The unsung stars of Call of Duty's emblem creator make some INCREDIBLE art

You think of COD and you think of shooting, wall-running and stern men saving the world one bullet at a time. And, maybe, how much you wanted Captain Price to be your dad. That’s for another feature thougꦕh, and probably some therapy. What you probably didn’t know was just how creative people can get in Black Ops 3’s emblem maker. 

Admittedly not many are checking out the emblems of the people that shoot them in game, but if you take the time to look up some of its stars on YouTube then you’ll find some incredible pieces of art being created. Take a look aᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚt this for example from : 

YouTube YouTube

I’ve picked ꦡthat one out because of the purity and minimal cleanness of its lines. It’s 'print out and frame on the wall' levels of pretty. Here’s another from VileSelf, again creating a striking image from very little: 

YouTube YouTube

One thing that you can probably see throughout all these is that COD’s Emblem editor has plenty of features but it clearly wasn’t intended for more than basic images, using its collection of simple shapes and pre-drawn ꦡimages. Not that that's stopped anyone. Watch this amazing Harley Quinn image and notice how it’s conjured from stencils of soldiers and basic blocks. 

YouTube YouTube

Despite this obviously limited tool set some creators can produce some surprisingly detailed and nuanced images, like ’s take on▨ Harambe, which loo💞ks for all the world like an airbrushed piece of art:

YouTube YouTube

Vileself, as well, can create similar🌸ly layered and detailed images, like their take on Spider-Man: 

YouTube YouTube

W☂hat’s even more impresive is how some creators manage to branch out into other destinctive art styles, like ’s vector-style illustration of Overwatcജh’s D.Va

YouTube YouTube

Similarly, manages a great Tracer in a very si🔯milꦅar style: 

on the other hand specialises in pixel art, creating numerous characters from simple blocks, using a program that doesn’t have simple blocks. Check out his Batman and watch how a creates a grid-like, ordered illustration from a ran🥃ge of distorted shapes:&nb🅷sp;

Despite the lack of any of that proper boring art stuff like &lsquo♋;brushes’, people like are able to create images that perfectly recreate their subject matter. Okay, Patrick from Spongebob isn’t exactly the Sistine Chapel, but this recreation is cartoon show quality: 

YouTube YouTube

Some of COD’s artists have reached a point where the stuff they’r🍰e making isn&rsಞquo;t really usable as an emblem anymore, it’s just art. Like ’s take on a classic Star Wars The Force Awakens shot: 

And, staying with the Star Wars theme, this Stormtrooper by Babifoot sh𒉰ows an incredible grasp of perspective and form.🙈 

Art is just an innate part of human nature. From cave paintings to cathedrals made of matchsticks - if creati🌺on is possible someone will find some way of doing incredible things with it. This impressive productivity in such an unlikely place seems another expression of that. So, next time you get mown down in Call of Duty online, take a moment to check the emblem of who shot you - you might just be missing a masterpiece. 

Leon Hurley
Managing editor for guides

I'm GamesRadar's Managing Editor for guides, which means I run 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查ꦇ询:GamesRadar's guides and tips content. I also write reviews, previews and features, largely about horror, act𒅌ion adventure, FPS and open world games. I previously worked on Kotaku, and the Officia♓l PlayStation Magazine and website.