Background Blitz: September 27th - October 12th [VOTING CLOSED!]

ildu · Wed 27/09/2006 00:53:16

The deadline has been extended to the 12th of October. That gives you a full week to finalize those entries. Get to work.

Once again, I made this blitz only one and a half weeks long. If someone does have a problem with the deadline, please just PM me. I'll be happy to give an extension, if needed. If there aren't enough entries or votes until the designated date, I'll extend the deadline as I see fit. I'm gonna extend the voting time until the number of voters at least equals the number of entries. I hope this isn't too strict.

In the previous blitz, some people were complaining about the so-called underdogs not getting votes, because of dominating entries. This time I've added a little twist that should emphasize the idea part of the evaluation and hopefully add a little fun to the competition. Let's just see how it goes this time around.

BAYOU BUNGALOW

Inspiration:

Guidelines:

I've noticed lately that there's a serious lack of swamp locations in the adventure game genre (although apparently Guybrush likes to visit a few

). Show the people what they've been missing all these years and create a background that in some way portrays a swamp location. It could be a small campsite near the bayou or even a high-tech biological research facility. It's all up to you.

The swamp has to show signs of human/humanoid life and preferably some kind of habitat. In addition, the background must contain these three things:

- An instrument (e.g. musical, surgical, etc.)
- A picture of something old (e.g. a photo of Grandma, a poster of an old boat, etc.)
- A broken container of some sort (eg. a box, a barrel, etc.)

Specifications:

Max resolution: 640x480
Palette: Unlimited.

Voting:

Voting will commence on the ~~9th~~ 13th of October at 00:00 (GMT) and will be closed at 23:59 (GMT) on that same date. Please give one vote in each of the following categories:

* Best Idea - The underlying idea to the background. Doesn't necessarily 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, a good angle for character sprites, clever walkway solutions, easily understood exits, etc.

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

Andail · Fri 29/09/2006 11:11:49

I love the presentation to this blitz, so I whipped this up just to kickstart the competition a bit:

ildu · Fri 29/09/2006 18:02:29

Greatness

. I was getting a bit worried by the lack of entries.

ildu · Mon 02/10/2006 22:17:41

I'm bumping this for the troubling silence inhabiting this thread. Hopefully some life will be injected into this.

Sylvr · Mon 02/10/2006 22:20:09

I'm working on something!

Edit:
There. A lonely swamphouse.

vict0r · Wed 04/10/2006 03:44:18

I tried to do something somewhat out of the box. Hope you like it:)

Sylvr · Wed 04/10/2006 16:07:12

Yours looks like claymation!

ildu · Wed 04/10/2006 22:34:45

Very nice entries, lovebirds.

BUMP:

The deadline for the blitz has been extended to the 12th of October. You know what that means, right? Voting and winning will occur on Friday the 13th!!! And naturally this means that whoever wins the blitz will undergo a horrible body-mangling accident of some sort. If anyone wants to sacrifice him/herself for these three brave souls, here's your chance. And remember, keeping in mind the mindset of voters on that faithful day, you might wanna inject some creepyness into your piece. BOO!!

ninepug · Thu 05/10/2006 21:15:18

Ooh coolio swamps

.
Here's my attempt

Smugglers den (or something Ã³_Ã²).
Not sure if it's enough of a swamp to count

(or at least I'm not sure what counts as a swamp).
*crosses fingers for possible horrofic mangling*

Edit: Ouch, seems like my photobucket account is acting up

. Oh well

.

Mikko · Fri 06/10/2006 16:41:48

I think I could go on pushing pixels forever, but here is my entry:

2x

In case you can't see what is in the sing, it says "Ye Olde Grog" and it also has an image of old mug of grog in it. I don't mind if this doesn't go with the rules. Ildu may decide about that.

CMonkey · Fri 06/10/2006 19:24:36

That looks awesome Mikko, I'd love to create a game just to use that background! Keep up the good work!

