Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Competitions & Activities => Topic started by: Snarky on Fri 25/04/2014 18:17:25

Title: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Ended)
Post by: Snarky on Fri 25/04/2014 18:17:25
You Can't Get There From Here

(http://i.cubeupload.com/GrhCNJ.png)

For this Blitz, you have to draw a background with (at least) two separate walkable areas, where you can't simply walk from one right onto the other. Despite the title, it doesn't need to be literally impossible to get from one place to the other, but it should implicitly involve e.g. climbing, jumping, swimming, taking a detour, fixing a broken bridge or ladder, getting past a locked door, etc.

No format restrictions.
Let's make the initial deadline 11. May, 2014, with the opportunity to ask for extensions if needed.

Edit: Voting is now open, until 22. May. See details in this post (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=50390.msg636488081#msg636488081).
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Armageddon on Fri 25/04/2014 23:37:02
Those backgrounds you picked are very inspiring. I wish I had skill to enter.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: dactylopus on Sat 26/04/2014 05:32:02
This is a great theme.  Those backgrounds look fantastic, great references.  I'm looking forward to seeing the results!
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: miguel on Sat 26/04/2014 11:44:11
I've just finished a background that I'm going to use in a game. Can I submit it here?
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Snarky on Sat 26/04/2014 14:24:19
Hmmm, usually it's been a rule that it should be something you make for the Blitz, not something you already have lying around. I guess the idea is that the Blitz should inspire people to make more backgrounds (plus the contest even-playing-field aspect, I suppose, though as we routinely extend the deadline, I'm not so concerned about that).

On the other hand, what matters more to me is to have different AGSers sharing their art, and to see their different takes on one idea. Plus it seems that every entry encourages others, and the more the merrier! So I'm inclined to let it in, unless there are objections.

How about this? You choose whether you want it to be an official Blitz entry, and at the end the people voting can decide whether they want to consider it a valid entry or not. Otherwise you can just post it here as a non-competing exhibit.

(I actually just happened to get an idea for a BG that would fit the theme, and if I do make it I'll post it as an outside-of-competition example.)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Dropped Monocle Games on Sat 26/04/2014 14:48:35
Okay, I haven't taken part on a background blitz before but I'm trying to get better at making backgrounds... so I'm going to join this one
here is the idea I have at the moment, I'll just keep updating this post as I go :D

Concept
(http://i.imgur.com/4BY3YPj.png)

In the works (30/04/14)
(http://i.imgur.com/5tsd8al.png)

wasn't happy with the lighting, so made everything darker ;) (2/05/14)
(http://i.imgur.com/slkbE1N.png)

more work done! (6/05/14)
(http://i.imgur.com/4vripG1.png)

FINISHED!!
(http://i.imgur.com/4mENxUX.png)

High-Res version (http://i.imgur.com/qlXF3Mu.png)


Quote from: Snarky on Sat 26/04/2014 14:24:19
How about this? You choose whether you want it to be an official Blitz entry, and at the end the people voting can decide whether they want to consider it a valid entry or not. Otherwise you can just post it here as a non-competing exhibit.
Good Idea! I would like to see the background too :)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Giraffadon on Sun 27/04/2014 00:01:09
Hey all, there's some nice examples here.

I look forward to seeing everyone's interpretations.

(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag442/Dominicliamstott/Jungleplanecrash_zps5aa422d4.png)

Here's mine, about halfway through painting, i would have done more but i took advantage of the nice
weather and did some fishing. ;)

The plane needs a lot more work and there's no foliage yet but i'll submit what i have on the 11th.

Edit: 11/05
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag442/Dominicliamstott/Jungleplanecrashtest_zps694de272.png)

Here's what i have, it's unfinished as things got busy for me. If i had more time i'd add lots more foliage and
sort the sky out, i'd also add the native's village in the bottom left corner.
However, i don't want an extension, two weeks was a fair amount of time.

Anyway it was fun to work on and i'll probably spend the time to finish it.


:)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: miguel on Sun 27/04/2014 01:44:15
Okay Snarky, sounds fair. I'll reserve this space for my background.
Not posting now because I have objects in the room that I'll incorporate into the background.

Edit: this background is fresh, finished it today (26th April) and it happens to be "right" for the theme. I wouldn't ask to join if it was something I had stored.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So,

(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm54/miguel20000/tower_level3_zps8e536d2d.png)


as you can see there's still some line work to perfect. But I will not work on it a lot more. So I may or not keep working on it... And with this last interesting phrase I wish all the participants good luck and happy inspirations!
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: jwalt on Sun 27/04/2014 03:17:27
Well, you actually can get from here to there, but you might wind up as a hood ornament on the 120 Limited that does not make this stop.

(http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o756/jwalt10705/train1_zps2c1f880c.gif)

If I can find the time, I have a couple of additional things I'd like to try here, but I can't promise anything.

