Concept art vs. character models: A visual comparison (gallery)

Every video game character you’ve ever loved (or hated) started as a rough sketch during early development stages. Some artists nail the appearance of the hero, villain, monster, or scenery on the first few tries, but designers usually go through dozens of doodles before reaching the final, definite look.

Check out this hand-drawn concept art from 15 popular characters and see how much they resemble their finished in-game 3D models.

Halo 4 — Cortana Cortana (Halo 4) Master Chief's virtual girlfriend looked rather ghoulish during the early development stages of Halo 4. Source: Samir Torres
Batman: Arkham City — Batman Batman (Batman: Arkham City) Only demented criminals would dare mess with the bat if he looked like a robot. Unfortunately for Batman, every criminal in Gotham City is a basket case. Source: Samir Torres
Portal 2 — Chell Chell (Portal 2) Portal's silent protagonist looks ready to join Wheatley in space in that odd, red outfit. Source: Samir Torres
Resident Evil 5 — Sheva Alomar Sheva Alomar (Resident Evil 5) Something seems missing in Sheva's early sketch. Ah yes, cleavage. Source: Samir Torres
The Walking Dead — Lee Everett Lee Everett (The Walking Dead) This is exactly how players look before (left) and after (right) playing this game. Source: Samir Torres
Metroid: Other M — Samus Aran Samus Aran (Metroid: Other M) Samus's power suit hasn't changed much since the original Metroid, but it doesn't need to when it looks this cool. Source: Samir Torres
Bayonetta — Bayonetta Bayonetta (Bayonetta) Mari Shimazaki's early drawings pretty much nailed Bayonetta's distinctive look right off the bat. I still think it's kind of gross that the witch's suit is made out of hair. Source: Samir Torres
Darksiders — War War (Darksiders) The horseman's Abyssal Armor looks a bit different on paper than in the game, but both strike fear into War's enemies. Source: Samir Torres
Gears of War 3 — Anya Stroud Anya Stroud (Gears of War 3) Besides the haircut, Anya's original design is almost identical to her in-game model. Source: Samir Torres
BioShock 2 — Little Sister Little Sister (BioShock 2) Which one of these Little Sisters would you harvest? Source: Samir Torres
Mass Effect 3 — Kai Leng Kai Leng (Mass Effect 3) Any of these designs would also fit well in either Metal Gear Solid or Deus Ex. Source: Samir Torres
Tomb Raider — Lara Croft Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) Giants boobs are out in the new Tomb Raider, but tank tops and bruises are still in. Source: Samir Torres
SoulCalibur V — Ivy Valentine Ivy Valentine (SoulCalibur V) Someone had fun designing this alternate costume. Ivy's absurd cleavage leaves her opponents dazed and prevents them from fighting back. Source: Samir Torres
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune — Nathan Drake Nathan Drake (Uncharted: Drake's Fortune) Drake's look didn't change much over the course of Uncharted's development. I dig the raglan tee from the concept art, but I prefer the haircut from the final design. Source: Samir Torres
DmC: Devil May Cry — Kat Kat (DmC: Devil May Cry) I'm not sure if that is Kat's first draft on the left, but her in-game model looks virtually identical to it. The 3D artists added more cleavage, of course. Source: Samir Torres