Buckethead · Fri 06/10/2006 19:28:10

Quote from: Mikko on Fri 06/10/2006 16:41:48

I don't mind if this doesn't go with the rules. Ildu may decide about that.

I'm going to send Ildu a very angry PM if he says it doesn't!

It's too lovely

Neil Dnuma · Sat 07/10/2006 00:31:40

Edit: I almost forgot the picture of something old. It is now above the door.

Steel Drummer · Sat 07/10/2006 02:44:37

Out of curiosity, what games are the 12th and 15th screenshots from?

ildu · Sat 07/10/2006 04:06:43

Frickin' awesome entries

! Big-ups to Penguin's fantabulous palette, Mikko's groovy atmosphere and Neil Dnuma's crazy-ass design. I'm all feelingy inside. We've already got 6 entries, and there's still 6 days left. So all you slowpokes, get to work!

And don't worry too much about bending the rules. As long as you tried to implement them, that's enough for me. No need to send me angry PMs

. So don't worry about the sign, Mikko. And as for you, Penguin, I can't see how that couldn't be a swamp taking into consideration the waterfront hut, the banjo and the planks between the boats

. You are still an ample candidate to be mangled.

Great job, people!

(If someone of lesser art experience is intimidated by the quality of entries so far, don't despair. This is a fine opportunity to showcase your idea-skills. Come up with completely new and unique interpretations of the topic and guidelines, and who knows, you might end up winning.)

Quote from: Steel Drummer on Sat 07/10/2006 02:44:37
Out of curiosity, what games are the 12th and 15th screenshots from?

Runaway 2 and Sanitarium.

http://www.adventuregamers.com/images/showimage.php?id=3829
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/screenshots/9/52149/sanitar_screen005.jpg

gypsysnail · Sat 07/10/2006 06:13:29

WOW those backgrounds by you talented members are just sooooo fantastic! I don't know which ones to vote for as I really like them all. U all done great! I look fwd to seeing the winners but I would also say everyone is a winner for trying, this competition helps us all develop our computer art graphics skills for games we make.

And what are the games of the screenshots 1, 11, 14. I know its silly that a game lover of 20 years like myself doesnt know where some of those screenshots come from but there are some games I am yet to play lol! If you could give me the names of them that would be great and I will jump to ebay and buy them!

.

Sorry... I am new to this I don't know yet how it works, if there are conditions I must read, I can't see them. Thanks I am learning anyway. Anyhow... thank you for telling me which is which for the screenshots.

Mikko · Sat 07/10/2006 07:58:00

Gypsysnail:

Quote from: ilduWe've already got 6 entries, and there's still 6 days left.

Quote from: gypsysnail
And what are the games of the screenshots 1, 11, 14.

14 should be Simon the Sorcerer.

Thank you for your comments.

ildu · Sat 07/10/2006 09:14:38

gypsysnail: Yeah, the competition is far from being over. If you could edit your post and remove the votes, that would be great. They won't be taken into consideration unless they're posted during the voting period.

And just to clarify, you can only vote for one person per category. Sure you can mention runner-ups, but if the explanation is as long as yours (which is always good

), please highlight the name of the person that the vote goes to. Also, if two or more names are given in the vote for one category without clarification of the one winner, that vote isn't taken into consideration in the final votecount. I already had to disqualify this other guy's 'Design' vote in a previous Blitz, when he mentioned that he couldn't choose between two entries.

Quote from: gypsysnail on Sat 07/10/2006 06:13:29And what are the games of the screenshots 1, 11, 14.

Screenshots 1 and 11 are from Escape from Monkey Island and screenshot 14 is from Simon the Sorcerer, as Mikko said. But since there are two screenshots of Simon the Sorcerer in the collage, I'm gonna take a guess that you meant screenshot 13, which is from Quest for Glory 4.

buloght · Sun 08/10/2006 02:34:02

I felt Mikko was outnumbered by all these crazy high-res bgs, so I did one for the pixel too.

