Showing posts with label robots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label robots. Show all posts

Sunday, December 21, 2014

PBL ROBOTS: 24 left on Kickstarter!


PBL ROBOTS the card and dice game is down to its last 24 hours on Kickstarter! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/robotcardgame/pbl-robots-dice-and-card-game



William Hessian and John "Sighless" Supinski have spent the last two months playing demo nights in every game store in greater Portland area, calling game stores across the country, e-mailing friends and family and posting everything on social media. Their goal was to raise $22,000 to print their brand new card and dice game PBL ROBOTS! This last week they had to turn up the volume on their effort and make a trip with 3 friends to New York City on a mission to play PBL ROBOTS with as many people as possible, in as many places as possible. The mission was a success as the trip generated over 6 thousand dollars in new donations on Kickstarter.


William and John started Hidden Ladder Games in Portland, Maine a year ago after deciding to develop the game and turn it into a real thing. William and John both belong to the Hidden Ladder Collective, a group of artists and musicians in Portland. This artist collective helped develop the game from the ground up, inventing characters, play testing and editing. Other local companies like Walker Film Productions helped create the game play video for the company. R Choice 2 Gaming in Portland, and Weekend Anime in Westbrook has hosted weekly demo events during the last two months and have been extremely supportive.


"The card game itself is a blend of Magic the Gathering, Risk and Settlers of Catan: only with giant Robots!" says William when explaining PBL ROBOTS. Each player own a giant robot and builds cards on top of the robot to upgrade armor and increase the power. Other cards like crew members, hangars and action cards help develop a strategy. The game typically begins with a draft, where each player selects which card will be in their deck and not long after battles begin and the dice start rolling. Blow off all 4 limbs of the opponent robot and you win the game. The game itself is traditionally a 2 player head to head game, but has over 12 different variations, some for younger players and faster games and others for multi-player, tournament modes and puzzle modes. "The game can be played so many diverse ways that it appeals to wide range of people and a wide range of play styles."

Each game has 113 cards and comes with a variety of dice, a rule book and two control panel cheat sheet are also in the game box. This gives you everything you need to learn and play the game. With only 48 Hours left on the Kickstarter the pair of game developers are gearing up to place a giant order of 5 thousand games and will start to ship and sell them as soon as they arrive! You can find their Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/robotcardgame/pbl-robots-dice-and-card-game



Tuesday, May 20, 2014

ROBOT CARD GAME



A strategy card and dice game with unique stacking mechanics and inventive game play.

The PBL ROBOTS website has been launched. You can also read the earlier blog post all about the Ultimate ROBOT CARD GAME and see same game art that I created for it.
The Kickstarter for PBL ROBOTS runs from October 23, 2014 - December 23rd, 2014


Sunday, December 8, 2013

PBL ROBOTS: The Ultimate Robot Card Game

The robot card game that lets you build the ultimate robot and destroy your opponent. Pro Bionics League Robots is the culmination of all competition. In the future technology has surpassed athletics and sports are a test of the mind. This dice/card game forces starts you and your opponent(s) with a base robot that you upgrade with new armor during the battle, you hire crew, build hangers, you contact new pilots and play action cards and then make attacks to blow off limbs of the challenging robots. 

http://www.pblrobots.com


 The beginning of the game involves a simple draft circuit where you begin to pool your resources and then begin to make moves and actions to put yourself in the best position to make attacks and defenses by rolling dice. Above you can see a buff hanger which gives your robot an attack boost during the game and allows two crew members to enter the game. 
Action cards have various instant effects that can change the outcome of the game. The art seen above is for the card, "COMMABACK" which allows you to draw three cards after one of your Robot's limb is blown off. 

 Maxine Trinidad, Trace Law, Shero, and Pelpe Derdae make up some of the games most popular characters. In the background you can see one version of a robot you can build during a typical game of PBL ROBOTS.
 Each body part has upgrades of different levels and powers. The AracnaClaws are a level 3 head armor designed by crew member Tormax, fusing spider DNA with robot parts. His designs are a controversial addition to the league, but such popular and powerful designs have slowly made acceptance into the league over the years. Tormax may be one of the most bizarre characters on the PBL ROBOTS roster, but it is no doubt his ideas may be the future of the sport.
 Artwork of a PBL ROBOT in the middle of the game with many level one and level two upgrades making an attack. The Yahtzee Bazooka is the current shoulder weapon, which provides an additional attack after each combat. You can also see the pilot pit in the center of the robot. The real question is, what will this attack be? What did they roll?

