TLoS Elemental Class Fire

Fire; bringer of light, heat, comfort... and destruction. A primal force of nature. Throughout Spyro's rich history, the Fire element has remained a staple ability; the 'old reliable' in his varied arsenal and usually the first to be attained and mastered. In 'A New Beginning' this elemental ability class was latently triggered after Spyro was subjected to trauma caused by Sparx's suffering at the hands of one of Cynder's minions in the Swamp. Since this elemental attack was to be visualised using additive effects in a high dynamic range, the need for legibility against the various environmental backdrops of TLoS was critical... prompting the team to ensure that the lighting of all worlds was relatively low level, with regions of deep shadow and localised light sources to add variation. For in the darker places of TLoS the fire element burned its brightest, and this was true for all the elemental effects. Red was to be the over-arching colour key for all the flame based attacks.

By way of TLoS lore, the Fire element is governed by focused control over breathing and expressed by exhalation, yet 'A New Beginning' was to bring something fresh to the offering table by way of a more sophisticated melee combat system. It was decided then that while an elemental breath weapon was 'equipped', Spyro's physical attacks should represent that element active at the time. To support this notion, 3-dimensional trail effects were added that marked the motion and passage of Spyro's body through space as he attacked. While the Fire element was active, Spyro's horns, tail and wings would trail tendrils of gleaming red energy as they moved through an attack, prompting the idea that perhaps the Fire ability could be expressed in ways other than token exhalation. The Fire Fury was to be a testiment to this notion, and this further engineered discussions amongst the concept team that elemental fire could be controlled, shaped and possibly projected in other ways...

And why not? The ability to engulf horns, claws and tails in sheaths of flame for more devastating attacks would certainly add an impressive new dimension to dragon combat. Imagine if you will a fully trained and focused Fire dragon, wings ablaze with writhing flame... and lo those burning wings snap forth at speed to cast a wave of fire... I'd have liked to have gone to that place. The concept piece seen here was altered a few times as we tried to get this iconic ability of Spyro's just right. Despite the effects being 'elements in motion', a strong shape for the components of Spyro's fire was important, to help establish a stylised sensibility in line with the overall design. A realistic flame would have been beautiful, but would not have alligned itself well with the TLoS style. Alive with colour and energy, the fire effects were certainly among the more breath-taking of things born out on a PS2 back in the day, and it was the esteemed Bruno Rime who lead the way in this regard, crafting many incredible effects that made Spyro's attacking abilities so rich and vibrant.