(2x)

My swampy thing attempt. The living area is in the tree. The three things are:
1) Instrument of war = sword
2) A picture of something old is there = heart on left front tree with initials. It's an old relationship that doesn't exist anymore.
3) the container box in the swamp water.

320x144.

ildu · Wed 11/10/2006 00:11:40

Awesomely atmospheric entry, Buloght

.

Ok, dudes and dudettes, you have exactly 72 24 hours before voting begins. So get crackin', you lazy bums of society. There's still time to show everyone up. Don't let this be one of those moments you look back to in your 90's with bitter regret. You should have done this, and you should've done that. Shoulda woulda coulda buddha...Just do it already!

LilBlueSmurf · Thu 12/10/2006 00:16:34

Well, haven't been around forever and my team is gonna shoot me for working on this instead of our projects, but oh well.

320x240 20colors
(the instrument is the little reed flute, kinda easy to miss)

Snarky · Thu 12/10/2006 16:03:58

I have a work-in-progress that I unfortunately won't have time to finish by the deadline.

It was supposed to be a city sunk into a tropical swamp (inspired by JG Ballard's The Drowned World), but I never got around to adding the vegetation (as well as more details, make the buildings more run-down, fix the colors, reflections, shadows, etc.). This thumbnail sketch gives a rough idea of where I was going:

There would be technical instruments on the rooftop in the foreground, and the highway sign serving as a picture of something old.

ildu · Thu 12/10/2006 17:12:48

Well, it certainly wouldn't qualify by the rules, not having any swamp or all of the objects in it. But I guess I'll allow it. Hopefully people will vote accordingly.

EDIT:

There is still 6 hours before we start voting. So if anyone still has something in the works, finish up.

scotch · Thu 12/10/2006 18:44:05

Like the previous bg, this is unfinished and isn't a valid entry (missing items, mainly, but also doesn't really have a real walkable area). I just didn't read the rules when I did this, and I am too busy to add the items today...

ildu · Thu 12/10/2006 22:56:22

I was expecting this entry, so I'm glad you obliged, scotch

. Yeah, another entry that doesn't follow the rules properly, albeit it's visual quality. Again, I hope the voters will take that into consideration.

Exactly one hour to go before we start voting.

Chicky · Thu 12/10/2006 23:32:28

I think i'll enter, give me 20 minutes.

*edit*

here:

The little men climb through the black hole into a whole new world filled with water and greenery.

think i covered everything.

*edit 2*

It's a picture of a broken old box with small men inhabbiting it, one small man is sitting down next to the tied up shoe string playing guitar.

loominous · Fri 13/10/2006 00:00:26

The picture might be tricky to spot, but it's there. The odd looking drum like object is supposed to be some sort of large ship compass (instrument of navigation).

Could've used a couple of hours to touch it up, but the more relevant parts are fairly refined.

ildu · Fri 13/10/2006 00:18:52

Chicky: Haha, I didn't think you'd actually make it in time

. So where exactly are the items

?

loominous: Woah, I wasn't expecting this so late. But nevertheless, it's in

.

Well, anyways, time has run out and it's now time to start voting. So take out your pipes, magnifying glasses and notebooks and get ready to cast your ballots. We've got 12 entries:

01. Andail
02. SilverTrumpet
03. the victor
04. Penguin
05. Mikko
06. Neil Dnuma
07. buloght
08. LilBlueSmurf
09. Snarky
10. scotch
11. Chicky
12. loominous

Due to the great number of entries in this blitz, not to mention the exceptional standard of quality presented, I've decided that I'll extend the voting time until we have a satisfying number of votes. In my opinion it would be a travesty if such a fruitful and exciting blitz as this, were to be concluded by just a few voters. The artists deserve better. So, until we have at least around 15-16 voters, I'm extending it. Of course if the blitz gets more votes than that before the original voting period has ended, that's ok.

Voters take your marks: Ready. Steady. GO!

EDIT:

Oh and don't forget to give reasons for your choices. The artists deserve that as well

. And remember that you can only vote for one person per category. If you want to name runner-ups, make the actual choice clear! Ambigous votes will be disqualified. Also, participants may vote, too. And I'll probably vote myself as well

.