The game itself was invented by William Hessian in 2001 and spent 10 years being developed and play-tested until William play-tested the game in 2013 with another Hidden Ladder Collective artist John Supinski. Directly after the game John made a comical bet that he gain control of the game with a role of a 7. A seven was rolled. The fate of die roll was meant to be, and William Hessian began a partnership with John Supinski in a deal that resurrected PBL ROBOTS into full gear. The die roll was like an epico beam that has blasted the game towards completion. William and John have also played each other 100 times and keep a running tally of their current score against each other.
The final artwork for this introduction to PBL ROBOTS: the ultimate robot card game is crew member Soda Fats! He gives you a larger card size and the ability to boost your attack and he constantly yells, "HOT DOGS FOR LIFE!"

Follow PBL ROBOTS as we work towards a North America release and kickstarter campaign:

http://www.pblrobots.com

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

ROBOPHANT painting

My newest 2 hour painting, ROBOPHANT is available for sale on my etsy shop. The robotic elephant only has a few days to live. If it is not purchased by May 9th at 3pm it will be destroyed live on my canvas kill live painting show. You can watch the painting show for free. May 9th is my 11th and final live painting show for this season. You can watch my canvas killing videos at vimeo.

Enjoy the pictures of the robotic elephant:

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Miniature Robots

One of my newest series, depicts these very small robots drawn with metallic pens, and color pencil on black composite board. An acrylic gloss medium is painted over top to give them a high gloss finish. Keep in mind these artworks are literally 1.5 inches square. Not much bigger than a US quarter.



I had originally planned this set of nine drawings to be awarded as "Wildo" prizes in a "Where's William Project". Basically, if you found me at certain locations (like my work or art events) and said "Wildo" to me, you would receive one of these original robot drawings. I have decided against this project, for the time being. Although I may resurrect the concept in the near future. Especially if anyone responds to the idea with any exuberance.

Instead, I have decided to make these nine robots be a part of another project, to be announced in the future. Since I scanned them in, I figured I would post them exclusively on my blog to give you a sneak peek at new art. I am working on a number of really cool projects and blog posts for the next few weeks and am excited to show them to you. If you enjoy my blog make sure to 'subscribe' (see the top right corner of the page).

For those that are finding me from craigslist advertisements, mnartists.org, or other sources; I welcome you to browse my blog and learn more about me and my artwork. You can see my official website at www.williamhessian.com and if you happen to be a collector, I would love for you to check out my art for sale on etsy.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Zombies VS Robot art

The Zombies Vs Robot drawing is finally finished. I finally got back to working on this image to have it done and framed in time for Steven's Square Art Centers' Zombie Carnival exhibition. The artwork pictured below was created with ink, pencil, water color and prismacolor pencils. You can see this drawing when it was half done, and also the pencil version which started about 15 months ago. By the way, the artwork in frame is on sale for $300, contact me if interested. 

I never got into Zombie movies much as a child, although the concept was something that interested me. In the last few years, Adam Hafermann, a close childhood friend and artist had gotten me to watch some of his favorite classic zombie movies. While many of the movies lacked a lot of common sense in my opinion, I did find the theme very intriguing.

On my own, I stumbled upon a concept which you can find in some of my previous art: Robots Vs Beasts. The concept is based on our choice as human beings of which way to go with our current existence. I feel we have only two real choices, and that is to become animals who live off the land, like indians or cave men (minus the lack of intelligence) and live free from exploiting the world and globalization; or else embrace our technology and use it to make ourselves immortal, which is probably only possible by becoming robots (or transferring our knowledge to them.) Those that choose neither beast or robot, will undoubtedly - and probably already have become.....zombies.

That is how the concept of this drawing came about. Here is my artist statement that accompanies the work on the gallery wall:

When humans have long merged into thoughtless zombies, only our cold robotic creations can stop ourselves from eating each other to death and ridding the world of what the human race has become. Cities will become vending machines for brain hungry moaning masses of flesh, while the robots we built will try to use our designed intelligence to systematically destroy the zombie nation. Humans have already lost, but who will prevail on this planet, Zombies or Robots?


the completed drawing


a close up view

on the walls at Steven's Square Art Center




william hessian (me) and kelsey ericson at the opening

Friday, September 19, 2008

Robot Vs Beast

mankind is dead. human beings have been ripped into two factions, those that have passed their knowledge to robots and those that have turned against intelligence and became primortal beasts. the two directions we are now faced with:

robot vs beast
a series of illustrations by me (william hessian)

I plan to create a number of pieces illustrating this theme. I also created a drawing featuring zombies and robots along the same lines: Zombie Vs Robots. Which is unfinished but plugging along.

Hope you enjoy.

The frame is some old thing I found at a garage sale. Quite a quirky little thing. Fits the piece.



The frame is some old thing I found at a garage sale. Quite a quirky little thing. Fits the piece.



