Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Competitions & Activities => Topic started by: Darth Mandarb on Wed 18/01/2006 20:02:10

Title: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Wed 18/01/2006 20:02:10

(http://www.twin-design.com/ags/graphics/bgblitz_title2.gif)
Voting:
Voting will take place on the 1st and 2nd of February.

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.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: ScottDoom on Wed 18/01/2006 20:08:14
Sounds nifty! I might enter in a bit although my art skills aren't that great. It's always good to practice.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: on Wed 18/01/2006 20:24:45
Hah, i have made a cave background for my MAGS game, maybe i'll submit it as an entry here, hmmm ...
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Neil Dnuma on Wed 18/01/2006 20:56:47
(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40476000/jpg/_40476349_binladen_cave203.jpg)

Not an entry...

But a great topic, I'll probably enter!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: goldude on Wed 18/01/2006 21:19:21
(http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/5863/cave9wu.png)

My first background blitz entry: An overhead view of a cave.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: vict0r on Wed 18/01/2006 21:31:06
Where's the threat?
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: goldude on Wed 18/01/2006 21:32:15
There are 2: The slime at the bottom and the cracked walkway at the right.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Arcangel on Wed 18/01/2006 21:32:30
I'm not good drawing caves, but i will try this.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: vict0r on Wed 18/01/2006 22:24:15
(http://www.2dadventure.com/ags/cave.PNG)x2

A couple of hours of paintwork.


And y'all see the threatening yellow eyes in the little hole by the pond?
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Thu 19/01/2006 01:23:35
With all the high color and resolution backgrounds, I thought I would break things up a bit by making a c-64 style background.  In 11 colors.

I was going to animate and add more detail but I just got bored of working on it, so here it is for all you old graphics haters!


(http://members.cox.net/progzmax/cave2.gif)
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: ScottDoom on Thu 19/01/2006 02:11:47
Sorry if I'm ruining it ProgZmax, but is the threat that formation of rock that looks like a monster (right of blue) or just the bats hanging in the top right?

Nice background too.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Thu 19/01/2006 02:37:28
You'll have to play Adventures in the Magician's Undercaves to find out!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Gilbert on Thu 19/01/2006 02:38:44
Or, just rip Loom's dragon and put it on the bg to complete the task. :=
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: rharpe on Thu 19/01/2006 03:31:24
Kobold in a cave... Beware! (16 colors, EGA)
(http://home.oct.net/rharpe/009.gif)
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: seaduck on Thu 19/01/2006 12:01:38
The Mines of Moria

(http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/8145/jesk23cw.gif)

Size: 160x100
Colors: 11

EDIT: Updated!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Mordalles on Thu 19/01/2006 19:16:30
wow, some really great entries so far! man, progz, that looks amazing!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: vict0r on Thu 19/01/2006 19:21:13
I agree that progzmax' entry is great, but it doesnt follow the set rules. There is no threat there, and by saying that the threat would be in the game, anything would be allowed to do.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: IM NOT TEH SPAM on Thu 19/01/2006 19:27:54
So... creatures with glowing blue fiery eyes no longer classify as threats?
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Thu 19/01/2006 19:47:05
Great entries so far!

ProgZ - I don't ever want to hear you say you can't do BGs, that's a wonderful entry!

Quote from: vict0r on Thu 19/01/2006 19:21:13I agree that progzmax' entry is great, but it doesnt follow the set rules. There is no threat there, and by saying that the threat would be in the game, anything would be allowed to do.
I can see all kinds of threats in ProgZ's entry:
1) the 'beast' hiding in plain site
2) the dangerous spike (stalactite) hanging from the cave's ceiling
3) the mysterious blue lights
4) the bats hanging from above

rharpe - an excellent use of 16 colors.  Doesn't really convey a "cave of terror" feeling, but it's scary enough!

More, more, more!!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens on Thu 19/01/2006 20:32:28
Hey, I'll have you know those mysterious blue lights are the Magician's stash of shrooms...The whole point you're going down there in the first place!  Just don't eat one or...Well, you know that old chestnut...Turning into a 7 foot tall slobbering slime monster.