LimpingFish · Fri 13/10/2006 00:26:39

Best Idea - Neil Dnuma

Best Design - Loominus

Best Functionality - Loominus

Best Technique - Neil Dnuma

MashPotato · Fri 13/10/2006 00:41:22

Amazing entries :o. It's so hard to choose!

Idea: Scotch--> even though it didn't follow the rules exactly, I love how the island's trees seem to form a gateway into another world ^_^

Design: Penguin--> the cramped flatness gives this background a dark charm

Functionality: Buloght--> I demand you use this background in a game!

Technique: Loominous--> I think the picture speaks for itself ^_^

Elric · Fri 13/10/2006 00:41:37

Best Idea - Buloght : For implementing all the requirements masterfully and with a twist in interpreting them.

Best Design - loominous : for a piece of art a step above all others. Excellent eye path, a clear focal point, 2 point perspective and a great composition to boot.

Best Functionality - Mikko : The high point of pixel art over high-res. Clear paths and a "fit-in-the-character" environment.

Best Technique : loominous : I'd love to vote a less refined artist but I can't help but admire loominous' technique. Fantastic tones and what I love most in a painting - Emotion

Great job everyone, those were some awesome entries.

Mikko · Fri 13/10/2006 00:43:55

Super entries! Congrats to everyone.

My votes, it wasn't easy (especially the design vote):

Best Idea - 06. Neil Dnuma
Best Design - 10. Scotch
Best Functionality - 07. Buloght
Best Technique - 06. Neil Dnuma

ninepug · Fri 13/10/2006 00:46:20

Wow, everything is so very astoundingly good O:

Best Idea - Scotch, even though (as you said) it isn't suited as a functional background, I'd love to be treated to something like this in a game. Reminds me alot of a cover for a fantasy book :3 (The good covers).

Best Design - Loominous, the mood is absolutely killer fantastic, and things <3.

Best Functionality - Mikko, it's the only one that I can figure out how the walkable area would be like xD. Also has some nice clear objects.

Best Technique - Loominous, wow :3.

I would've voted for my own but it seems to have some problems showing up

.
I'll just have to make another one next time :3.

Mordalles · Fri 13/10/2006 00:48:50

Best Idea - Buloght. different ideas and interpretations.

Best Design - Loominous.

Best Functionality - Buloght.

Best Technique - Buloght. This was a tough one, since it's Buloght's brilliant pixelart up against loominous brilliant hi-res art. both equally amazing, I'm going with buloght since he captures that misty swampy night atmosphere with only a few pixel colours.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Fri 13/10/2006 00:50:17

Best Idea: Scotch
Best Design: Buloght
Best Functionality: Buloght
Best Technique: Scotch

Sylvr · Fri 13/10/2006 00:50:30

Haha, even with Andail's entry before mine I knew I had no chance. I forgot about the layers option and started treating it like ms paint

calacver · Fri 13/10/2006 00:55:20

Best Idea: Buloght, the heart idea got me! (chicky's was unique and almost had my vote)

Best Design: Loominous, that's some interesting design with the boat

Best Functionality: Neil Dnuma (very interesting playing area)

Best Technique: Buloght. It's seems the obvious choice is loominous, but man, buloght you master pixel art and that is amazing with the atmosphere you create with plain old pixel art. Neil Dnuma was also in consideration here.

Neil Dnuma · Fri 13/10/2006 01:36:05

Pfff... so damn hard.

Best Idea: Chicky, that has to be the best idea ever!
Best Design: Scotch. I like how the triangular shapes are implemented. The centre - the dark hole - is an amazing touch. Great colors. I love this piece!
Best functionality: Mikko. Everything is clearly laid out in a still very artful and moody BG (I was planning on doing a piano myself until I saw this and had to think up something else!).
Best technique: Loominous. Sven Nykvist - the master of light - recently passed away (RIP), but there appears to be another master of light living and well in Sweden... In the BG Blitz he seems to always be a step ahead, although there were some great competition in this category, like pixel-master buloght, the great palette and style (and theme) from Penguin, and Andail's romantic location. Scotch and Mikko also considered here of course.

