Doing backgrounds is too time consuming

[Toefur]

 :'(

Just wanted to vent a little.   I'm no artist, and as such it takes me quite a long time to finish even one mediocre background. Hours and hours. This annoys me greatly... as I want to get into MAKING my game. Really, I don't want to have to bother with graphics. They take up so much time.

I feel like I will never complete any games because of how long it takes me to do backgrounds; and my eyes get sore/tired from staring at the screen.

It's taken me about a month of constant effort to finish only seven screens... SEVEN! And once I do all this I have the objects and characters, and then all the scripting.

I know making a game is tough work... but I just don't like having to spend so much time on backgrounds.

Anyone else got any thoughts into this matter?  

[|Alky|]

Well, the traditional solution is to get someone to do the backgrounds for you. But often, bg experts are busy doing their own game, so it can be hard. Maybe try recruiting artists from outside the adventure game community..?

[InCreator]

Just... welcome to the club.

[PureGhostGR]

Well.. it is pretty much the same deal for everybody. (except for proffessional artists/illustrators who know what they are doing)..

A good way to work is to make sketches of everything, make the game using the rough sketches and once everything is in place and works, ask somebody to do the artwork for you based on your own work.

Theoretically this would work.. even though I haven't tried it myself.

Or you could simply search the web for art tutorials, study them, practise-practise-practise and soon enough you'll be able to make anything you want for your games.

The same goes for animation b.t.w.

Is there a particular style you are after?

oh.. and 7 screens is rather good if you ask me.

[InCreator]

Wait a sec... you're saying that you did 7 screens in a month? And you actually need to do some more? You have something to do more?

Well, I'm able to do mediocre screen in 2-3 hours - but
I usually don't have anything to draw! After doing room outlines, all I get is totally empty mind! so, no-save and close program and wait for more InCpiraton...  

Maybe we could do some bio-exchange so you'll get my speed & skill and I'll get your ideas...uh, sorry, wrong century...or planet, perhaps?

[Erwin_Br]

One room takes me 2 days, usually. I don't mind though, because I love drawing. It's the programming/scripting I don't like.

--Erwin

[SSH]

Toefur: I have EXACTLY the same problem. Look at my games promotional thread (click on pic in my sig) and you'll the the ar I've got so far which took me about a month!

Erwin: I want to make you happy, so I'll let you draw the graphics fo rmy game  

[DGMacphee]

Do shitty backgrounds and be satisfied with your undergraduate work!

[Squinky]

Lately I've been able to pull off one "good" background a day, sometimes maybe two. Not to say that it takes me all day, it usually takes me about 1 1/2 hrs per bg, it's just that I can't bear to do more than that per  day. What I usually do is script in between bgs, or change pace and do inventory items or objects....

[Darth Mandarb]

I usually start working on backgrounds at about 12 midnight or so ... then it's 7am and I'm just about finishing them up.  To answer the obvious question ... I rarely sleep.  Then I'll spend a day or two adding little details.

And I do consider myself somewhat of an artist and it still takes me a long time to do backgrounds.  But that's probably because I add lots of details.

However, keep in mind that we're all here 'cause we're "amateur" game makers.  We're not really expecting you to come up with something phenominal!!

I agree with Macphee ... do what your capable of and as long as the game is fun, we'll all appreciate it!  Which isn't to say that you shouldn't keep practicing (like PureGhost said!)

Also, I actually finish (satisfied with) 1 background in 5.  I start, get frustrated, and start over.  Happens to me all the time!

dm