800x600 or 640x480, any thoughts?

[GarageGothic]

I'm heading into the implemention stage of development on Shadowplay, but before importing all the art in a specific format, I thought I'd ask you guys. I planned to use 640x480 resolution with 32 bit color, but a while back I realized that I really don't have any need for the alpha channel, at least not enough to warrant the extra file size.

However, reducing the colors to 16 bit give me a bit of slack, size- as well as performance-wise. So I've been considering using 800x600 mode instead. It does mean that all my GUIs will have to be re-done, and some functions rewritten. But character sprites have been drawn so big that they can probably be used without any problems. Backgrounds are resized from 300dpi originals anyway, and few finished backgrounds have been imported so far.

So what do you think?  Does the higher resolution make enough of a difference to be worth the trouble and the additional download size?

[Babar]

I say stick with 640x480. If was built to run in 640x480, there would be no need to make it higher res. Unless there is something you specifically WANT that requires 800x600, why make it like that?
Perhaps my opinion is biased, being a dial-up user. While I can use a download manager to download 20-30 Mb games if they are good, something that is 50Mb over will just get me annoyed.

[Vel]

In my opinion, in your particular case it is worth it. You art kicks ass, and Id rather watch it at 800*600 than at 640*480. Nowadays most people have fast connections, so as long as you find hosting, filesize wont really be a problem.

[Privateer Puddin']

from the screens you posted the other day; i thought your character needed alpha more than it needed to be in 800x600

[GarageGothic]

from the screens you posted the other day; i thought your character needed alpha more than it needed to be in 800x600

True , but I don't like the way that alpha channel sprites scale. Plus it nearly doubles my file size. I suppose you could cheat and import all backgrounds and non-alpha with color set to 16 bit, then change to 32 bit and import the alpha channeled sprites. I don't know if that could cause problems.

[scotch]

You can import 24 bit images (true colour but no alpha channel) into a 32 bit game without problems.  I would rather 640x480x32 than 800x600x16 personally.  800x600x32 is perfectly fine too though   The majority of people are on broadband, I wouldn't worry about downloaders but you should still consider the amount of bandwith you will be able to get to distribute it.

[Renal Shutdown]

I could probly host it for you, depending on the size.  My server's limit is 50 gigs a month, and I have succeeding in hitting 400 meg yet.  Most of that was temporary files anyway, which were uploaded, downloaded and deleted.

Let me know if you do, and I'll set you up an ftp doo-dah.

[simulacra]

I would like to see your beutiful art in high-resolution. You might save a few Mbs by having a lower screen size, but you will lose part of the experience. I think you are doing games to provide an experience.

[GarageGothic]

Thanks for the offer, Iqu. I might take you up on that, once the game is finished. But that will probably take a while

And thanks to the rest of you guys for your input. There doesn't seem to be any concensus about it. But on the other hand, there's not really enough support for a higher resolution to make it worth the trouble. What I'll do now is this: I'll continue developing the game in 32 bit, and will make some experiments with antialiased characters. In the end I can always export the sprite folders and reimport them at 16 bit, if I'd rather save the space. Or even offer two different versions of it.

800x600 will have to wait for the sequel

[Renal Shutdown]

I'll set you up an account after Brittens (I need to get the server administrator to enable a couple of options first, no biggie.Ã,  He's s'sposed to do it anyway, I just haven't got the time to check everything is in order just yet).Ã,  When it's almost ready, I'll need to know the name you want..

http://www.lumpcity.co.uk/~whatever

..replacing "whatever" with what you want.Ã,  Let me know this, and I can set you up.Ã,  Once done, you can use that address to set up a whole site if you need to.Ã,  Hence, I'm not sure if you want "../~garagegothic" or "../~nameofdeveloper" assuming you have help making it.

Either way, let me know what you want, and I'll get on it as soon as possible.

EDIT:
That is assuming I don't set up a 3rd/4th/5th website/server once I get back.  I get bored and spend things on crapola like a crazy man.