Lil' Inferno (TF2 Cosmetic Item)

The Lil' Inferno is a cosmetic item created for TF2 that I conceived, modeled, and rigged. It's a miniature fireplace made to replace the Pyro's usual gas canister attached to their back. The item was textured by Aeon Bollig [https://www.artstation.com/void001] and their partner using substance designer to create the bricks. I created the thumbnail in Source Filmmaker.

Once I had the idea in my head, I was quick to design and model it in blender. Inspired by the cartoonish nature of Fortnite, I exaggerated some of the proportions and and drew up concept art for the texture (which you can see here: https://i.imgur.com/YD8YZvX.png). While the texture was being created and finalized, I rigged jigglebones to make the puffer and log turner on the sides bounce and rattle around. For my first time rigging little objects like that, I was really pleased with how it came out. The video shows it off a bit!