Dave Zhang
@godsavant.bsky.social
🎨 Concept Artist & Illustrator for video games like 📼 'Katana ZERO' and 🐉 'Double Dragon Gaiden'. He, him. 🚫 No AI/NFT stuff, please.
https://godsavant.carrd.co
https://godsavant.carrd.co
Pinned
Maybe, if Justin asks me to. Possibly for the DLC soundtrack?
November 25, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Maybe, if Justin asks me to. Possibly for the DLC soundtrack?
That last one is a testament to the peril of too many cooks in the kitchen--we basically spent the entire day debating color choices, with me creating a duplicate layer, re-exporting, and uploading a new version each time someone suggested "maybe tinge the water a few shades darker" or smth. 😩
November 25, 2025 at 5:32 AM
That last one is a testament to the peril of too many cooks in the kitchen--we basically spent the entire day debating color choices, with me creating a duplicate layer, re-exporting, and uploading a new version each time someone suggested "maybe tinge the water a few shades darker" or smth. 😩
I'm often reticent to show early sketches b/c they look bad. But not doing so also spreads the idea that concept art must look like production-quality illustrations.
So here was the process for the #KatanaZERO DLC art that's my Pinned post right now.
Middle one was partly drawn by Vasco Mariano.
So here was the process for the #KatanaZERO DLC art that's my Pinned post right now.
Middle one was partly drawn by Vasco Mariano.
November 25, 2025 at 5:32 AM
I'm often reticent to show early sketches b/c they look bad. But not doing so also spreads the idea that concept art must look like production-quality illustrations.
So here was the process for the #KatanaZERO DLC art that's my Pinned post right now.
Middle one was partly drawn by Vasco Mariano.
So here was the process for the #KatanaZERO DLC art that's my Pinned post right now.
Middle one was partly drawn by Vasco Mariano.
But they at least gave you a copy for free, right?
Right…?
Right…?
November 25, 2025 at 2:18 AM
But they at least gave you a copy for free, right?
Right…?
Right…?
Thanks, and same to you! 😁
November 22, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Thanks, and same to you! 😁
You can wishlist the game on Steam here:
DiceVaders on Steam
Build an army of alien invaders to invade the Earth in DiceVaders, the roguelike dice game set in the same universe as StarVaders!
store.steampowered.com
November 22, 2025 at 12:15 AM
You can wishlist the game on Steam here:
I confess, I'm a little sad I didn't get to draw any of the human characters (StarVaders had some kickass character designs), but given the tight deadline on this one, I think this was ultimately the right decision.
November 22, 2025 at 12:14 AM
I confess, I'm a little sad I didn't get to draw any of the human characters (StarVaders had some kickass character designs), but given the tight deadline on this one, I think this was ultimately the right decision.
At last, here's my capsule art for DiceVaders , a dice-based strategy game by Pengonauts! Or is it Dice◈Vaders...?
It's a dice-based follow-up to the roguelite deckbuilder StarVaders, but this time you play as the alien invaders from the first game.
It's a dice-based follow-up to the roguelite deckbuilder StarVaders, but this time you play as the alien invaders from the first game.
November 22, 2025 at 12:11 AM
At last, here's my capsule art for DiceVaders , a dice-based strategy game by Pengonauts! Or is it Dice◈Vaders...?
It's a dice-based follow-up to the roguelite deckbuilder StarVaders, but this time you play as the alien invaders from the first game.
It's a dice-based follow-up to the roguelite deckbuilder StarVaders, but this time you play as the alien invaders from the first game.
Can I ask why? It's looking great so far.
November 14, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Can I ask why? It's looking great so far.
Oh god, which game did it happen to this time?
November 11, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Oh god, which game did it happen to this time?
An excellent write-up. I recently tried Prodeus, and this was a big problem there.
Most enemies are brown-grey blobs with glowing eyes, so the only way to distinguish them was to wait till they attack.
Imagine trying to pick out the zombie with the shotgun in the 0.5 seconds before it shoots you.
Most enemies are brown-grey blobs with glowing eyes, so the only way to distinguish them was to wait till they attack.
Imagine trying to pick out the zombie with the shotgun in the 0.5 seconds before it shoots you.
November 10, 2025 at 5:40 PM
An excellent write-up. I recently tried Prodeus, and this was a big problem there.
Most enemies are brown-grey blobs with glowing eyes, so the only way to distinguish them was to wait till they attack.
Imagine trying to pick out the zombie with the shotgun in the 0.5 seconds before it shoots you.