Edit: Rainy Sunday kept me indoors, so I did a bit with my image:

(http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o756/jwalt10705/bTrain1_zps2539d832.gif)

Edit 2: Still Sunday, and still raining. Dumped a couple more things into the scene, but I maybe should have quit while I was ahead.

(http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o756/jwalt10705/subwaySerenade1_zps798ec7fc.gif)




Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Sun 27/04/2014 15:05:21
I tried doing something a bit different to what I normally do, and so of course it came out looking exactly like everything else I draw, boohohohohoo :cry::=:

(http://i57.tinypic.com/1amvo.png)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: dactylopus on Sun 27/04/2014 20:45:36
Great stuff so far, guys!  I'm impressed at how good they all are, and the variety of styles!
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: gingersnap on Sat 03/05/2014 00:34:23
Oh, I would like to play too! And here I will submit what I have before I think better of it.

So far, not a lot of texturing. I might come back to it before the deadline, but I'm also trying to get other stuff done. Hopefully the image explains itself.

*Edit: More textures. And I think I'm done with this one.

(http://i.imgur.com/8YuO80t.jpg)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Babar on Sat 03/05/2014 12:55:52
Quote from: gingersnap on Sat 03/05/2014 00:34:23
Oh, I would like to play too! And here I will submit what I have before I think better of it.

So far, not a lot of texturing. I might come back to it before the deadline, but I'm also trying to get other stuff done. Hopefully the image explains itself.
That's pretty slick. Kinda reminds me of that apartment room in Technobabylon. You should do 3D BGs of it! :D
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Snarky on Sat 03/05/2014 14:56:26
Yes, 'cause between the Wadjet Eye remake and the Occulus Rift remake, we're certainly in need of another one. (roll)

Love seeing so many cool and varied entries. For some reason, I always like it when you have a screen with sections you can't reach directly. It gives a little tantalizing glimpse of somewhere you're only going to get to later by a different path.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Fri 09/05/2014 10:48:00
Quote from: Babar on Sat 03/05/2014 12:55:52
Kinda reminds me of that apartment room in Technobabylon.
Well when I drew it I could never DREAM of doing something as AAA as gingersnap did. It makes me wanna cry :~(
On a different note : I'm probably entering the game -- I'm reading through our game script to see if a background could match the theme. Two birds with one stone, y'know. I'm certain the motivation can help produce a better result.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Snarky on Fri 09/05/2014 11:44:40
If anyone needs an extension, please let me know before the deadline.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Cassiebsg on Fri 09/05/2014 17:17:14
Mines unfinished, but lets face it, even with an extension I probably won't have the time to finish it anyway. So I'll post it, just for the sake of participating. :)

(http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww258/Cassiebsg/Jake/back2.png)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Giraffadon on Fri 09/05/2014 23:31:26
Great minds think alike :)

Great entries everybody!
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Dropped Monocle Games on Sat 10/05/2014 12:42:18
I have finished mine

(http://i.imgur.com/4mENxUX.png)

Link to Higher-Res version :D (http://i.imgur.com/qlXF3Mu.png)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Sat 10/05/2014 16:11:30
Is the limit the 11th INCLUDED, or excluded?
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: selmiak on Sat 10/05/2014 16:27:45
just go and paint your BG already! :-D
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Snarky on Sat 10/05/2014 16:40:28
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.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Sat 10/05/2014 19:07:37
Quote from: selmiak link=topic=50390.msg636487936#msg636487936 date=139973http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/Smileys/AGS/undecided.gif5665
just go and paint your BG already! :-D

I've started it yesterday.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Sun 11/05/2014 00:37:17
I'm done. What do you make of that?
Just kidding. First draft.

(https://31.media.tumblr.com/40a1db89493b46db6977b0970600114f/tumblr_n5dtipLjTB1tsfksfo1_1280.png)
@selmiak just in case you wonder, this will be 03-02 and 03-03 as one scrolling background.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Gurok on Sun 11/05/2014 04:57:25
Quote from: Monsieur OUXX on Sun 11/05/2014 00:37:17
I'm done. What do you make of that?