You can also buy this drawing, it someone has not already on my etsy shop. If you check back to my blog often you will be seeing a lot more brand new artwork dealing with this theme. Meanwhile, I will be back to work on my Minneapolis Art Hunt.








Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Robots Vs Zombie Art

Zombies Vs Robots: because humans are already LOOOONG dead.

Ten months ago I started this drawing. I spent a few nights working on it, and proceeded to forget about it during moving locations and opening and moving my airbrushing business. Just a few days ago Kelsey (my girlfriend) asked me what I was going to do with it, since the drawing, in just pencil as seen if you click the link above, had been just sitting in the corner of our bedroom untouched. I said, "probably nothing" and moved it into our closet. Then I saw Stevens Square Center for the Arts had an open call for a Zombie show. I ran over to pull it out. Ten hours later. I am now at this spot. Nearing the finish, and entering it into the Zombie art show here in Minneapolis.



Zombies and Robots are themes that I really enjoy working with. I will also be posting my beast Vs robot drawing, that I hope to make into a series of works in the future. So bookmark my page and check back soon. Next month I will also feature this Zombie Art show and show off some of the fine works that will likely be on display. The first blog about this particular drawing showed it in the pencil drawing phase. Right as I started to ink the beast. Also make sure to browse around me past post to find lots on neat art projects I have done in the past.



Zombies Vs Robots: because humans are already LOOOONG dead.

You can now view the finished version of this drawing by clicking here.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Robot Bunny



Bearded Bunnies

Another bearded bunny added to my bearded bunny blog. This is my robot bunny. One year ago I created a robot bear and a robot cat, which sold immediately at my next show. I was proud of them, but did not continue with the series. I did adapt the concept into my bearded bunnies though, and this is the result. Remember, all of my bearded bunnies are for sale.

No Such Thing as a Free Bunny?

Wrong again! I have secretly decided to give away a free bunny to anyone that donates money to my art tour in 2008, see my previous post about this special offer, but keep it secret.


A Blogging Shame

I do really enjoy creating many bearded bunnies and them featuring on my blog. I think as the collection grows it will be rewarding to be able to click the bearded bunny tag and see the mass amounts of new creations I have come up with over the past few months. Leave me comments on the bunnies you enjoy! Or, as I mentioned above, prove it to me by purchasing a print at
etsy.


If you enjoyed this blog see my other bearded bunny blog posts

Plus you will probably enjoy my george mckin etsy feature and the open call to artists

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Robo Pee Pees and VayJays

Artists & Robots
If you have not already noticed: the artists of the world (musicians, visual artists, poets, & writers) are embracing the technological world. The examples of such are too many to even list. Robots, to many, have become the perfect symbol for the growing impending technological advances of our culture.



Robo Pee Pees and VayJays
Here are some brand new robot prints featuring some very impressive robot designs. I personally enjoy the plug and socket genitalia. Goad is the artist.

In Goad We Trust
Goad is an artist with an incredibly refined style. I have purchased one of his past sketchbooks and was extremely impressed with his drawing style. I keep track of him on myspace and often visit his personal site: www.ingoadwetrust.com




Monday, November 19, 2007

ROBOT vs ZOMBIES (work in progress)



WORK IN PROGRESS
This is a massive mixed media drawing that I am starting. I want to give an update of the drawing. The subject matter pits robots vs. zombies. Notice the appearence by Minnie at the top right.



PART of a SERIES
I have been continually interested in the theme of robots and zombies. As you can tell by the name of my blog. I think the two make great enemies, as they are both human spin offs but very opposite. I plan to do a number of works based on this subject and will be posting them here as they are created.

You can now view the finished version of this drawing by clicking here.

SLOBOT! Robot Toys by M.Heisler



SLOBOTS
Artist M.Heisler is a custom robot toy builder. His creations are a mix of modified toys, and custom build and painted parts. I am a huge fan of his creations and have been watching his works evolve. I have been a fan of the Japanese influenced Qee movement, which is basically a series of designer keychains which have evolved into larger sculptures, toys, bots, and artworks.



Slobots for SALE?
According to M. Heisler his creations are for sale (if not already sold). The slobots sell anywhere from 200- 400 dollars a peice and stand at approximately 8-12 inches. He also does commissioned works, which is a very exciting option for those looking for a custom toy robot that they have already dreamt of having. All available bots can be found on his website: http://www.mheisler.com/



How are they made?
Like most custom toy designers, or bot sculptors M. Heisler also handmakes all of his sculptures using polymer clays, found objects, the bot above even uses working LED lights, and other bits and pieces.

See more of his work:
http://www.slobots.com/
http://www.mheisler.com/
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