Boss Trilogy - Legends of ShenZhou
Legends of SHENZHOU is a strategic board game inspired by Shan Hai Jing, an ancient Chinese text filled with mythical creatures and epic landscapes.
As the Lead Designer and Sculpture Model Designer, I created three boss characters—Chaos, Qilin, and Phoenix—by fusing Chinese mythology with unique creative influences. Every boss has a distinctive style and backstory that reflects the diverse inspirations behind the game.
CHAOS
By fusing Chinese mythological motifs with Lovecraftian elements, I envisioned Chaos as a colossal, awe-inspiring force that embodies ancient power.
PHOENIX
The Phoenix displays a symmetrical stance and an ascending pose, symbolizing rebirth and divine grace in Chinese culture.
QILIN
For Qilin, I highlighted the layered scales and flowing mane to convey its regal aura and its ties to Chinese dragon lore.
All three bosses were digitally sculpted in ZBrush, then optimized and split into parts for 3D printing. The final lighting and compositing were executed using a V-Ray-to-Nuke workflow, allowing me to highlight each creature's intricacies and dramatic shape.
I'm grateful for the support and guidance from my lead, Jiaxi Zou, and the contributions of my talented colleagues, including Brian Sumali and Anita Jiang, who worked on heroes and additional creature models. Their input helped shape a cohesive visual direction for the project.
This design is the exclusive property of Z-McFive, LLC and is showcased here with permission.