The sky looks good.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Sun 11/05/2014 18:46:14
Quote from: Gurok on Sun 11/05/2014 04:57:25
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]
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: selmiak on Sun 11/05/2014 21:53:58
looking great already!
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Snarky on Mon 12/05/2014 11:57:36
OK, do you want a couple more days to finish your bg, Mr. Ouxx? Should we say Friday?
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Mon 12/05/2014 12:38:31
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.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: Snarky on Mon 12/05/2014 15:33:48
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:

Quote from: Soxbrooker on Sat 26/04/2014 14:48:35
(http://i.imgur.com/4mENxUX.png)

High-Res version (http://i.imgur.com/qlXF3Mu.png)

Quote from: Giraffadon on Sun 27/04/2014 00:01:09

(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag442/Dominicliamstott/Jungleplanecrash_zps5aa422d4.png)

Edit: 11/05
(http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag442/Dominicliamstott/Jungleplanecrashtest_zps694de272.png)

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

Quote from: miguel on Sun 27/04/2014 01:44:15
(http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm54/miguel20000/tower_level3_zps8e536d2d.png)

Quote from: jwalt on Sun 27/04/2014 03:17:27
(http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o756/jwalt10705/subwaySerenade1_zps798ec7fc.gif)

Quote from: ThreeOhFour on Sun 27/04/2014 15:05:21
(http://i57.tinypic.com/1amvo.png)

Quote from: gingersnap on Sat 03/05/2014 00:34:23
(http://i.imgur.com/8YuO80t.jpg)

Quote from: Cassiebsg on Fri 09/05/2014 17:17:14
(http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww258/Cassiebsg/Jake/back2.png)

Quote from: Monsieur OUXX on Mon 12/05/2014 12:38:31
[imgzoom]http://31.media.tumblr.com/4d296e189edf3e13975ee1c618c378e7/tumblr_n5glgatBE31tsfksfo1_1280.gif[/imgzoom]
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Now voting!)
Post by: Gurok on Tue 13/05/2014 03:57:13
Concept: jwalt
Artistic Execution: jwalt
Playability: jwalt


Edit: Sorry, I missed the voting info. first time around.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here
Post by: dactylopus on Tue 13/05/2014 05:22:55
Great work all around!  Some of these were difficult to decide, but I've got some votes:

Conceptjwalt 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 ExecutionThreeOhFour 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.
Playabilitygingersnap 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!
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Now voting!)
Post by: miguel on Tue 13/05/2014 11:30:54
Concept: jwalt
Artistic Execution: MonsieurOUXX
Playability: jwalt
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Now voting!)
Post by: Babar on Tue 13/05/2014 11:44:26
Concept: jwalt
Artistic Execution: gingersnap
Playability: jwalt
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Now voting!)
Post by: Problem on Tue 13/05/2014 12:08:57
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.

Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Now voting!)
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Tue 13/05/2014 12:52:01
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 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi50wqhgNHo)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Now voting!)
Post by: selmiak on Wed 14/05/2014 20:32:56
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 :)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Now voting!)
Post by: kaput on Wed 14/05/2014 22:37:36
Concept: 304
Artistic Execution: gingersnap closely followed by Monsieur OUXX. T'was a tough choice.
Playability: gingersnap
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Now voting!)
Post by: Cassiebsg on Wed 14/05/2014 22:57:48
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...
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Now voting!)
Post by: Giraffadon on Sat 17/05/2014 14:53:41
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)

:)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Now voting!)
Post by: Snarky on Mon 19/05/2014 12:02:01
Shame your image links are broken, Giraffadon. I never even got to see the finished version. Get better image hosting! :)

Concept: miguel

It's a simple version of the concept, but to me it's the one that most clearly communicates that there's an interesting part of the screen you can't reach by a direct approach, and that gives me the strongest sense of "I want to go to there".

Artistic Execution: gingersnaps
I'm not normally much for 3D rendering, but the way you've used the light and color gives it an almost hand-painted feel. Very nice!

Playability: Cassiebsg
Close contest between Cassiebsg and gingersnaps, whose backgrounds both suggest a number of possible puzzles. (As do most of the other backgrounds.) But that challenge of getting up from (or down to) that ledge sets my mind running, so I'll go for that. Giraffadon might also have been a contender for this one if I could have seen his final version. :~(

Great job everybody! The other Blitz idea I was considering was something requiring interior BGs, since I feel those tend to be underrepresented in this contest, so I was particularly happy to see that we got a good mix of inside and outside scenes.

A couple of days left for voting, so if you haven't already, please get your vote in!
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Now voting!)
Post by: AprilSkies on Tue 20/05/2014 14:57:38
Voting is really difficult. All great entries!
Concept: jwalt (it's really hard to imagine how to go on the other side)
Artistic Execution: MonsieurOUXX (it was difficult to chose between MonsieurOuxx and ThreeOhFour)
Playability: Miguel (a lot of stuff here and a lot of potential puzzles)
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Now voting!)
Post by: Snarky on Fri 23/05/2014 13:17:03
OK, voting has now ended, and the winner is: jwalt, with 12 votes! Second place gingersnap (9), followed by TheeOfFour (6) in third.

Congratulations, and thanks again to all the contestants.
Title: Re: Background Blitz: You Can't Get There From Here (Ended)
Post by: jwalt on Fri 23/05/2014 15:46:21
Thanks, Mr. Snarky, for an interesting Blitz. Also, thanks, all, for the kind comments and votes. I've got an idea for the next one, and should have it up in a bit.