Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Ended)

[selmiak]

just go and paint your BG already!

[Snarky]

Exactly.

Given the tendency I some people have to push deadlines as much as possible, I won't consider the "11. May" one to have passed until the day is safely over in all time zones. And if anyone does need more time, you can always request an extension.

[Monsieur OUXX]

just go and paint your BG already!

I've started it yesterday.

[Monsieur OUXX]

I'm done. What do you make of that?
Just kidding. First draft.


@selmiak just in case you wonder, this will be 03-02 and 03-03 as one scrolling background.

[Gurok]

I'm done. What do you make of that?

The sky looks good.

[Monsieur OUXX]

The sky looks good.

It's the only bit I didn't draw myself

I'm still working on it. Maybe I won't be finished tonight, but I'm having fun.
[imgzoom]https://31.media.tumblr.com/d81e26f3802d16f011847b0cefc3feb4/tumblr_n5f7py3RQ11tsfksfo1_1280.png[/imgzoom]

[selmiak]

looking great already!

[Snarky]

OK, do you want a couple more days to finish your bg, Mr. Ouxx? Should we say Friday?

[Monsieur OUXX]

Thanks Snarky, but I think I'm done. That bg would need much more work, but that's good enough not to block everyone for the contest. Here is my entry :

[imgzoom]http://31.media.tumblr.com/4d296e189edf3e13975ee1c618c378e7/tumblr_n5glgatBE31tsfksfo1_1280.gif[/imgzoom]

The brutal transition between the left part and the right part is by design, as there will be a quick scroll (left or right) when the character enters or exits the cave. Still, this is one background.

EDIT: ooops, the symbols on the stone don't disappear when the stone disappears. I screwed up my layers when making the animated gif. Oh well. Nevermind.

[Snarky]

OK, in that case it's time to vote! Name your favorite entry in each of the following categories:

Concept: The coolest, most creative idea; the one that offers the best response to the rules and spirit of the Blitz topic.
Artistic Execution: The most technically and artistically accomplished image; the most successful expression of a personal artistic style.
Playability: The screen that would work best as an adventure game background (with possible interactions, walkable areas, exits, etc); a screen that would be fun to play.

Edit: Oh right, a deadline... Well, let's give it ten days, until Thursday 22. May.

And here are the entries:

High-Res version

Edit: 11/05


(That second version doesn't show up for me.)

[imgzoom]http://31.media.tumblr.com/4d296e189edf3e13975ee1c618c378e7/tumblr_n5glgatBE31tsfksfo1_1280.gif[/imgzoom]

[Gurok]

Concept: jwalt
Artistic Execution: jwalt
Playability: jwalt


Edit: Sorry, I missed the voting info. first time around.

[dactylopus]

Great work all around!  Some of these were difficult to decide, but I've got some votes:

Concept:  jwalt gets the vote here.  I think that this concept directly tackles the theme.  I like the setting, I've had trouble in subways trying to figure out how to get to the opposing platform.  jwalt's art is also showing nice signs of improvement, I'm looking forward to playing a game in this style.
Artistic Execution:  ThreeOhFour gets my vote here.  This is a great background, as usual.   The art is splendid and dreamy.  It looks like it would make a nice setting for a game.
Playability:  gingersnap has, in my eyes, the most playable room here.  I love the futuristic setting.  I can imagine myself actually trying to figure out how to get from one space to the next.  Also, the art quality is great.

Congratulations to all of the participants!

[miguel]

Concept: jwalt
Artistic Execution: MonsieurOUXX
Playability: jwalt

[Babar]

Concept: jwalt
Artistic Execution: gingersnap
Playability: jwalt

[Problem]

Concept: jwalt. I think it's the most unique interpretation of the theme.

Artistic Execution: This is a difficult one. I'll vote for gingersnap, closely followed by Soxbrooker and ThreeOhFour.

Playability: Soxbrooker. Lots of possibilities for puzzles with three inaccessible locations on a single screen.

[Monsieur OUXX]

concept : cassiebsg (it's the only one really that gives a challenge to the player to reach a distant area, while not making it seemingly impossible to reach the goal area; it gives visual clues on how to reach it).
execution : ben304 (even though gingersnap's bg is gorgeous)
playability: gingersnap (because it has all those potentially clickable areas)

EDIT: for eye candy, this is the background in action : VIDEO

[selmiak]

concept: jwalt
This is the most creative scene in the sense of the theme. Constant trains stop you from reaching the other side. Requires the most creative solution too.

artistiv execution: gingersnap
cool 3d scene with a very portal like scifi feel. This is always cool. I'd like to play this, but I imagine reaching the unreachable place requires pushing or not pushing a button, which is a pretty useless gameplayidea so that's why in vote in the next category for

playability: 304
I imagine solving some mythical puzzle and the inbetween plate magically appear, and I so want to play this and walk on

[kaput]

Concept: 304
Artistic Execution: gingersnap closely followed by Monsieur OUXX. T'was a tough choice.
Playability: gingersnap

[Cassiebsg]

Concept: jwalt (I think once you move to actual realistic rendering... wow )
Artistic Execution: ThreeOhFour (lovely lovely one!)
Playability: gingersnap (and if it wasn~t for 3o4, it would also have my vote on artistic)

Lovely BGs all! Hard to choose...

[Giraffadon]

Concept: Soxbrooker(The lava is the greatest obstacle)
Artistic Execution: Monsieur OUXX( I like the colours, those deep reds to oranges)
Playability: ThreeOhFour( would be a fun place to explore)