Pixel Art vs. Hand Drawn

[Decoy]

Before I get to my topic, I just wanted to introduce myself to the forums, I am new to AGS. I have been in love with the adventure game genre for many years now - and I am totally glad that the genre is not a dead one. I have had experience with other Game Engines, etc - majoring in Game Design with a Programming concentration, so hopefully I won't run into many issues while learning AGS.

Anyways, I am interested in creating my own adventure using AGS, and I am not quite sure as to where to begin as far as the art aspect. I notice so many different styles of art used in the various AGS games I have played; I am unclear as to which way I should go. Do most people to make their adventures using Pixel Art / Photoshop / Paint / etc, or do they hand draw, scan, and Illustrate? Sometimes the detail in the games I have played - I can't notice the difference. Some people have so much skill in pixel art - I suppose my talent lies more in the hand drawn end of it.

What I am asking is:
Do you prefer to make your games with Pixel Art, or Hand Drawn images?

All comments and responses would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-Decoy

[radiowaves]

Pixelart actually depends on your hand-drawing skills. And i think a good scene requires hand drawn sketch anyway, that way you can quickly scribble your ideas on paper and feel more closer to the subject while working on a composition. Its easier to create whole idea on paper, think everything through and then just dully replicate the ideas in computer.
From there on, its your choice. Although I think that pixelart works better in computer, since its made up from pixels... Hand-drawn stuff can only be good in really high resolutions.

[CodeJunkie]

I prefer to pixel because it feels very methodical.  I still sketch things first though since it's much faster and it's easier to throw away your image and start again.  I work best by sketching my work by hand until I nail the composition, perspective and details, and then sketch some skeletons and construction lines with a mouse or tablet (I blu-tack the sketch to the wall by my monitor).  Make a new layer for each draft until you have a fairly refined sketch, then start pixelling.

As far as hand-drawn against pixel art, I don't think there is really any argument: they are just different styles.  Some pixel art is really incredible, but the imperfections of hand-drawn art are also unique.  One style is very precise and scientific, the other is less precise and feels more organic.  I suppose the style you choose depends on what you're good at and what type of game you want to make.  Just be very careful if you decide to pixel a whole game above 320x240.

[Cino]

I'm a big fan of pixel art and when it comes to adventure games, I mostly play 320x200 or 320x240 games and very rarely any higher res games. Hand drawn images can be nice, but there's something nostalgic about pixels I just can't seem to shake off.

[auriond]

I think there's a large variety of art styles in AGS games. Most are pixel, some look like paintings and some even look obviously hand-drawn (as in, they are deliberately made to look sketchy).

I use what you might call hand-drawn art, but I can't animate them. Pixel art seems a lot easier to animate. So to answer your question, I use hand-drawn art, but if I were to make a game with animation then I'd use pixel art.

[Decoy]

I really appreciate all the feedback so far, do you guys have any recommendations as far as which software I should use for my Pixel Art? As of right now I am confined to paint, and GraphicsGale, so if you guys could tell me what you would use, that'd be great. Thanks again!

[zabnat]

I would recommend you should use the program you are most comfortable with. While you think your talent lies more in the hand drawn end, but you still want to make a game with pixel art, you could hand draw, scan and pixelate.

[vict0r]

Depends on what your strong side is, what you like better and how much you are willing to learn... For smaller resolutions I would personally suggest pixel art as it is easier to animate (depending ofc.) and it generally looks better unless you have a very strong and good hand-drawn style that looks good resized.

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