Wheelhouse Progress

ack at the start of 2024, I dove into modelling the interior of the F/V Scully. To be honest, I was slightly intimidated at first. Excited, but apprehensive. I knew I was embarking on a long arduous journey. The time I would spend on the interior would likely be more than tripled compared to the exterior (not including UV unwrapping and texturing). While creating the interior seemed fun, I also recognised it would be a daunting task. However, I soon realized that I have been tackling similar challenges throughout the project for years!

Over the next ten months in my free time, I constructed the interior of the F/V Scully. I began by blocking out the general spaces, using the exterior model as a guide, and my deck designs (see here and here) as reference. Next, I connected all the decks together with stairs, doorways and hatches. Then finally, added all the detailing room by room. The first of these rooms I worked on was the wheelhouse.

F/V Scully's wheelhouse is one of the most important spaces in D_ROGUE. Players would spend a significant amount of time here compared to the rest of the boat; so I spent a little more effort to ensure everything feels just right. I used numerous reference images from the TV show Deadliest Catch and meticulously researched all the navigation equipment so it was authentic to the late 70's. Although one or two pieces may not have been available until the 80's, their aesthetical appeal made them worth including!

Below are a few screenshots inside the wheelhouse. The first two showcase the stark contrast between it's inital and fully modelled state, with all the assets and gear in place. I believe that incorporating the full bells and whistles, not only enhances the immersive experience for players but also introduces unique mechanics that will make taking control of the boat during gameplay feel both realistic and engaging.