Background Blitz 17/12/2005 - 28/12/2005

[Rel]

Topic:

A STEP TOO FAR


Guidelines:
There are many ways to interpret this theme, so get your creative juices flowing

If you're stuck for ideas: your background might show a physical step too far (eg. tracks leading off a cliff edge), a moral one (eg. an unscrupulous research lab, such as Dr Frankenstein's), the remains of a party that got out of control or a room/house designed by a decorator who didn't know when to stop.

There are no size or palette restrictions.



Voting: (thanks to Loominous for the system)
Voting will take place on the 29th & 30th of December. Please give one vote in each of the following categories:

* Best Idea - The underlying idea to the background. Doesn't neccesserily have to coincide perfectly with the theme of the week, just strike you as interesting/amusing/inspiring; a place you'd really enjoy visiting within a game.

* Best Design - The style of the picture, architectural, landscape design, best mood, most evocative etc.

* Best Functionality - How well it would work when adding sprites, including appropriate walking distances, good angle for character sprites, clever walkway solutions, easily understood exits etc.

* Best Technique - How well the ideas are executed in form of rendering.

I've allowed a bit less than 2 weeks for entries, in case people are too busy to vote over New Year's, but let me know if you need more time.

[MarVelo]

I'm to lazy to enter, but look at this.



Chris Reeves R.I.P.



I guess he never gets to go...



Screw Steve, he is a genius

[ildu]

Aww, that's just mean. It's just a step too far on my scale...

[big brother]

I've been experimenting with this digital painting thing, so I decided to try my hand at this competition. My entry:


(few hours of GIMPwork)

I really need a Wacom tablet.

[Gilbert]

Heh if only tablets work with WinGimp. (As far as I remember tablet support for windows port of GIMP was broken, don't know if it's fixed in newer versions though).

[Mordalles]

that pic of christopher is kinda sick. thats pretty mean, and not funny at all.
its really not cool.

[Snarky]

It wasn't all that funny until you got offended. Now it is. 

[Mordalles]

you talking to me?

[vict0r]

Wha?! Wacoms dont work with GIMP? :o But.. but....

[big brother]

Wacom tablets work with the latest version of the GIMP, so don't get your panties in a knot.

[Mordalles]

(about 2 hours)

(done with mouse)

[Nikolas]

Mordalles, this is an amzing idea and the realisation also I like very very much.

One thing though. Why make the bridge like a snake?

[Mordalles]

Thanks nikolas. I had it straight, but it just seemed a bit boring.

[gameboy]

I call this one: "A car designer, who has gone too far"
That's Chris Bangle. When he designed BMW's then all the models he designed were... umm, not pretty. (at least that's what I think)
So on this bg I drew a BMW 630, which is also designed by Bangle.

[Rel]

Nice entries everyone I'm amazed at what you guys can do with just a mouse â€" it would be hard enough to achieve that with a tablet.

Those are some great image manipulations Taffytom XD Thanks for sharing.

[Corey]

isnt it too late to enter yet?? coz i might wanna enter this... just to practice my skills , i wont win anyway..

oh right this competition is until 28/12

[Neil Dnuma]

Wacom Sapphire
Photoshop CS2
~15 hours

I was trying a new direction with this image, and it's my first 640x480 background. Not entirely happy about it, but good exercise.

A merry Christmas to everyone

[Andail]

Awesome, Neil. Truly great!

[Rel]

Voting has now begun (and will take place over the 29th & 30th) so please nominate an entry for each of the 4 categories. The results will be announced on the 31st so long as at least 5 people have voted, otherwise I'll extend it.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

I'll have to go with a clean sweep for Neil!

Best Idea/Design/Functionality/Technique:  Neil Dnuma.

Very nice work, the clouds and mountains in particular remind me of an old novel cover illustration - and anyone crazy enough to spend 15 HOURS on an entry deserves respect...And a little fear.

[Ubel]

I second ProgZmax. In everything.

[ildu]

Best Idea - This is for Neil Dnuma. The idea behind the image is a very good and unexpected one. It goes the logical and literal way and with humor. I'd love to see a real contest of this sort in a game and this would be an ideal background for one.

Best Design - The prize goes to Neil Dnuma. The design is amazing. The style is very unique and conveys the western feeling very well. All the buildings own up to the style and so does the whole color scheme. Very moody and atmospheric. The depth adds to the feeling.

Best Functionality - This goes to Neil Dnuma. This background would work perfectly in a game, nuff said.

Best Technique - The winner is Big Brother. I just thought Big Brother deserved a break on this one. I love the tabletting and the colors. Also, the contrast of sharp to blurred or detailed to undetailed is great. It draws attention to the entrance of the cave and the footsteps, inarguably the most important aspects of the image.

[Neil Dnuma]

Thanks for all the kind words I only wish more people would have entered, but with the full time X-mas schedule of eating and drinking the absence is understandable. I was lucky enogh to have the laptop hooked up at the dining table.

@Mordalles: I can't seem to get your BG displayed anymore, at least not on this computer. I still have a good memory of it though.

Best Idea: Mordalles. Who wouldn't like to visit the edge of the world, at least in a game? This is really the extreme edition of taking a step too far. Big brother's idea was nice too, a true classic!

Best Design: Mordalles gets the edge here. I love the feel of danger concevied in the fragile design of the bridge/elevator in contrast to the enormous powers of nature.

Best Functionality: Big Brother. Of course, you'd have to script footsteps (but that'd be tons of fun).

Best Tecnique: Big Brother. As Ildu mentions, you really know how to direct attention in your drawings. I also love the color variations used in the snow. I hope someone gave you a Wacom for Christmas... Mordalles deserves one too!

[ildu]

Shit, I totally disregarded Mordalles with his incredible graphics. Why isn't it on the thread anymore? Well, I won't go changing any of my votes.

[gameboy]

Mordalles... in all categories.

[Venus]

Idea/Design/Functionality/Technique: Neil Dnuma

[Ginny]

Idea: Mordalles. Hey' I'm a sucker for things that remind me of grim fandango.

Design: Mordalles. The "waterfall" down the edge of the earth looks so powerful, like it could throw you into nothingness in just a second. Implies a lot of danger on that bridge, I like it.

Functionality: Big Brother. Clear exits, interesting scene, and 'd love to see this in a game.

Technique: Neil Dnuma. Your graphics remind me of CMI, very nice colourful atmosphere.

[Pet Terry]

Idea: mordalles (reminds me of Discworld yay)
Everything else: Neil Dnuma (very clear, working background, nice style and overall very good job)

Lovely colours in Big Brother's background, though.

[Krysis]

Best Idea/Design/Functionality/Technique:  Neil Dnuma.

Its just soo good it deserves to win! And  reminds me of Monkey Island.

[AlbinoPanther]

In every aspect mordalles

[mozza]

Now for my votes,

Best Idea: Mordalles - how could you go past the ultimate step too far?

Best Design: Neil Dnuma - The BG sets the mood and scene very well.

Best Functionality: Neil Dnuma - Just look at it! It has the air of an adventure game and has a good amount of walkable area etc.

Best Technique: Big Brother - The different shades of snow and immaculate colour scheme just bring this vote straight to you.

[MarVelo]

All to mord

[Rel]

Results:

Congratulations to Neil Dnuma, on a very well-rounded image

Idea: Mordalles
Design: Neil Dnuma
Functionality: Neil Dnuma
Technique: Neil Dnuma

Happy New Year everyone!

[Neil Dnuma]

Thanks again! There'll be a new Blitz already next year!