Elden Ring Fan Makes Impressive SOTE-Inspired Level in Unreal Engine 5

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Key Takeaways

  • Environmental artist Stephen Chin recently created an impressive Elden Ring-inspired level in Unreal Engine 5.
  • Called the Cerulean Sanctum, the map takes inspiration from Shadow of the Erdtree’s Cerulean Coast.
  • Chin said he made the Cerulean Sanctum as a portfolio piece since he’s been struggling to find work after his contract at one Xbox studio ended.

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours exploring the vast landscapes of Elden Ring, I can’t help but be truly impressed by Stephen Chin’s dedication and skill. His creation, the Cerulean Sanctum, is a testament to both his passion for the game and his undeniable talent as an environmental artist.

One dedicated Elden Ring fan has recently gone through the effort of using Unreal Engine 5 to make a level inspired by the Cerulean Coast. His impressive creation serves as an homage to the in-game region that awed many Elden Ring players.

The Cerulean Coast was unveiled as a new location in the June 2024 release of Elden Ring’s popular expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree. This coastal area lies in the Land of Shadow’s southwest corner, with Charo’s Hidden Grave to its north and Coffin Fissure to its south.

Environmental artist Stephen Chin has taken inspiration from a striking location to design his unique take on an Elden Ring-esque level. Named the Cerulean Sanctum, this map is characterized by hues of periwinkle, lavender, and blue, echoing the distinctive visual identity of the Cerulean Coast. Beyond the sanctum itself, the level boasts a formidable-looking castle, which resembles Gothic architectural styles with its towering spires, expansive windows, and intricate details.

Elden Ring-Inspired Cerulean Sanctum Took Months To Create

Speaking about his accomplishment, Chin shared that it took him approximately two months to construct the entire map. A significant portion of this task involved creating many models from the ground up. Apart from Epic’s Unreal Engine 5, Chin utilized Autodesk Maya and SpeedTree for model building. The landscapes within the Cerulean Sanctum were sculpted in QuadSpinner’s Gaea, while the texture work and material design were done using Adobe Substance 3D Painter, Quixel Mixer, and Photoshop, among other tools.

In a Reddit post, Chin shared that he developed the Cerulean Coast purely for enjoyment and to bolster his professional profile. Previously employed at Turn 10 Studios, developers of Forza Motorsport, Chin initially joined as an intern and then worked as a contractor for approximately a year. Unfortunately, after his contract expired in 2024, he’s found it challenging to secure new employment due to the preference of studios for artists with at least three to five years of experience. He clarified this point by saying, “Many studios prefer hiring artists who have worked for more than three years.

It isn’t just Chin who is discontent with the current condition of the game development job market; many others share similar feelings. Over the past few years, the industry has seen a significant wave of layoffs due to multiple reasons. For instance, Microsoft, the owner of Turn 10 Studios, let go of more than 2,500 employees in the year 2024, and this number doesn’t include individuals like Chin whose contracts weren’t renewed.

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2024-11-04 12:53