I think vict0r missed the bit where it says threat 'hiding' in the cave, but that's ok!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Bartimaeus on Thu 19/01/2006 20:38:35
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/gaddit/CaveBlitz.png
2x
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/gaddit/CaveBlitz.png)
Another attempt at learning to paint in Photoshop  :D

I mimicked the cave structure from this reference: http://www.wizards.com/magic/images/mtgcom/arcana300/cycl_ForgottenCave.jpg

Bart
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Clip on Fri 20/01/2006 14:18:20
Well this is my first attempt in bg blitz.
(http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/912/koobas6me.png)

Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: mwahahaha on Sat 21/01/2006 00:47:39
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/mwahahaha10/crocmouth.jpg

Free Donuts!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: rharpe on Sat 21/01/2006 06:56:36
Quote from: Darth Mandarbrharpe - an excellent use of 16 colors.  Doesn't really convey a "cave of terror" feeling, but it's scary enough!
I guess you're right, I don't get that sense of fright either... more like enchantment. CRAP!  :'(
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: LilBlueSmurf on Mon 23/01/2006 22:50:12
Well, I would have done more, but I got bored, so here's mine.Ã,  Might have to look a sec to see the hidden danger.

320x200Ã,  7 colors

(http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9421/cave16co.gif) (http://imageshack.us)

X2 in case it's hard to see
(http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9421/cave16co.gif) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: ildu on Tue 24/01/2006 00:52:18
That's just marvelous. I really had to study it for a few seconds before I could see it. Now it's glaringly obvious :).
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Bartimaeus on Tue 24/01/2006 12:04:34
Thats a great bg  :D
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: seaduck on Fri 27/01/2006 15:36:44
Hooray! Since today was my last exam, I've had the time to update my background - to actually finish itÃ,  :D - so I updated my previous post. Quiz: Find 3 threatsÃ,  ;)
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Chicky on Fri 27/01/2006 16:34:29
That's awesome lilbluesmurf! great effort.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: on Sat 28/01/2006 19:13:13
(http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/1802/buloghtcave0zz.gif)
2x
(http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/1802/buloghtcave0zz.gif)

My first background blitz, i'm so excited :) No, it's not an oil patch, it's a shadow in the middle of the waterÃ,  :P
320x240 and 8 colours
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: ildu on Sat 28/01/2006 19:24:31
Looks like that bg took you quite long to make.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: on Sat 28/01/2006 19:42:36
yeah, about 3-4 hours. Are you being sarcastic?
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: ildu on Sat 28/01/2006 23:07:46
Nope :). I just assumed that since there are so many highlights, it probably took a long time to make. Unless you didn't do them manually.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Indie Boy on Sat 28/01/2006 23:31:39
How can you make highlights apear on youre background withot touching youre computer manually?
very creepy buloght
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: on Sat 28/01/2006 23:53:08
I don't know how else to do them but manually. I started with black screen and made lots of small blue patches to form the walls, then I added the shine, as I these things are wet aint they. Anyway.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: nihilyst on Sun 29/01/2006 00:58:54
I really admire your imagination (and your skill), buloght. When I would try to "start with a black screen and make lots of small blue patches to form walls", it would end up being food for my wastepaper basket.

I really like your picture, although the thing that creeps me out isn't the black patch in the water, but the mouth-like thing to the top.

The other entries are good as well.

cheers
nihilyst
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: LilBlueSmurf on Sun 29/01/2006 01:49:00
Nice buloght.  I know it's not the crit lounge, but I thought I would comment for reference.  The 'spikes' at the top do add a cool almost mouth like look, which is cool.  If you are trying to do realistic stalactites/stalagmites though, they should be pointing down, even on a slanted surface as they are formed from water driping.  Oh, and great job with the texturing  :D
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: on Sun 29/01/2006 02:08:51
thanks nihilyst :)

Thanks for the advice lilbluesmurf :)
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Sun 29/01/2006 02:16:51
Some awesome entries!

