Apex Legends dev reveals original weapon concepts for R-301, R-99, more

Ryan Lastimosa, 3D Art Director at Respawn Entertainment, has revealed concept designs for a handful of fan-favorite Apex Legends/Titanfall weapons, including the R-301, R-99, Longbow and Peacekeeper. 

Fans have been captivated with the incredible creativity and world-building demonstrated in Apex Legends. This includes the unique design and lore given to all legends, as well as the creatively crafted weapons. 

While weapon design does not tend to be given as much attention as other aspects, Lastimosa has shared some incredible concepts for a host of Apex’s most popular guns. The concepts offer an insight into the incredible detail artists must consider when crafting new weapons. 

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On April 24, Lastimosa shared a host of concept images relating to the R-101, R-201, R-301 and Longbow DMR. The images give fans an insight into the weapon design process, showing how artists take simple silhouettes to fully-fledged weapons. 

Similarly, the concepts even provide background and lore to certain weapons. For example, the R-301 AR from Apex Legends came about as a result of the IMC – the Interstellar Manufacturing Corporation from Titanfall – wanting to improve the rifle’s external structure and protect it from overheating. 

Here’s a series of concepts of the R101, R201, R301 rifles and the DMR from Titanfall and Apex Legends. This weapon has evolved a great deal from 2010 to now. The R101 platform was to originally be a modular system that allowed rapid field customization. The user could switch pic.twitter.com/xyt5CWu7nf

— Ryan Lastimosa (@brockhaurd) April 25, 2020

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Fans have been consistently impressed with the attention to detail and dedication to narrative shown by Respawn’s art designers.

Lastimosa also shared concept designs for other weapons, including the R-99 SMG and fan-favorite shotgun, the Peacekeeper. 

Concept drawings and early images show how involved artists are in the weapon development process, even drawing how the weapon’s reload animation will look.

Art and concept of the R97, R97-CN, and R99 from Titanfall 1, 2, and Apex Legends. The first concept for the R97 was completed around 2012 and the concept of the current version of the R99 was completed in 2017. The R97 was heavily inspired by the legendary Heckler and Koch MP5 pic.twitter.com/bOJIQ2OXmb

— Ryan Lastimosa (@brockhaurd) April 20, 2020

Concept art for the Peacekeeper, a lever action, energy actuated shotgun in Apex Legends. New weapons start with silhouettes to define the shape and working parts to indicate a weapon’s “snap read”. Players can adjust their strategy once a visual indication is made at distance. pic.twitter.com/8LMt8nzjvP

— Ryan Lastimosa (@brockhaurd) April 20, 2020

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The concept designs reinforce how Apex Legends was inspired by Titanfall, and expanded upon the already rigorous weapon design process demonstrated in the Respawn developed series. 

It’s no surprise that Apex Legends has become as popular as it is when considering the lengths Respawn have gone to in order to create an immersive world. 

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