![VST - Combat Frame AI [concept WIP]](https://img5.xaiju.com/storage/7/zq/ap/d38796-019e8767-02ac-7a4c-9b96-b3199fe95bbd.jpg)
![VST - Combat Frame AI [concept WIP]](https://img5.xaiju.com/storage/8/pm/in/d38796-019e8767-02b4-7db9-b83e-cc09aa876370.jpg)
VST - Combat Frame AI [concept WIP]
Added 2019-11-24 10:06:59 +0000 UTCAnd now for something completely different!
I thought about it, and especially after Vale's loooong production time behind the curtains, I decided against doing that again, and instead share progress with all of you along the way. That's why you all pledge to me, to help support my work, so I want to stop simply waiting until it's complete all the time. It makes time between posts much longer, and I remember posting WIPs much more often, so if you miss that, tell me! I hope you'll be happy to know I'd like to get back into it.
I'm sure this probably comes out of nowhere for a lot of you, though I've mentioned it in streams, that I'd been working on VST, the final of the 5 AI Apex Frames in my story, and that he was pretty different in a lot of ways.
VST, whose callsign/common name I don't know yet, is the 'Combat Frame' model prototype from Kaltag. All of the Apex Frames are Kaltag's pride and joy, their showcase of just how versatile their technology can be, and are almost always present at the Katrician capitol city, or aboard their flagship. Each is designed to be a forerunner of tech and a display showcase of sorts to entice clients or foreign sovereigns into doing business with Kaltag. As a brief summary:
ARA is a 'standard frame' model, designed to showcase learning, adaptability, large-bandwidth multitasking and optimization.
Warning is a ' compact frame' model, showcasing sizes suitable for remote work, tight spaces, crew management and maintaining order.
Zeta is also a 'standard frame', but more hardware focused, as she can interface with a huge amount of ships, and displays their knowledge of trade and compatibility with other companies and vessels, as well as being the primary go-to face for crew to 'speak' to the ships.
Vale is their 'agile frame', as you can guess, is capable of flight in a variety of gravitational fields and atmospheres, resistant to several types of radiation and magnetic fields, showing off Kaltag's AI reliability and ability to imitate delicate organic traits (like flight), and emergency recovery.
By this logic, VST is the 'combat frame', as mentioned. VST's head unit can be removed at will and dock into a starship's bridge to manage weaponry and active shielding, but most of the time employs this large quadruped beast of a machine that is fast and packs a hard punch. VST's quad frame can leap extreme distances, especially in microgravity, such as capital-to-capital ship combat, and, too small to often be tracked effectively by large weaponry, perform virus-like infiltration and infection of opposing ships, clawing and gnashing through the interior, or, on large planetary surface battles, close distances fast, boasting a wide range of survival tactics and hardware.
Other VST models don't employ the quadruped concept here, they are mostly production-line combat robots that more closely resemble the standard frame. This VST, like the other Apex Frames, is quite special.
He is also not particularly well suited to social interaction, as does not speak common, and mostly only understandable to other AI. Currently the names in my head for this violent good boy are something like 'Broadside', 'Serpent', or the like...
Ha, look at me, rambling on like some wacky furry scifi fanfic. SORRY! ARA for scale.
Anyway, as the title says.. WIP! I like a good chunk of what I have, but I'll continue to work on his design for a while. I'll be sure to share more as I go. Thank you guys for the patience!
Comments
VST has a great design! Though would he have a larger beast shaped member is his design was animalistic based?
Alexander Bowman
2019-12-08 20:04:06 +0000 UTCwe sure warning will be mounting it?
Habilon
2019-11-29 01:54:21 +0000 UTCOoo I really like the versions at the bottom
StormbladeF22
2019-11-27 22:37:50 +0000 UTCGood timing! And thanks!
FluffKevlar
2019-11-26 05:11:08 +0000 UTCIm happy to hear it! :D
FluffKevlar
2019-11-26 05:10:46 +0000 UTCYeah that's very true. I may let him speak, it just won't be through lipsync. Probably a synthesized voice aloud
FluffKevlar
2019-11-26 05:10:30 +0000 UTCThat im not sure yet on
FluffKevlar
2019-11-26 05:09:16 +0000 UTCThanks! Im pretty happy with the shape too
FluffKevlar
2019-11-26 04:45:05 +0000 UTCYeah some of the early concepts felt too sergal for me. Wings or repulsors are also a good idea
FluffKevlar
2019-11-26 04:44:38 +0000 UTCKaltag is technically separate but katric gets most of their hardware from them exclusively
FluffKevlar
2019-11-26 04:43:32 +0000 UTCThanks for the detailed and enthusiastic comment :D I'm glad the design pulls through in those ways!
FluffKevlar
2019-11-26 04:41:50 +0000 UTCYeah, exactly! Thanks!