Anybody else thinking 'bout entering?!  You've got a few more days!!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Corey on Sun 29/01/2006 09:04:04
yup i'm making a 3D BG again , will be done today, atleast i hope  :)
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Corey on Sun 29/01/2006 15:35:52
(http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/293/bg9pv.jpg)

here's my entry...  Hope I didnt broke any rules  ;D
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: MarVelo on Sun 29/01/2006 16:39:53
I know that I could have done more work on it, but Im not gunna be able to do anything for the next few days.


(http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4862/ball23ow.png) (http://imageshack.us)



Crappy Indiana Jones cave thing.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Corey on Sun 29/01/2006 17:10:59
is that the part where the stone chases him??
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: MarVelo on Sun 29/01/2006 20:56:49
yeah  :'(
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Sun 29/01/2006 23:32:28
Corey - can you render that without the "Made by Corey" black part and send it to me?  I have a guy that wants to buy the image from me for $100!!

Thanks!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Chicky on Mon 30/01/2006 12:07:09
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/oversizedchicken/coreycrap.jpg


Here Darth! There's always a way around those crafty mspaint watermarks!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Corey on Mon 30/01/2006 14:57:50
gee thnx  :D coz I saved the image over the original, i think i'm gonna slap myself now...
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: vict0r on Mon 30/01/2006 15:04:39
Quote from: Darth Mandarb on Sun 29/01/2006 23:32:28
Corey - can you render that without the "Made by Corey" black part and send it to me? I have a guy that wants to buy the image from me for $100!!

Err... What the...? I'm quite sure this was some sort of joke... but... Aaargh! Someone explain!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Chicky on Mon 30/01/2006 15:37:01
Darth was taking the piss. So was i.


In ags forums we don't apreciate people plastering watermarks over their work, it takes away from the image and shows that the creator of the image doesn't trust the forum and the people in it.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: AlbinoPanther on Mon 30/01/2006 17:21:56
Best 'till now Buloght great work Like a real cave and blueish color is so cool 8)
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Corey on Mon 30/01/2006 17:36:03
Quote from: Chicky on Mon 30/01/2006 15:37:01
Darth was taking the piss. So was i.


In ags forums we don't apreciate people plastering watermarks over their work, it takes away from the image and shows that the creator of the image doesn't trust the forum and the people in it.

that was not why I putted my name on it. It's because I put some of my images on a site and I put my name it so no one can steal it. coz most people dont know how to was the "logo" off

next time ill make 2 version, its less trouble i guess
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: vict0r on Mon 30/01/2006 18:11:30
Why would anyone steal that? And why do you care if anyone use it for something?
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Mon 30/01/2006 18:58:18
Okay that's enough ...

It's getting WAY cluttered in here.

If you're not going to post an entry, please don't post.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Corey on Mon 30/01/2006 19:04:52
Quote from: vict0r on Mon 30/01/2006 18:11:30
Why would anyone steal that? And why do you care if anyone use it for something?

I dunno it happened before and i just don't want to let other people take gredit for my work coz that also happened before.  :(  sorry Darth, you may delete this post
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Wed 01/02/2006 16:56:30
Commence voting ...
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: AlbinoPanther on Wed 01/02/2006 17:04:44
Everything: Buloght

Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Ginny on Wed 01/02/2006 18:03:55
Best Idea - LilBlueSmurf
Best Design - LilBlueSmurf
Best Functionality - buloght
Best Technique - ProgZmax

Lots of awesome entries!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Corey on Wed 01/02/2006 18:08:24
Best idea - LilBlueSmurf

Best Design - LilBlueSmurf

Best Functionality - ProgZmax

Best Technique - Buloght
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Ubel on Wed 01/02/2006 18:21:32
Best Idea - mwahahaha
Best Design - ProgZmax
Best Functionality - ProgZmax
Best Technique - buloght
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Neil Dnuma on Wed 01/02/2006 18:47:53
Crap, I was gonna enter this, had a BG almost done, but then forgot about it. Well, screw that, and onto the voting;

Idea - mwahahaha. I found this one funny, and it was a welcome variation to the theme.
Design - Seaduck. Pulled it off very well with very few colors. Good job!
Fuctionality - LilBlueSmurf. A good BG in every category btw.
Technique - ProgZmax. A tough choice between his and buloght's, but I found the latter a bit monotonous, and the fire in ProgZ' entry gives him the edge.

