Mabinogi is a successful brainchild of Nexon, a multi-million dollar gaming enterprise which gave birth to a cultural phenomenon in and outside South Korea. One of many appeals of Mabinogi would arguably be its distinctive and colorful character portraits that pique players' interests.

These mabinogi NPCs (Non-Player Characters) run a broad gamut: from a wide-eyed, baby-faced child to a mature, curvaceous female, or an adolescent boy with an effeminate smile. One might stop and ponder about the job which is responsible for these works. Today, we meet, Young-hwa Kang, one of the most esteemed game artists in South Korea.

For games like Mabinogi, various mabinogi NPCs are continually updated. devCAT game artists design and illustrate NPC portraits. In general, artists draw images on a 2D basis, but those who take part in a 3D game like Mabinogi are in charge of shaping a broad idea for all aspects of a character: personality, appearance, clothing, et al.

How are characters in Mabinogi created?

First, a particular character's age or looks are discussed in company of developers. Upon conceptualizing a broad idea, the idea is rendered in many concept designs. As for Alissa, the precocious girl of Tir Chonaill whom I personally designed, she was called upon from a proposal that an NPC be placed in front of a windmill. From onset, she was depicted as a little child who possesses an endearing manner of speech and an innocent smile, solely due to the fact that the game then lacked the presence of young characters. She's my personal favorite.

What skills are required to be a game artist?

The ability to draw the human body is crucial. Moreover, it is important for one to portray a person's general mood and emotion. One should also familiarize self with colors and their hues. While no specific license is necessary, because it demands a lot of working on the computer, it is helpful to accustom oneself to a program or two. It is fine to use whichever preferred software, but most game artists use Photoshop.

In order to become a game artist

I majored in metal art and design, and I want to say one's major is not too paramount. Before Mabinogi, I worked in another company, and someone approached me after seeing my works on my personal homepage, offering if I would like to work together under a gaming company. Thereafter, I ended up working for Mabinogi team of Nexon. Typically, people in the gaming industry contact candidates after looking through freelancer artists' homepage. If talented, one is likely to receive a lot of proposals, namely through the homepage. It is also possible to get noticed in a contest. Nexon, too, has frequent game designers' contest, and one of my co-workers, in fact, won the grand prize in the Nexon contest. Winning in a contest hosted by a gaming country is a faster, more "surefire" way of getting employed.

Difficulties

The characters must be really pretty and handsome. I'm often asked by the personnel to produce a character who would influence the appeal of the game for the target audience. It is challenging to devise a fully distinct and attractive character which distinguishes itself from its predecessors. As there is a limit to what one can perceive something to be beautiful and "cool", I tend to feel the pain of creativity. To cope with the issue, it is common to concentrate on a character's facial expression based on his or her personality. Sometimes, the finished product looks a lot like my friends and families. In Mabinogi, NPCs say things in the form of speech bubbles, and it's quite difficult to write up their dialogue, as well.

How to gain ideas

Comic books, games, and animations. As for me, I read Japanese magazines, too. Gothic and Lolita is one of some from which I derive my inspiration. Consequently, many of the characters I created are heavily influenced by it. It is key to grasp the idea of what is currently "in".

What kind of individual is right for this job?

Those with lots of interest in drawing individuals. Although a number of people in my line of work have come from majoring in cartoon (manga)-related courses, it is unnecessary to worry too much on what one specializes in; what is important is the commitment for improving one's trade.

Job prospect

It's definitely better than before, in terms of both the wage and the demand. Our company is still on the lookout for new recruits.

 For aspiring students

I want to tell them to be diligent in schoolwork. It really helps. It also helps to practice types of drawing that a gaming company would be keen on. Individuality is great, but it is more essential to be able to be flexible in one's style, as well. I hope they achieve their dream. There is more demand for Japanese-style art in the gaming industry nowadays. One should strive to better the breadth of style by applying different techniques to the drawings.