Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In May 2021, we spoke to Environment Artist Adrien Paguet-Brunella about his work on Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Listen along or skip to the segments you're interested in using the time stamps below. Find links to all the artists and talks mentioned on our blog:
0:00 - Intro
1:26 - How did you end up at Ubisoft?
3:16 - Version of SpeedTree started in & used on AC
4:37 - The challenge of vegetation in AC Valhalla & Art Direction
7:45 - Solving the artistic purpose behind environment design
9:38 - Researching vegetation & narrowing down selection
11:40 - A historical perspective on landscapes
13:09 - Adrien's mantra & technical considerations in editing process
16:45 - GDC talk teaser & talks that inspire us
17:28 - The recipe for trees in AC Valhalla; balancing realism and stylization
22:25 - Students: show your work.
25:27 - Silhouettes & the need for boring trees
28:41 - Lighting + normals in canopies & forests
31:28 - Interactive constraints in AC's "matrix"
33:13 - Mid-production introduction of collectible berries & mushrooms
34:12 - Modeling process in AC Valhalla
36:42 - Looking for LODs & Collision in portfolios
37:58 - Deresolution process & LOD tips
39:40 - Photogrammetry: what role does it play today?
41:23 - SpeedTree as an art tool (and a mention of the Heather Society)
43:30 - Advice for aspiring environment artists: we're in it together
52:46 - Innovation & experimentation
1:02:40 - The eyebrows of the world
1:08:12 - The little things: working on grass & small assets
1:14:38 - Layers of history in AC Valhalla
1:15:12 - Outro with 2021 GDC Talk Promo
In May 2021, we spoke to Environment Artist Adrien Paguet-Brunella about his work on Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Listen along or skip to the segments you're interested in using the time stamps below. Find links to all the artists and talks mentioned on our blog:
0:00 - Intro
1:26 - How did you end up at Ubisoft?
3:16 - Version of SpeedTree started in & used on AC
4:37 - The challenge of vegetation in AC Valhalla & Art Direction
7:45 - Solving the artistic purpose behind environment design
9:38 - Researching vegetation & narrowing down selection
11:40 - A historical perspective on landscapes
13:09 - Adrien's mantra & technical considerations in editing process
16:45 - GDC talk teaser & talks that inspire us
17:28 - The recipe for trees in AC Valhalla; balancing realism and stylization
22:25 - Students: show your work.
25:27 - Silhouettes & the need for boring trees
28:41 - Lighting + normals in canopies & forests
31:28 - Interactive constraints in AC's "matrix"
33:13 - Mid-production introduction of collectible berries & mushrooms
34:12 - Modeling process in AC Valhalla
36:42 - Looking for LODs & Collision in portfolios
37:58 - Deresolution process & LOD tips
39:40 - Photogrammetry: what role does it play today?
41:23 - SpeedTree as an art tool (and a mention of the Heather Society)
43:30 - Advice for aspiring environment artists: we're in it together
52:46 - Innovation & experimentation
1:02:40 - The eyebrows of the world
1:08:12 - The little things: working on grass & small assets
1:14:38 - Layers of history in AC Valhalla
1:15:12 - Outro with 2021 GDC Talk Promo