So much greatness, so few votes to give

EDIT: Spelling

boojiboy · Fri 13/10/2006 08:54:53

Tough comp. Amazing entries. Although I didn't vote for Scotch because it doesn't really follow the rules and isn't great for functionality, I'd like to point out that it's an amazing image and probably the best image in the comp (close to Loominous')

Best Idea: Buloght - The most swamp like BG and great incorporation of the habitat with the swamp.
Best Design: Loominous - A design that gets all my juices flowing.
Best Functionality: Mikko -
Best Technique: Loominous - Amazing work of art. Beautiful painting

Eclectic_mind · Fri 13/10/2006 09:11:01

Really awesome entries. Unfortunately, I can't see Andail's picture (dead link) though that was nice too. My votes:

best idea - Neil Dnuma
best design - Neil Dnuma (this was a hard one and if Scotch have entered I would voted for him maybe...)
best functionality - Mikko
best technique - Loominous

i also would like to ask how these high res pictures are done? You draw it on paper than scan and make contours with ps/psp? Or some entirely different technique? What ps/psp tools do you use. I would welcome a tutorial, please shed light on these dark secrets.

Cino · Fri 13/10/2006 09:29:18

best idea - Neil Dnuma
best design - loominous
best functionality - Mikko
best technique - buloght

ildu · Fri 13/10/2006 10:13:02

Quote from: Eclectic_mind on Fri 13/10/2006 09:11:01i also would like to ask how these high res pictures are done? You draw it on paper than scan and make contours with ps/psp? Or some entirely different technique? What ps/psp tools do you use. I would welcome a tutorial, please shed light on these dark secrets.

People don't use paper and scanner anymore, unless they need a hand-drawn finish or they can't get access to a computer. You just draw the outlines or basic shapes with a tablet and then add detail until the image is good enough. There are various techniques for drawing it, though.

Check out some digital painting tutorials at:

http://3dtotal.com/ (click on Free Stuff -> Tutorials -> Digital Painting)

And their concept art gallery is here:

http://3dtotal.com/home2/gallery/gallery.asp?cat=2dconcept

Chicky · Fri 13/10/2006 12:44:39

Ildu, it's a picture (see picture frame) of an old cardboard box in the middle of a swamp with small men from another world inhabbiting it.

And thanks Neil. It was late at night, i was high and i wanted something to do

buloght · Fri 13/10/2006 13:07:19

best idea, design, technique: Loominous: If you don't make a game soon I'm going to do suicide.

best functionality: mikko: that's one for the pixel!!

[edit]: all the entries are great, thanks to ildu's great topic hosting skills. And thanks for the kind words and votes.

Buckethead · Fri 13/10/2006 15:06:29

Isn't this just the greastest BG blitz ever?

Too many good entries... I just can't chose.

Chicky · Fri 13/10/2006 16:28:23

You obviously weren't around for the great Blitz of '02, Bucket head.

ildu · Fri 13/10/2006 22:05:31

Best Idea - buloght. I was surprised by the general uniformity of the items in most of the entries. I was first gonna vote for the victor for utilizing all items in same object (guitar case, guitar and poster inside guitar case), but then buloght took it up a notch with his unique interpretation. Chicky was also a clear candidate.

Best Design - scotch. Now this was a bit more difficult for me. There were numerous ample options to choose from, and to come to my conclusion, I really had to think what the term 'design' actually means. Should I reward Penguin for his excellent palette, Neil Dnuma for his imagination, scotch for his vision, buloght for his extraordinary pixel work or loominous for his apparent masterful touch? Well, in the end I decided to go with scotch, because his entry is not only beautiful, but also colorfully evocative.