Most enemies are brown-grey blobs with glowing eyes, so the only way to distinguish them was to wait till they attack.
Imagine trying to pick out the zombie with the shotgun in the 0.5 seconds before it shoots you.
Apologies to anyone who follows me for my art for all the non-art related posts, but...I'm probably gonna keep doing it.
So yeah, sorry. 🤷♂️
So yeah, sorry. 🤷♂️
November 8, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Apologies to anyone who follows me for my art for all the non-art related posts, but...I'm probably gonna keep doing it.
So yeah, sorry. 🤷♂️
So yeah, sorry. 🤷♂️
(This is after decades of Weyland-Yutani tech having zero continuity between entries; their weapons in Colonial Marines were indistinguishable from Armat's design-wise, and in Alien 3 they literally just carried Armat Pulse Rifles painted black.)
November 8, 2025 at 6:47 AM
(This is after decades of Weyland-Yutani tech having zero continuity between entries; their weapons in Colonial Marines were indistinguishable from Armat's design-wise, and in Alien 3 they literally just carried Armat Pulse Rifles painted black.)
Between this film and Alien: Romulus, it's cool to see elements from the games make it to the big screen.
For example, Badlands borrows Weyland-Yutani's signature 'white w/blue glowy bits' style from Aliens: Fireteam Elite!
If spin-off media comes up with good ideas, why not incorporate them?
For example, Badlands borrows Weyland-Yutani's signature 'white w/blue glowy bits' style from Aliens: Fireteam Elite!
If spin-off media comes up with good ideas, why not incorporate them?
November 8, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Between this film and Alien: Romulus, it's cool to see elements from the games make it to the big screen.
For example, Badlands borrows Weyland-Yutani's signature 'white w/blue glowy bits' style from Aliens: Fireteam Elite!
If spin-off media comes up with good ideas, why not incorporate them?
For example, Badlands borrows Weyland-Yutani's signature 'white w/blue glowy bits' style from Aliens: Fireteam Elite!
If spin-off media comes up with good ideas, why not incorporate them?
Just saw Predator: Badlands, and it's fantastic! 👍
Such a fresh take on the IP, it has real heart and develops the Alien/Predator shared universe while taking influence from both properties' rich legacies in comics and video games.
Go see it if you can, promise it's not like The Predator (2018)!
Such a fresh take on the IP, it has real heart and develops the Alien/Predator shared universe while taking influence from both properties' rich legacies in comics and video games.
Go see it if you can, promise it's not like The Predator (2018)!
November 8, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Just saw Predator: Badlands, and it's fantastic! 👍
Such a fresh take on the IP, it has real heart and develops the Alien/Predator shared universe while taking influence from both properties' rich legacies in comics and video games.
Go see it if you can, promise it's not like The Predator (2018)!
Such a fresh take on the IP, it has real heart and develops the Alien/Predator shared universe while taking influence from both properties' rich legacies in comics and video games.
Go see it if you can, promise it's not like The Predator (2018)!
Yeah, I do...my sense of timing is bad, and I also don't like the genre of bubbly J-pop music that these games usually use.
No "rabu rabu, doki doki" for me! 💔💔
No "rabu rabu, doki doki" for me! 💔💔
November 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Yeah, I do...my sense of timing is bad, and I also don't like the genre of bubbly J-pop music that these games usually use.
No "rabu rabu, doki doki" for me! 💔💔
No "rabu rabu, doki doki" for me! 💔💔
When character & art design I love is handcuffed to a genre I fucking hate... 😩
November 7, 2025 at 6:38 PM
When character & art design I love is handcuffed to a genre I fucking hate... 😩
Games Y'all (@gamesyall.bsky.social) is a free monthly meetup for devs around Austin, TX! Highly recommended.
The venues rotate each month, but it's always a great time to check out various game demos and chat with peeps in the industry.
The venues rotate each month, but it's always a great time to check out various game demos and chat with peeps in the industry.
November 6, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Games Y'all (@gamesyall.bsky.social) is a free monthly meetup for devs around Austin, TX! Highly recommended.
The venues rotate each month, but it's always a great time to check out various game demos and chat with peeps in the industry.
The venues rotate each month, but it's always a great time to check out various game demos and chat with peeps in the industry.
Oh, for real?! 😮
I haven't touched the Joan of Arc campaign since the original game, that's awesome!
I haven't touched the Joan of Arc campaign since the original game, that's awesome!
November 6, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Oh, for real?! 😮
I haven't touched the Joan of Arc campaign since the original game, that's awesome!