FluffKevlar
2019-11-26 04:40:03 +0000 UTCYou know it's coming
FluffKevlar
2019-11-26 03:25:44 +0000 UTCI'm sure it will, too!
FluffKevlar
2019-11-26 03:25:34 +0000 UTCThank you :D Means a lot to hear!
FluffKevlar
2019-11-26 03:25:27 +0000 UTCI was told that too, seems like a nice design! I've not played it myself
FluffKevlar
2019-11-25 15:54:05 +0000 UTCI'm sure he'll be mounting some people, haha
FluffKevlar
2019-11-25 15:53:39 +0000 UTC...VST probably triggers Warning SO much...
Data Prowler
2019-11-25 11:20:50 +0000 UTC(So many good comments already!) I really Like the design with a higher mechanical element to the face. As a dog owner, I know that SOoo many emotional expressions can be conveyed thru head, ear, tongue as well as tail and body positioning. Oh the potential!
Ramation
2019-11-25 10:54:54 +0000 UTCThis guy is rad as hell! I would love to see him a fully painted finished pic some day.
Deciem X
2019-11-24 23:38:39 +0000 UTCWarning now has a calvary mount! XD He's super cute, FK!
IamUnknown
2019-11-24 22:20:58 +0000 UTCGreat design, but BOY does this make me worried about what people will suggest
sICKtWIST
2019-11-24 22:15:12 +0000 UTCI can't wait to see the inevitable lewd of this one
Acetheeevee
2019-11-24 22:11:39 +0000 UTCNice work i really like it. It reminds me a bit of Blade Wolf from Metal Gear Revengeance
max72590
2019-11-24 21:57:30 +0000 UTCHoly moly that picture of VST licking ARA is cute. That needs to be expanded upon!
TouchFluffyTail
2019-11-24 19:28:56 +0000 UTCHey, it's stuff like this that I think sets you apart from other artists out there. You really dedicate time and effort into plotting every detail in your creations and seeing that they all work well together in your own cannon universe. I really enjoy stuff like that, it's actually super inspiring.
AviatorSoul
2019-11-24 18:11:37 +0000 UTCI love the faceless look. It immediately gives it a more impersonal, feral feel, which is appropriate for its role. Considering how it relates to the derivative models as the apex frame, I'd actually love to see a humanoid VST from another ship going into combat mode and switching into that sort of feral, predatory persona. This also reminds me somewhat of Warhammer 40k's titans. They talk a lot about how its difficult for the pilots to interface with the AI in them because they can literally be feral, and maintaining control takes enormous willpower. It's a machine built to destroy and kill, and it wants to HUNT. Letting it do that can be incredibly effective, but it's taking you with it, and you might not come back intact. With VST, I can see Zeta and Vale having to work together to reign him in just enough for what they need to do during combat. Or little moments like catching the ship's guns tracking another ship before they've told him to engage. But outside of combat, I can see those protocols lending him to being very protective of his crew. He's modeled after a GOOD BOY for a reason! I'm imagining him initially being very wary and standoffish with Nytro, but after he proves himself or something, VST extends that friendliness to him, too. Or suddenly protects him in a dangerous situation or something. Very cool concept, and I love that he's extending the boundaries of your anthroid design more than "here's another robot furry but this one LIKES GUNS!" ;D Please do share rambling descriptions of things like this more in the future. Honestly, the blurbs you gave here for each of the others and the detailed overview of VST are good practice for proper character introductions and reference sheets. This is the sort of juicy worldbuilding info I crave! <3
Volpethrope
2019-11-24 17:50:08 +0000 UTCNeat design! I've been wondering though, is Kaltag a government entity, or a private company? Now that they have essentially a combat soldier in their ranks I'm becoming more curious about their involvement in your world. Like is this guy for personal defense, or waging war, or just selling to someone else who wants to wage war? So many questions ^_^
Diamondstorm
2019-11-24 17:42:25 +0000 UTCWoah, now that is unexpected. I had no idea your final AI was going to look like that! Really reminds me of Blade Wolf from Metal Gear Rising Revengeance. Very cool! Of course, considering the primary art you do, I also expect that he will featured for some feral-on-anthro action?
ExtremistLine
2019-11-24 17:34:03 +0000 UTCLooks good (though I have to admit the headshots made me think of a sergal at first). Maybe a detachable wing/repulsor unit to finish off the 'draconic' look?
Adrian V. Nunenkamp
2019-11-24 17:21:08 +0000 UTCWell since they are a combat unit and can cause virus like attacks on other systems, how about “Viru”. It’s short for virulent (extremely harmful or severe disease, also can mean something bitterly hostile),
Okami Freak
2019-11-24 17:15:29 +0000 UTCGood boy
R S
2019-11-24 17:02:49 +0000 UTCAlso since it is named VST, how does Vostok sound?