Best Functionality - Mikko. Well, this was a no-brainer. Only a few entries here were traditionally feasible as adventure game backgrounds, namely Mikko, buloght and some others. I was actually gonna go with buloght at first, but then I noticed the rock walkway to the opening of the tree, which I thought wouldn't have been the best choice in a working adventure game

. How conservative of me, I know

.

Best Technique - loominous. This was kind of a no-brainer for me. While the entries varied vastly by technique and there were a lot of interesting techniques used, I still found myself embracing loominous' most. I'd absolutely love an adventure game done in that particular concept artsy type of style. Other very considerable options were scotch, LilBlueSmurf, buloght, Neil Dnuma, Penguin and Andail.

Neil: I'm so very sorry I didn't vote for you in any of the categories. I so would've wanted to

.

Ok, so there's still 2 hours left to vote. Get your behinds off the couch and start typing. 12 magnificent entries deserve more than 14 votes! Don't think for one second that you're excused, soldier. The army is a company and I'm here to handle it's business.

Mordalles · Fri 13/10/2006 22:07:52

Best Host of a background blitz: Ildu

Privateer Puddin' · Fri 13/10/2006 22:09:53

Quote from: Neil Dnuma on Fri 13/10/2006 01:36:05
Best Idea: Chicky, that has to be the best idea ever!
Best Design: Scotch. I like how the triangular shapes are implemented. The centre - the dark hole - is an amazing touch. Great colors. I love this piece!
Best functionality: Mikko. Everything is clearly laid out in a still very artful and moody BG (I was planning on doing a piano myself until I saw this and had to think up something else!).
Best technique: Loominous. Sven Nykvist - the master of light - recently passed away (RIP), but there appears to be another master of light living and well in Sweden... In the BG Blitz he seems to always be a step ahead, although there were some great competition in this category, like pixel-master buloght, the great palette and style (and theme) from Penguin, and Andail's romantic location. Scotch and Mikko also considered here of course.

Sorry to quote and vote like this, but this is perfect match for my voting and comments Â¬Â¬

loominous · Sat 14/10/2006 00:02:29

Indeed great entries.

Idea:

I like Neil's idea about a distorted organ in the middle of a swamp, echoing throughout the forest. I think what bothers me about the execution is that it doesn't look weather proof, and although the idea itself is a bit fantasy like, so one could make the argument that it doesn't have to take these things into consideration, I think it would've helped envisioning someone sitting there playing all night long.

I think Bulought had the cleverest ideas regarding the extra rules, but since they're a relatively small part of the pictures, I'll go with Neil.

Design:

Scotch's island design is about the coolest thing I've seen in here - and those cliffs on the left side of it are gorgeous.

On the other hand, I find Bulought's entry more consistently excellent designwise, especially those large tree windows, and the atmosphere is great.

It's a tough choice, but since I favour consistency, and since scotch's entry wasn't really in line with the rules, Bulought it is.

Functionality:

Mikko's layout is very clear, so he's an obvious candidate, however the style makes makes it easy to accomplish.

Neil's style and perspective is a bit more complex but is still very functional.

Bulought's would seem to have worked well in a game, however it seems like the character's movement isn't very restricted, unless he/she is supposed to be able to walk anywhere, and I'm not sure how the walkway up to the house would've worked.

Since Neil has managed to combine a more complex style with functionality, I'll go with Neil

Technique:

Scotch's style stunned me at first - there's some really excellent parts in it, but I think it lacks consistency too much in the current state, something would've probably been fixed if there would've been more time to refine it.

Bulought's entry makes an excellent use of few colours to provide impressive lighting (I really like how he's captured the texture of the house tree), and it's generally really well done.

So, Bulought once more.

-

Afraid I'm late late as usual, so I didn't have time to comment any more pieces.

