The Cursed Skull: A Fusion of Inspiration

The Process: Modifying and Creating a New Identity

For this project, I decided to work on a cursed skull model, starting with a base skull I had previously downloaded from Sea of Thieves. The goal was to take the original design and push it into a darker, more sinister direction, inspired by the raw intensity of Doom and the pirate fantasy aesthetic of Sea of Thieves. This model allowed me to combine these two unique styles while adding my own twist.

I began by adjusting the original skull model, adding new elements to give it a fresh identity. I reshaped parts of the skull to make it feel more ominous, adding cracks and jagged edges that hinted at its cursed nature. To elevate the design, I integrated new features, like sinister horns protruding from its sides and engravings etched into the bone—markings of an ancient, forbidden ritual.

Once the adjustments were complete, I focused on the textures. I wanted the skull to radiate an otherworldly energy, so I used demonic red tones for the base, giving the surface a charred and scorched appearance. For the eyes, I added a glowing green light, almost as if they were windows to another realm. These glowing elements served to heighten the sense of danger and mystery around the object.


Inspiration: Doom Meets Sea of Thieves

I drew a lot of inspiration from Doom’s hellish environments and the menacing designs of its demonic artifacts. The raw, aggressive energy of Doom influenced the skull’s fiery color palette and cursed aura. On the other hand, Sea of Thieves provided the foundation for the aesthetic—an artifact that looks like it could be found in the depths of a haunted shipwreck or guarded by a spectral crew.

This blend of styles gave the skull a unique identity. It feels like a natural evolution of a Sea of Thieves relic, but with the kind of demonic edge that would make it feel right at home in Doom.


Functionality: The Portal to Another Realm

This is no ordinary skull, it’s a cursed artifact with terrifying power. When activated, the skull summons a swirling, fiery portal to another realm, allowing demonic creatures to break through into the mortal world. Imagine using this in Sea of Thieves: you place the skull on a ritual altar, and as the portal opens, skeletal demon pirates emerge to do your bidding or wreak havoc.

In Doom, the skull could be a key item used to open the gates of Hell, unleashing waves of enemies as you fight to survive. Its glowing eyes would act as indicators, dimming or brightening based on its charge level.

For The Legend of Zelda, this cursed skull could serve as a puzzle item. Players might need to use it to open a portal to a dangerous realm, solve a mystery, or defeat shadowy enemies while balancing the risk of summoning too much chaos.


Why It Fits Across These Games


  • Sea of Thieves: The cursed skull fits perfectly into the game’s lore-rich world as a powerful, pirate-infused artifact. It could easily serve as a quest item or a boss fight mechanic, adding depth to the game’s supernatural themes.

  • Doom: The demonic energy of the skull ties directly to Doom’s core themes of Hell and destruction. Its portal-summoning ability would align seamlessly with the game’s gameplay loop, creating intense, enemy-filled encounters.

  • The Legend of Zelda: The skull’s mystical properties and puzzle potential make it a great addition to Zelda. It could act as a key to uncover hidden secrets or unlock forbidden paths, challenging players to think creatively about its use.


Reflection on the Design

This project gave me the chance to experiment with blending styles and pushing the boundaries of my texturing skills. The cursed skull is more than just an artifact—it’s a story in itself. By combining Doom’s dark aesthetic with Sea of Thieves’ sense of mystery, I’ve created something that feels versatile yet distinct.

The glowing eyes, fiery textures, and unique functionality make this model stand out, and I’m excited to see how I can apply these design principles to future projects. What do you think of the cursed skull? Could you see it in one of these games—or maybe even all three?


The Model is on my Sketchfab

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