At GDC, see how Agents of Mayhem was crafted using physically-based rendering

Physically-based rendering is the new hot trend for more photorealism in game rendering, both real time and pre-rendered, but it doesn't have to be -- it can also be used to great effect in the production of stylized, cartoony, or otherwise surreal games.

At the 2017 Game Developers Conference, the largest event for game industry professionals in the world, James Taylor of Deep Silver Volition will showcase just how you can use PBR to make a strikingly stylized (and not at all photo-realistic) game like Agents of Mayhem.

In his talk on "'Agents of Mayhem': Physically-Based Materials in a Stylized Open-World," Taylor will speak to how the upcoming game is one of a new breed of graphically-stylized games using the PBR technique, and cover methods for balancing a full physically based pipeline with a distinct illustrative artistic style.

It promises to be a fruitful talk, as many topics will be covered, including: memory management of the additional specular textures, shader techniques, the importance of color choices and use of documentation to maintain the multifaceted style across multiple vendors and artists. While Taylor's talk is primarily focused on world materials, it will also touch lightly on the related material stylization of other disciplines. Don't miss it!

And this is just the beginning -- conference officials look forward to announcing many more great GDC 2017 sessions spanning a diverse array of game industry issues in the months ahead.

For now, don't miss the opportunity to save money by registering early -- the deadline to register for passes at a discounted rate is January 25, 2017. GDC 2017 itself will take place February 27th - March 3rd at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

For more information on GDC 2017, visit the show's official website, or subscribe to regular updates via Facebook, Twitter, or RSS.

Gamasutra and GDC are sibling organizations under parent UBM Americas