SSX Iconic Terrain Blog #2 - Ice Tunnels, Fissures, Single Ledges
dmcdonagh
2011-07-19
In our continuing 4-part blog series looking at Iconic Terrain in SSX, Art Director Dave Taylor continues this week with a look at Ice Tunnels, Fissures, and Single Ledges.
ICE TUNNELS
We’ve covered quarter-pipes, and of course the half-pipe. What about the three-quarter pipe made of freezing ice? The Ice Tunnels are our natural super-sized, bobsled runs commonly found in Antarctica and around the colder regions of the planet. We want to present players the choice of diving into these lightning-fast tunnels to rack up points and speed or sticking to the surface for the more direct path. Be careful though, they may be tempting to drop into, but sometimes the route may take you places you may not expect! Oh, and they tend to be pretty cold down there out of the sun…
FISSURES
When freezing snow and ice are put under a lot of pressure they tend to split and crack revealing almost endless chasms into oblivion. Early pioneers would spend weeks painstakingly traversing these deadly phenomena. Our SSX riders on the other hand see this as a great opportunity to show some style as they dodge and leap through fields of fissures at super high speed. What’s the point in dicing with death if you don’t do it in style? We added an extra challenge in that the most direct route is often the most challenging and requires almost perfect technique. Make your choice – weave to find a safer route or go for broke and trust your skills?
SINGLE LEDGES
The single ledge is a common occurrence in our world – a vertical cliff sides a narrow path by a fatal drop. Even a confident regular ‘boarder has probably tackled this type of terrain. But at high speed? While leaping across corners to shave down their time? While grinding the edge? With a couple of other riders? During a windy blizzard? Probably not. This Survival terrain for the beginner is a Race course for the veteran and a Trick environment for the expert.
