Small island with bunker BG (feedback)

Started by arj0n, Sun 30/03/2014 15:25:55

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arj0n

As I'm sure there are still some things 'off' in my BG, I'd really like
to receive some feedback on it so I might be able to improve it a bit more.

[imgzoom]http://tdepaus.home.xs4all.nl/arj0n/AGSBG/Island2b.png[/imgzoom]

Thanx.
-arj0n

JoshuaSmyth

That's a nice looking SCI style background.
I think it's totally usable as-is, do more! :)

arj0n

Thank you, sir :)

And yes, I'm working on more bg's.
Here's another one, it's supposed to be a secret passage:
[imgzoom]http://tdepaus.home.xs4all.nl/arj0n/kitchen%20between%20room2.png[/imgzoom]

abstauber

Great EGA artwork, could be right from Colonel's Bequest :)
As for the first bg: the trees in the upper part of the image are very present and are dragging the viewers attention away from the main object in the center. So I would avoid the black shape and try a lighter color tone.
The fog itself looks convincing, but it's always behind the tree shapes. You could try to blend the fog into a few trees.

arj0n

Quote from: abstauber on Mon 31/03/2014 10:36:56
Great EGA artwork, could be right from Colonel's Bequest :)
Yep, I used that heavily as reference.

Thanx for the suggestions, Abstauber.
Will work them out later.

miguel

Great stuff Arjon, I find it really hard to do pixel backgrounds.
The 2nd is top quality stuff.
The 1st one is good as well but you could improve on some details.
Besides what abstauber said:
On the first background I would also put some size reference near that door/gate. A window or a wooden sign stuck in the ground, just something to point out that the bunker is actually a man-size building and not a small entrance.
Looking closer, maybe the gate could have more iron bars, it looks like a person could just slip in.
Working on a RON game!!!!!

arj0n

Thanx Miguel,

Will take your points in consideration.
And yes, the gate could use some more bars and with less distance indeed, now you mention it.

arj0n

A small update.

Made trees in background less prominent
Added a sunken little row boat
Made the bunker higher

[imgzoom]http://tdepaus.home.xs4all.nl/arj0n/AGSBG/Island3.png[/imgzoom]

bicilotti

Quote from: Arj0n on Tue 01/04/2014 22:02:22
A small update.

Concerning "usability": what's the walkable area? It seems it has too be thing (maybe too thin) to me?

Anian

Maybe add some details to the bunker? So it's not just a hexagonal cylinder. Like side supporters, pile up some dirt on the bottom of the walls etc.
I don't want the world, I just want your half

Matti

This is a very nice scene. I don't really like how you did the cracks on the walls though (especially the lighter ones on the front wall) so I played around with the surface of the bunker.

[imgzoom]http://i.imgur.com/HTCrjtF.png[/imgzoom]

miguel

Working on a RON game!!!!!

Gribbler

Quote from: abstauberGreat EGA artwork, could be right from Colonel's Bequest
My thoughts exactly. Looks like ripped stright from that very game. :) Great stuff.

arj0n

Thanx for all the feedback and tips!

Changed:
[imgzoom]http://tdepaus.home.xs4all.nl/arj0n/AGSBG/Island6.png[/imgzoom]


@bici: walkable area should now be better
@Anian: still have to work out your tips adding some details to the bunker like side supporters and piling up some dirt on the bottom of the walls etc.

Darth Mandarb

LOVE the style!

I think the brown trees in the far background should be made lighter in some way (the brown in them still pulls my eyes up there instead of the intended area).

Here is a quick idea:



Just makes them lose focus a little and keeps the eyes on the important parts (or the parts I think are important!)

arj0n

@Matti: your 'cracks on the walls' version is very nice. It was on my list to change it, my version was a quickly done one. I keep your version now :-)
@Darth: using lighter trees is indeed way better, thanx! And yes, 'the parts you think are important' are correct :)

arj0n

#16
Worked on another one, a scolling bg.
Any feedback is appreciated.

Full:
[imgzoom]http://tdepaus.home.xs4all.nl/arj0n/AGSBG/lighthouse8b.png[/imgzoom]

320-200 view:
[imgzoom]http://tdepaus.home.xs4all.nl/arj0n/AGSBG/320-200.png[/imgzoom]

dactylopus

The new one looks great.  I would suggest perhaps some variation to the dithering patterns on the edge of the lighter spot on the ground.

Nice work.

abstauber

Two thing come to my mind:
1)
Maybe you could add some more details to the tower? If it's meant as a prison, you could add a cage on the outside. Or maybe a little balcony, a flag pole (with or without flags), some spikes, a chimney.. anything to make it more interesting would help.
The tower should also cast some shadow on the water.

2)
Structures like the platform in the foreground are usually surrounded by some other boulders and shallow water parts. Also try to add some smaller rocks at the edges of the platform. To improve the contrast between the walkable area and the water, you could also try to add a highlight.

arj0n

Thanx for the information abstauber & dactylopus, much appreciated.

Here's my attempt to add more detail to the tower.

[imgzoom]http://tdepaus.home.xs4all.nl/arj0n/AGSBG/lighthouse9test.png[/imgzoom]
Still got to add the shadow(s) once that part is done.

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