Kweepa · Sat 14/10/2006 00:04:02

Best idea: Chicky. Crazy!
Best design: Neil Dnuma. Beautiful elements.
Best functionality: Neil Dnuma. Could work very well in a game.
Best technique: scotch. It reminds me of 70s sci-fi novel covers.

ildu · Sat 14/10/2006 01:05:07

Right! Voting is now officially closed and the results are in. But...first I'd like to say a few words:

Well, it was an awesome blitz. The participation was great, the quality standard was through the roof, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I hope it was as enjoyable for you to compete, judge and browse as it was for me to host. I also hope the 3-item rule addition added a little more fun and challenge to the task, and if people liked it, I'd love for other hosts to use it in the future. Though, I was a bit baffled by the uniformity of the items in the entries. Everyone, except for a select few, had a musical instrument, and almost everyone had either a box or a barrel as the broken container. I was expecting at least one cage

.

Nevertheless, onto the results. Let's give all the artists a big hand as we announce the winners of the Background Blitz:

1st place:Ã,Â Ã,Â Ã,Â loominous, with an astounding 19 votes!

2nd place:Ã,Â Ã,Â buloght, who gathered a highly competitive 15 votes!

3rd place:Ã,Â Ã,Â Ã,Â Neil Dnuma, giving strong opposition with 12 votes!

4th place:Ã,Â Ã,Â Ã,Â scotch and Mikko, who tied with 9 votes!

Most votes by category:

Best idea - buloght ( 5 ), Neil Dnuma ( 5 )
Best design - loominous ( 8 )
Best functionality - Mikko ( 9 )
Best technique - loominous ( 9 )

Entries/Voters:Ã,Â Ã,Â 12/17

Let's give a big hand to loominous for his awesome winning entry. And let's not forget the brave souls who put up quite a fight.

I guess the body-mangling thing is out since it's not Friday 13th anymore

. You have the floor, loominous. Take it away

.

NOTE:

I'd like to hear people's impressions of the blitz, the 3-item rule (is it worth keeping?), and congratulations to the participants, so let's keep this thread open for a little bit longer before it gets locked.

iSTVAN · Sat 14/10/2006 03:07:12

Even though it's too late to vote in the actual catagories the work here is too impressive to not comment!

My favourite pixel backgrounds were by Mikko and Buloght. My fav CG ones were by scotch and loominous. All four of them create a brilliant sense of atmosphere. Thanks for inspiring me!

Mikko · Sat 14/10/2006 09:27:12

First of all, thank you very much for functionality votes. And even though I don't take part because I'd wanted to win or anything, it is good to notice that with different categories of voting, different type of backgrounds (eg. pixel art vs. digital painting) can enter and are still taken seriously. It might make the voting harder, but that only shows how much people here respect all sorts of digital art.

I hope that made sense. I just woke up and I am still a bit sleepy.

Congratulations to all contestants and to our winner loominous! Huge thank you to our host ildu!

About the 3-item rule, I liked it and as long as they are not too specific items I'd like to see that in further competitions. It doesn't necessarily be just three item, but something from one to three. But like I said, not in the way of: "...and you need to have piano in it...", but rather (like you had): "...any kind of instrument, not just musical...".

Thanks again, I hope to have time enter the next one too.

loominous · Sat 14/10/2006 14:10:34

Thanks, and kudos to ildu for a well hosted round.

I think the 3-item rule was a nice and interesting bonus, and I think similar innovations would be a great way to keep the activity fresh, which is why I'd rather see the rule as an alternative for the host to use, rather than a permanent addition.

Speaking of rules, while I think the current voting categories work pretty well, the design/idea/technique categories are a bit vague, in that there's the possibility of interpreting design choices as ideas, technique as design choices, etc.

I suppose this could be fixed with more clear (not to mention gramatically correct) descriptions, but it would be interesting to hear some alternative ideas.

Some examples (I'm not advocating any of these):

*Idea
*Execution

(A concise alternative, but doesn't provide the indirect criticism of the current categories)

*Idea
*Design (Landscape/Architecture/Objects)
*Mood/atmosphere
*Composition
*Colours
*Lighting
*Walkway solutions
*Viewing angle

(An elaborate and less ambigious version of the current categories, which would provide lots of indirect criticism, and would probably eliminate the need for a category description, though it's messier)

Again, these are just examples.