Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Competitions & Activities => Topic started by: Creamy on Sun 23/03/2025 11:36:46

Title: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (CLOSED)
Post by: Creamy on Sun 23/03/2025 11:36:46
P  A  N  O  R  A  M  I  C     S  C  E  N  E  R  Y

Do you feel like spicing up your game and adding some motion?
Why not try a panoramic shot?
You can even make it loopable for a full 360° effect.

(https://i.imgur.com/vab084c.jpeg)

(https://mixnmojo.com/galleries/full/full20101030022946.jpg)

(https://i.etsystatic.com/6802769/r/il/f2b12d/1614609045/il_fullxfull.1614609045_aw3c.jpg)

This month, we want you to show us a room that's been designed with panning in head.
It can be anything from a ride in car to a first-person perspective view.
Any picture meant to be used with the panorama module is fine too.
And it doesn't have to be horizontal panning.

Deadline: April 30th

Entries will be judged on the usual suspects:
- Concept: Is it a creative interpretation of the theme that also tells us something about the world in which it takes place.
- Playability: Does it have clear walkable areas, things to interact with, etc?
- Artistic Execution: How well was the chosen style executed? - What's the feeling of the place? - Does the image convey the wanted atmosphere?

Off to work!
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: ildu on Mon 24/03/2025 11:44:33
Awesome – great topic! Gonna try and enter this one. Already getting some ideas... :-D.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: brushfe on Tue 25/03/2025 01:24:33
I've never done an AGS challenge before, but I'll definitely try to enter! It's a fantastic idea!
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Misj' on Tue 25/03/2025 20:55:55
Oh great...scrolling-backgrounds. It's like drawing multiple images for the price of one. ;)

Well, at least I do have an idea that I really want to try and is completely different from the last scrolling background (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/competitions-activities/background-blitz-underground-open/msg636668357/#msg636668357) I did.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Creamy on Wed 26/03/2025 22:57:21
Quote from: Misj' on Tue 25/03/2025 20:55:55Oh great...scrolling-backgrounds. It's like drawing multiple images for the price of one. ;)

I had second thoughts about this topic for this very reason. But I went for it anyway because panoramic backgrounds are awesome.

And I know (https://www.banneret.nl/images/doodles/BackgroundBlitz/20241027_Misj_BackgroundBlitz_spaceship-interor.png) that you will not (https://www.banneret.nl/images/doodles/harborSceneUnfinished.jpg) say the contrary. (https://www.banneret.nl/images/doodles/20210328_Misj_SpriteJam_theBaron_withBackground.png)




Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: brushfe on Mon 31/03/2025 04:12:27
(https://i.imgur.com/gdA1Otb.png)

This is my first AGS contest submission and a sneak peek at my first AGS game... I'm still getting the hang of Dee Dee Murray's art style, but I appreciate her work even more after trying to emulate it!
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Creamy on Mon 07/04/2025 12:24:06
Nice use of the EGA palette.

Color me intrigued about that first game.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Misj' on Wed 16/04/2025 20:28:24
@Creamy: My entry is moving along. But I already know I'm probably going to need an extra week to finish it. I'll try to hit the deadline, but might require an extension.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Thu 17/04/2025 03:38:10
Quote from: brushfe on Mon 31/03/2025 04:12:27(https://i.imgur.com/gdA1Otb.png)

This is my first AGS contest submission and a sneak peek at my first AGS game... I'm still getting the hang of Dee Dee Murray's art style, but I appreciate her work even more after trying to emulate it!

This is awesome.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Creamy on Tue 22/04/2025 00:14:21
Quote from: Misj' on Wed 16/04/2025 20:28:24@Creamy: My entry is moving along. But I already know I'm probably going to need an extra week to finish it. I'll try to hit the deadline, but might require an extension.

I've added an extra week.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Creamy on Tue 29/04/2025 18:19:13
Last day for submission tomorrow.

(https://i.imgur.com/eXNrHIQ.jpeg)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: brushfe on Tue 29/04/2025 23:18:22
Quote from: Creamy on Tue 29/04/2025 18:19:13Last day for submission tomorrow.

(https://i.imgur.com/eXNrHIQ.jpeg)

This is lovely! The perfect place to start an adventure. Perhaps that sailboat just arrived in the harbour, and with it, trouble...

And the composition is fantastic! Is there a place to see more of your art?
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Creamy on Wed 30/04/2025 16:43:01
Thanks, I drew it last week in situ. It should have been more panoramic and painted but I got lazy :P

I post some stuff on Deviantart (https://www.deviantart.com/jaipurna) from time to time.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Misj' on Wed 30/04/2025 22:11:03
Unfortunately I'm not the fastest illustrator; so I had to take my time.
An scrolling backgrounds are - well - bigger. But I'm out of time, and that means it's finished.
And here's my entry.

(http://www.banneret.nl/images/doodles/BackgroundBlitz/20250430/20250430_Misj_Blitz_Panorama_Castle_animated.png)

Story: You play as Nynke. A Frisian huntress. One day she returns from the hunt to find her village in flames with her only family (her sister) gone. So she sets out to save her. Later on the huntress finds out her sister was sold as a slave to the Shackled Queen. And what started out as a personal story might actually save the world.

I kinda envision this as a dark-fantasy/black-comedy. Hence the muted colors (but I also added a more vivid version for those interested).