Many good BG's this time. rharpe's was great in particular. @Bartimaeus: I remember your BG from the Diner competition, and it's great to see how much you've improved.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Mordalles on Wed 01/02/2006 19:38:23
Best Idea - Buloght
Best Design - Buloght
Best Functionality - Buloght
Best Technique - Buloght

everything about his pic was just awesome! stunning, buloght.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: vict0r on Wed 01/02/2006 19:41:41
Buloght on every point :)
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Nikolas on Wed 01/02/2006 19:47:16
best idea: buloght, a cave, the undergorund sea and the terror and not an oily thingy.
best design: Rharpe, the boat in the back all the black "collums"(shit my english are going to worst every minute...) i nthe front. great
best funsctionality: Buloght, you enter, most of the Bg is aproachable, great
Best technique: Bulght. PIXEL MAN!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Clip on Wed 01/02/2006 20:10:56
So here goes my votes

Best Idea - LilBlueSmurf
Best Design - LilBlueSmurf
Best Functionality - ProgZmax
Best Technique - Buloght

Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: gameboy on Wed 01/02/2006 20:17:10
Gotta vote too:

Best Idea: LilBlueSmurf
Best Design: Buloght
Best Funcionality: Clip
Best Technique: Buloght
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: cpage on Wed 01/02/2006 22:01:15
Best Idea: LilBlueSmurf
Best Design: rharpe
Best Funcionality: LilBlueSmurf
Best Technique: buloght

GREAT JOB ON ALL ENTRYS!  ;D
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: MarVelo on Wed 01/02/2006 22:03:03
Bartimaeus
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Wed 01/02/2006 22:46:21
taffytom - I'm assuming you mean Bartimaeus on all categories?
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: MarVelo on Wed 01/02/2006 23:01:33
Naturally
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Kweepa on Thu 02/02/2006 00:54:36
Best idea: mwahaha - really made me laugh
Best design: seaduck - beautiful mood
Best functionality: Darth - they're nearly all good in this category [EDiT: I meant ProgSmacks!]
Best technique: LilBlueSmurf - awesomely hidden danger

Buloght's was also great but it just didn't fit the categories.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: on Thu 02/02/2006 01:07:52
Quote from: SteveMcCrea on Thu 02/02/2006 00:54:36
Best functionality: Darth - they're nearly all good in this category

Buloght's was also great but it just didn't fit the categories.
Darth is so good he doesn't even need to compete to get a voteÃ,  ;)
Thanks for the mention steve :) and all the votes  :)

Here's mine:

Best Idea: mwahahaha - it's completely different from everybody elses
Best Design: Lilbluesmurf - took me a while to see what eveybody was on about, but when i saw the hidden danger, it's brilliant
Best Functionality: ProgZmax - Simple and it works :)
Best Technique: Seaduck - I really liked the lava from below and the rocks, and with so few colours, it looks like there's much more colours involved which means excellent!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Thu 02/02/2006 04:16:30
I must say ... an EXCELLENT turn-out this time!

Without further delay, the results:

THIRD PLACE - progZmax with 7 total votes.

RUNNER-UP - LilBlueSmurf with 12 votes.

And sooo ....

FIRST PLACE - Buloght with 22 total votes!!

CONGRATULATIONS BULOGHT YOU WIN!!!!
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: ildu on Thu 02/02/2006 10:31:33
Ahh, damn. I thought I'd have time to vote still. Anyways, congrats to Buloght :).
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: on Thu 02/02/2006 11:33:32
Thanks :) I'll start a new one soon.
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Corey on Thu 02/02/2006 15:06:52
ohh noo votes for me  :o ahh i have to face it... I suck and evryone here hates me  :( congratz buloght...
Title: Re: Background Blitz : 18 Jan - 1 Feb 2006
Post by: Bartimaeus on Thu 02/02/2006 15:49:17
Quote from: taffytom on Wed 01/02/2006 22:03:03
Bartimaeus

Haha thanks man.
Buloght well done, your bg was great!
:D