NOTE: Please see my website Love This Empire for additional information and other content.

This started off as a weird experimental idea about a month and a half ago. I started off by taking the pixel art from the Duck Hunt game, and created it in 3D Stuido Max using cubes. You all may remember that post where I showed a picture of it. Only problem with that was the pixel art I used was somehow NOT from the game, but someone else's crappy alternate version. So, no biggie, I remade it. But then, I made it 3-dimensional. So now it wasn't just made out of cubes and still representative of its former pixel-art self, but it had a full 3D body, shaped like that of a duck. But if you look at it orthographically, straight from the side, it still is true to the pixels that it came from.

So then the idea was to construct this beast of a project. More specifically, it was meant to be mounted on a wooden base to be hung on the wall, along with two bronzed Nintendo Zappers. So in effect this would be a duck hunt trophy. Hell yes? I think so.

But how? At first I was thinking of creating cubes out of things like wood or foam core. I experimented for a bit, but then realized that it would be an absolutely maddening process trying to cut PERFECT cubes out of any material, especially as many as I would need.

Luckily, I found a craft place online that sold wooden cubes. I bought a couple hundred of a smaller size for a test, and then decided this was the way to go. So I ordered 1600 of the 3/4" cubes and went at it. Let me assure you, this was far more of a challenge then it looks. It's not just 'put the cubes in place and be done with it.' Even being machine cut, these things were only good to 1/32", so there was a TON of mixing and matching when it came to lining them up to fit. Doing it in 2D was bad enough, but when I started putting layers together, that was a complete nightmare.

But here you have it, the final product. I was so worried the wings weren't going to stay on, but they are holding damn strong. I still need to decide how I am going to mount it, but for now I thought I would show it off to you all. And also, for those who are interested, some stats:

Blocks used in 3D model: 1785
Blocks used in build: 1240 (left the body and head partially hollow)
Approximate Weight: 17-20 lbs
Length: 24"
Width: 17.25"
Height: 21"
Approximate Number of Hours to Create: 35-40

And I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has commented on this, and especially to everyone who is spreading the OG love and posting it on their websites. I really appreciate it!