Image 100%:
Spoiler
(http://www.banneret.nl/images/doodles/BackgroundBlitz/20250430/20250430_Misj_Blitz_Panorama_Castle.png)
[close]

Image 50% (vivid colors):
Spoiler
(http://www.banneret.nl/images/doodles/BackgroundBlitz/20250430/20250430_Misj_Blitz_Panorama_Castle_vivid.png)
[close]

Inspiration:
Spoiler
I wanted to do something different. So rather than a scroll in X or Y I decided to scroll in Z while also zooming-out. Also, I kinda liked the top-down map from Conquest of Camelot:
(https://sierrachest.com/gfx/games/Conquest1/maps/map_camelot.JPG)
So I ended up with both the entrance to and a top-view of the castle. And I had to connect these two. So to make my life a little bit easier (because I simply didn't have the time to do anything better) I decided to use the foliage from the trees to move to the forest and then to a view from above. I probably should have added an additional tree in the foreground to make the effect a bit clearer...but again, there was no way I was going to hit the original deadline with this idea (thank you Creamy for the extension) and I didn't have time to adjust the composition to make the second tree work.
[close]

Ps. Our cat turns 20 years old this Saturday, so naturally he has to be in the image.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: heltenjon on Thu 01/05/2025 02:34:49
@Misj' With such great art, I wasn't expecting to find my favourite part in the written note.  (laugh)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: brushfe on Thu 01/05/2025 03:18:14
@Misj' Stunning work! Your style is wonderfully unique. And this scene really makes you want to find a way into that castle!

And three cheers for Camelot  ;-D  ;-D  ;-D
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (VOTES OPEN until 11 May)
Post by: Creamy on Thu 01/05/2025 21:55:09
@Misj' A double panoramic background! You're spoiling us   8-0

Alright, time to vote for one of our two magnificent panoramas:

brushfe
(https://i.imgur.com/gdA1Otb.png)

Misj'
(http://www.banneret.nl/images/doodles/BackgroundBlitz/20250430/20250430_Misj_Blitz_Panorama_Castle_animated.png)

Full version:
Spoiler
(http://www.banneret.nl/images/doodles/BackgroundBlitz/20250430/20250430_Misj_Blitz_Panorama_Castle.png)
[close]

Usual voting criteria:
- Concept: Is it a creative interpretation of the theme that also tells us something about the world in which it takes place.
- Playability: Does it have clear walkable areas, things to interact with, etc?
- Artistic Execution: How well was the chosen style executed? - What's the feeling of the place? - Does the image convey the wanted atmosphere?

The votes are open until 11 May.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: ildu on Wed 07/05/2025 11:34:37
Fantastic pieces!

Concept: Misj'. Doing a two-axis panorama didn't even cross my mind, which makes Misj's concept extra-compelling. It tells a story, it's cinematic, the panorama has a reason and everything seems cohesive.
Playability: brushfe. In a traditional way, I could see brushfe's background as a bit more functional within a game. I can imagine landing into this scene on the left and having the mayhem on the right be revealed as the panorama moves. Splendid!
Artistic Execution: Misj'. This was a close call, since I so love brushfe's colors and overall style. But I think Misj' managed to tell such a compelling story with his artwork that I was ultimately swayed. I really like the distinct illustration style, nice balance of colors and complexity of the panorama.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Creamy on Sun 11/05/2025 23:51:16
Thanks ildu.

Can we please get some more votes for our artistes extraordinaires?

Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Stupot on Tue 20/05/2025 10:55:26
Both great entries.

Concept: Misj'
Great idea having the panoramic sideways view and then the transition to the overhead view.

Playability: Brushfe
This is a perfectly playable screen, with lots of variation and opportunities for puzzles and discovery. Misj' has that too, for the sideways part, but I'm not sure how playable the overhead shot is.

Artistic expression: Misj'
Two very different styles, both beautiful in their own ways, and both with plenty of interesting details and stories to tell. However, I have to choose one, and I found Misj's slightly easier on the eye with the pale colors and things like the water effect.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Baron on Sun 25/05/2025 02:49:02
This is why I don't enter this competition - you guys both knocked it WAY out of the park!

Concept: It'd be hard not to vote Misj. Brushfe's ruined institutional building is amazing, but the concept of panning in different dimensions to tell a larger tale is brilliant.

Playability: I'm going with brushfe. Yes, it's more conventional, but it would also be functional. Plus, I struggle to play games with too much resolution, so it would be personally more playable for me.  ;)

Artistic Execution: Both of these backgrounds are masterclasses in their respective styles. Yeah, Misj's sinuous line work and cartoony style are easy on the eyes, but the architectural detail and atmosphere portrayed in brushfe's work is stunning on its own terms. For me it's a tie.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Creamy on Tue 27/05/2025 19:30:28
Time to end this Blitz.

This was a close call, but @Misj' wins this round.

A big thank you to our contestants. See you next time!
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: brushfe on Tue 27/05/2025 21:31:56
Congratulations Misj' on your gorgeous and genius twist on a panorama! It's a fantastic reminder to keep looking for new ways to bring the worlds to life.

And thank you @Creamy for creating and moderating great challenge! Really looking forward to the next one!

The comments people left in the judging were super helpful insights for all of us to remember during the art stage. Gracias!
Title: Re: Background Blitz: panoramic scenery (OPEN)
Post by: Misj' on Fri 30/05/2025 20:17:24
Thanks everyone! - Brushfe, great entry with a great retro style (also within the original deadline ;) ).

I'll start a new Blitz in a moment.