Early Life and Influences
Leo Beck, a multifaceted artist whose talents span music, visual arts, and gaming, has had a life that is as diverse as his creative pursuits. Born into a musical family, Leo’s early years were filled with the sounds of bluegrass and the rhythms of hip-hop. His father, a bluegrass street performer, often took Leo on the road, exposing him to the vibrant culture of Los Angeles. Despite living in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, Leo’s childhood was rich with experiences that would shape his future.
Leo’s exposure to a variety of musical genres was further expanded when he spent time with his grandmother and missionary grandfather in Kansas, and with his artistic grandfather Al Hansen in Europe. It was during these travels that Leo’s passion for music truly blossomed. He was particularly inspired by the Delta blues music of John Hurt, whose performances he often watched on the streets. At the age of 16, Leo dropped out of school and moved to New York, where he aspired to join a punk rock band, though he was too young at the time.
Music Career and Style Evolution
After returning to Los Angeles, Leo began performing at clubs like Raji’s and Jabberjaw. His music, which was a blend of street hip-hop, Delta blues, hymns from the Shaker faith, and punk rock with nonsensical shouting, began to take shape. His first single, “MTV Makes Me Want To Smoke Crack,” marked the beginning of his unique style. This was followed by his album “Loser,” which he produced with hip-hop music technician Karl Stephenson. The title of the album, which might seem ironic in hindsight, reflects the humble living conditions Leo faced at the time: “I was working at a video store, sorting pornographic materials alphabetically, making the lowest wage.” The album was finally released in the summer of 1993, and it received mixed reviews, with critics calling it an anthem for a generation that had given up.
Visual Arts and Gaming
While Leo’s music career was gaining momentum, he also ventured into the world of visual arts and gaming. In 2011, he entered the CG industry, working on games, films, animations, and VR. As the CEO and lead artist of the post-nuclear game company, Leo has been involved in projects such as “Dragon’s Quest,” “NBA All-Star,” “Far Cry,” “Feng Xing Gao Zhao Zhu Xiao Ba,” and “Ocean Legend.” His clients include Tencent Games, NetEase Games, EA, Ubisoft, and Feiyu Games.
Leo’s creative direction is inspired by the real world and his daily gaming experiences. He has produced content for short films like “The Last Day II” and “Apocalyptic Recaller.” After graduation, Leo worked on various projects, either as a freelancer or as a partner in a company. He founded his company after realizing that the efficiency of working from home was not satisfactory. “I was a cyberpunk enthusiast, and there was a lack of cyberpunk content in the Chinese market at the time,” he says. “I chose to use Unreal Engine for its simplicity and user-friendly interface, which made it easy for individuals to create content.”
Technological Advancements and Collaborations
Leo’s work with Unreal Engine has been instrumental in his success as a 3D artist. He has participated in projects like “Underground Laboratory” and “Akira City,” which showcase his ability to blend cyberpunk aesthetics with traditional 3D art. “I don’t consider myself a seasoned gamer, but I believe my ability to create can be seen in my work,” he says. “Choosing to use Unreal Engine was a no-brainer for me. The software is simple, and the traditional 3D pipeline was too complex and industrialized.”
| Project | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon’s Quest | 2012 | 3D Artist |
| NBA All-Star | 2013 | Lead Artist |
| Far Cry | 2014 | 3D Artist |
| Feng Xing Gao Zhao
|
