmers. We like to improve tools and find solutions to improve our workflow, these changes allow us to create the best graphics possible.
TrekMD
Are you surprised with the resurgence in retro gaming?
Luis
Somewhat surprised, in fact very happy to see how retro gaming is loved and now promoted around the world, It’s huge, its gaming history that we are all preserving. We are now seeing a lot of independent effort’s and developement in creating games for older consoles, we have tech companies resurrecting older consoles with new design’s and technology so that they stay compatible with current HDMI display’s. It’s a great effort from everyone. Retro gaming has inspired the INDY developement and both are here to stay. Great times !
TrekMD
What games from back in the day (and now) would you say are your biggest inspirations?
Luis
I love to play the best Arcade Beat em Up games. I also always go back to the SNES and Sega Genesis, they have a crazy amount of amazing games ranging from Beat Em Ups, action platformers and shmups. Other games that have inspired me through time are the Mario, Zelda, Metroid series. The Metal Gear Solid, Shenmue, Street Fighter’s,Uncharted, God Of War and Resident Evil series. GoldenEye 007, Mortal Kombat, Killer Instinct, Tekken, Virtua Fighter, Dead or Alive series…. phew ! Honestly, way to many.
Zapiy
What is the biggest challenge you face with the limitations of the hardware when creating your graphics?
Luis
Every generation of console’s have their computing power limitations, but it isn’t the limitations that most matter, it’s what you do with these limitations that count’s. Sure, power does matter, but with great art direction, tools and a dedicated team, everything is possible. Our limit is our imagination.
Zapiy
Do you have a favorite game that you were involved with?
Luis
Rise Of the Tomb Raider.
Zapiy
Was it hard adapting to the changing hardware over the years?
Luis
It can be hard but ultimately, it’s a very satisfying learning experience working with new technologies.
TrekMD
Are you a gamer yourself? Do you own any retro systems? Modern systems?
Luis
Yes, I’ve owned almost all of the popular consoles since the 8Bit era, but right now I own the Gameboy, NES, Super Famicom, Sega Genesis, Dreamcast, Nin64, PSX, PS2, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Wii U, Switch, PSP Vita.
Greyfox
What other artist in the industry commercial or homebrew do you admire for their graphics?
Luis
Nintendo, Capcom, Konami, Square, Rare in the 8 and 16bit era are where my favorite developers. Currently companies like Nintendo, Naughty Dog, Santa Monica Studios, Guerrilla Games, Sucker Punch, Capcom, Bungie, Insomniac Games, id Software, SCE Japan Studio, Ubisoft. All these and many others are companies that develop some of the best graphic’s and videogames in the industry that I really admire.
TrekMD
If you were stuck on an island and only had one game to play for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Luis
Ha ha! that’s a really good question… Currently I would have to say Zelda Breath Of The Wild.
Zapiy
Can you tell us what prompted you to get involved in Retro Game Development?
Luis
I always wanted to make a Beat Em Up, a side-scrolling shooter or platformer game. They all are my favorite genre’s and making games for older hardware is challenging but also motivating. I wish AAA companies would still make games for older hardware.
Zapiy
How did your connection with Tanglewood and Dracula games come about?
Luis
Matt from Tanglewood and Matt from Crypt of Dracula are super nice and talented guys, very happy to help them when I can. For Tanglewood I contacted Matt and asked him if he needed help with anything and he asked if I could do his game cover art. I guess we mutually expressed our admiration for each others work’s, I told him how I amazed I was with Tanglewood and he told me how he really likes my artwork’s and what I was doing for Paprium, from there we became friends. Same thing with Matt for Crypt Of Dracula, Matt is also one of the coolest guy’s to work with, he was following Paprium and eventually got in touch with me to work with him on Crypt of Dracula. We also became friends and currently we are also working together on it.
Zapiy
Paprium is a stunning game, how did you get involved?
Luis
Thank you, a lot of sweat, sleepless night’s and hard work was put into it. I got involved at the time when Pier Solar was gaining popularity and during that time I was collecting for the Sega Genesis. So I got in touch with WM and expressed my interest in helping out. That is when Tulio, WM president at the time told me about their Idea to make a Beat Em Up game. Since that has always been one of my favorite genre’s ever and since I always wanted to make one I was on board. Needless to say I was able to share my love for the 80’s and 90’s cyberpunk themes and animes while making this game.
Zapiy
Why is there so much delay to Paprium?
Luis
That is a very good question and one that WM is only capable of answering. There have been a number of setback’s from a production standpoint that have been mentioned on WM official FaceBook page.
Zapiy
Any other homebrew projects you’re in line to work on?
Luis
Yes, there are a couple of project’s in the making, I’m also enjoying making promo or cover art illustrations for various project’s. Check out Crypt Of Dracula.
Greyfox
Which designs are you the most fondest of?
Luis
I really love the design’s of the main characters I did for Paprium, they have a distinct personality and anime feel. But there have been many others through time that I developed. Check out my Twitter account.
Greyfox
Also which gave you the biggest headache?
Luis
No character is a challenge for me to create really, to be fair all illustrations have their challenges. My biggest challenge at the moment is time to do more art. having a full day job and being a father take’s allot of discipline to manage your free time to do the thing’s you enjoy doing on a personal level. When you are free from these responsibilities, being an artist is a breeze : ) That is life !
Finally
A huge thanks to Luis for taking part in of our interviews, if you enjoy our interviews and want to get more involved or you have some suggestions of who we should interview next, please join our forums and let us know.
Retro head and key holder of RVG.