I haven't touched the Joan of Arc campaign since the original game, that's awesome!
The same is true of Age of Empires II, which has had an unprecedented revival of new units, civilizations, and paid expansions after laying dormant for twenty-odd years.
It heartens me to see old games be made new with just a bit of love & care, instead of put behind glass to gather dust. 😊
(🧵4/4)
It heartens me to see old games be made new with just a bit of love & care, instead of put behind glass to gather dust. 😊
(🧵4/4)
November 6, 2025 at 1:07 AM
The same is true of Age of Empires II, which has had an unprecedented revival of new units, civilizations, and paid expansions after laying dormant for twenty-odd years.
It heartens me to see old games be made new with just a bit of love & care, instead of put behind glass to gather dust. 😊
(🧵4/4)
It heartens me to see old games be made new with just a bit of love & care, instead of put behind glass to gather dust. 😊
(🧵4/4)
Then in 2021, Diablo II: Resurrected introduced fresh balance changes and even new items to the game.
Suddenly, Throw Weapon builds weren't a joke anymore. The Act II merc was no longer the only viable companion. Even the best loot farms rotated thanks to new Terror Zones. Preposterous!
(🧵3/4)
Suddenly, Throw Weapon builds weren't a joke anymore. The Act II merc was no longer the only viable companion. Even the best loot farms rotated thanks to new Terror Zones. Preposterous!
(🧵3/4)
November 6, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Then in 2021, Diablo II: Resurrected introduced fresh balance changes and even new items to the game.
Suddenly, Throw Weapon builds weren't a joke anymore. The Act II merc was no longer the only viable companion. Even the best loot farms rotated thanks to new Terror Zones. Preposterous!
(🧵3/4)
Suddenly, Throw Weapon builds weren't a joke anymore. The Act II merc was no longer the only viable companion. Even the best loot farms rotated thanks to new Terror Zones. Preposterous!
(🧵3/4)
I used to play Diablo II, a game whose last balance patch was in 2010.
For over a decade, the game was solved: we definitively knew the best classes/builds, the most efficient loot farms, and even the barter value of individual items among players. Stuff was codified, like moves in chess.
(🧵2/4)
For over a decade, the game was solved: we definitively knew the best classes/builds, the most efficient loot farms, and even the barter value of individual items among players. Stuff was codified, like moves in chess.
(🧵2/4)
November 6, 2025 at 1:07 AM
I used to play Diablo II, a game whose last balance patch was in 2010.
For over a decade, the game was solved: we definitively knew the best classes/builds, the most efficient loot farms, and even the barter value of individual items among players. Stuff was codified, like moves in chess.
(🧵2/4)
For over a decade, the game was solved: we definitively knew the best classes/builds, the most efficient loot farms, and even the barter value of individual items among players. Stuff was codified, like moves in chess.
(🧵2/4)
I was chatting with a friend who's big into competitive Age of Empires II, and I realized something:
I'm fascinated when a game remake/remaster revitalizes aspects of the old game that were once set in stone.
(🧵1/4)
I'm fascinated when a game remake/remaster revitalizes aspects of the old game that were once set in stone.
(🧵1/4)
November 6, 2025 at 1:07 AM
I was chatting with a friend who's big into competitive Age of Empires II, and I realized something:
I'm fascinated when a game remake/remaster revitalizes aspects of the old game that were once set in stone.
(🧵1/4)
I'm fascinated when a game remake/remaster revitalizes aspects of the old game that were once set in stone.
(🧵1/4)
Only true MOS heads can finish their burger without the damn rice bun falling to pieces.
So, uhh, not me. 😑
So, uhh, not me. 😑
November 5, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Only true MOS heads can finish their burger without the damn rice bun falling to pieces.
So, uhh, not me. 😑
So, uhh, not me. 😑
Reposted by Dave Zhang
Hello! Katana ZINE 2026 registration has begun! If you're interested, go here for full details: discord.com/channels/814...
You can check out our previous work at katanazine.com
#KatanaZERO
You can check out our previous work at katanazine.com
#KatanaZERO
Discord - Group Chat That’s All Fun & Games
Discord is great for playing games and chilling with friends, or even building a worldwide community. Customize your own space to talk, play, and hang out.
discord.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Hello! Katana ZINE 2026 registration has begun! If you're interested, go here for full details: discord.com/channels/814...
You can check out our previous work at katanazine.com
#KatanaZERO
You can check out our previous work at katanazine.com
#KatanaZERO