DarkWolfElite
2019-11-24 16:45:44 +0000 UTCLooking at the design for the head, this looks amazing! I always was a big fan of these sort of shapes when it came to head concepts. One of my long time sonas (Draconix) has a similar but more elongated praying mantis style head (minus a mouth, basically like if Gromit and Blade Wolf combined and had insect/cyberpunk designs). Long story short, keep it up because that looks amazing!
DarkWolfElite
2019-11-24 16:40:42 +0000 UTCI love the design. So if I read this right, other than causing physical damage to other ships, the VST does a sort of cyber warfare on opposing ships?
Avaricious
2019-11-24 16:22:02 +0000 UTCFirst of all, I absolutely love the rambling! 2nd, I (personally) really like the idea of them not being able to speak, but communicating through action and lights/symbols on their face (face-shield?). Anyway, Keep up the good work and I can't wait to see their final!
Cody
2019-11-24 16:06:22 +0000 UTCThis is cool. I and other Patrons have been wanting to see some more feral stuff from you, so this is great timing. Also, "Squirrel"
2019-11-24 15:59:26 +0000 UTCLke How it looks like a Protogen face. I did something similar with one of my characters. Having mask/helmet he places on to enhance his sight and send massages.
BluePhantom90
2019-11-24 15:08:05 +0000 UTCFluffKevlar, I know you're wanting a "violent kill monster", but honestly, this AI SHOULD be able to talk. If Kaltag is able to fit a fully functional AI into Warning, then having a full AI in this murderbot should be simple. As for talking, it's a robot. He has speakers. Now his personality might be "Kill it, kill it some more, and then scatter the ashes" and will take some management skills to keep him under control, but he should be able to talk and reply.
Kevin C
2019-11-24 15:07:41 +0000 UTCPlease ramble as much as you want! You've obviously put in incredible amounts of work into this universe, even beyond what you make public. And it's all so well done! He does look like he could be very menacing when he wants to be. And very, very dominant. >.> I'd absolutely love to meet him! ;p
Cult of Dust
2019-11-24 15:04:06 +0000 UTCFurry sci-fi fanfic? Heavens, no! This is your story fluff, and you’ve put a lot of thought into it. I was enthralled by the concepts you presented here and in all complete honest, I’m excited! I can’t wait to see what becomes of this. The story teller in me is itching to get more details, give me more!
Ahawk95
2019-11-24 13:29:04 +0000 UTCThese look fantastic, i really like the lore and ideas you have for the VST and what they can do.
Antoine Davis
2019-11-24 13:01:26 +0000 UTCOMG sooo Cute & Cool. X3
Kyu-Art
2019-11-24 12:18:14 +0000 UTCAnd here I was yesterday, looking back through Ask ARA posts to find the story's apex frame specific names/designations and wondering when we'd touch base on the fifth frame! This looks great Fluff, looking forward to seeing where VST goes.
Crimson
2019-11-24 12:10:34 +0000 UTCI think WYRM fits him well
The Friendly Deathclaw
2019-11-24 12:03:11 +0000 UTCMaybe he speaks only with text or emojies? XD >_> ;3
Arukino
2019-11-24 11:25:15 +0000 UTCI would like to see more ramblings, personally! lol I like the design for this guy, though I'm curious on the "no speaky english" factor. Seems like an odd choice for an Apex frame, at least to me, if it's supposed to be their specialty top of the line model. Would make sense for lesser frames for sure though. Perhaps you could take a piece from Protogens and give him some sort of facial screen? Or perhaps not, might be more fun to make him interact without it. Hmmm.
ZRO4825
2019-11-24 11:13:06 +0000 UTCThis good boi looks so awesome!! Fluff i think we need more rambling please.
The Friendly Deathclaw
2019-11-24 10:36:42 +0000 UTCawesome, I love to see how things develop, and grow over time, so Fluff share more please. And dont be sorry about rambling, by the contrary, DO IT MORE, your sci fi world is amazing and cant wait to see more of it, lore, character development, world building, etc. the more the better. Cant wait to get more of this world and everyone thats in it!
Skeleton Man
2019-11-24 10:29:52 +0000 UTCDude, by all means, ramble on. I enjoyed the read. I love world building and lore. I'm already imagining this guy leaping from ship hull to ship hull mid-battle to disable some of the larger enemy weaponry. On a less "practical" point, I imagine that tongue could be good for... other interactions? Especially with Warning. ;) I also really like the little sketch of him licking ARA. Super cute! Might I suggest the name "WYRM"? He is sleek and I get the impression, powerful, and the shape is not unlike that of a dragon. I think it would be a good fit.
Silvador
2019-11-24 10:14:22 +0000 UTCShut up and take my sci-fi credits!
Dreaker of Adreon
2019-11-24 10:13:19 +0000 UTCI love this so much. I adore the colored varient a lot.
shadowstarthe1st
2019-11-24 10:13:16 +0000 UTCthis is looking really promising
Teckly
2019-11-24 10:09:48 +0000 UTC
