Splash screen for AGS Editor

[Crimson Wizard]

Moderator gave me permission to start this .

Winner is declared
It is this splash by abstauber:


Summary
We don't have an original splash graphic, I mean the one in layered format, only flattened bitmap, and it makes it difficult to make any changes to the text, such as version number.
We need either current image recreated with layers, or a totally new one, if anyone would like to try.

The current bitmap can be found in the Editor sources, e.g.:
https://github.com/adventuregamestudio/ags/blob/master/Editor/AGS.Editor/Resources/splash.bmp
Also, the original 3.2 bitmap:
http://www.mediafire.com/view/psopo5xrqdsa74p/splash.bmp


Requirements and Restrictions:
1. Layered image of well-supported format, which would allow to change separate parts of image when needed (most importantly text and version numbers): Adobe Photoshop doc, Paint.NET doc, etc.
The flattened image format does not really matter ATM, because having layered one we may convert it to whatever format we need. Here you may display it as BMP or PNG.
2. Choose reasonable size for a splash. Keep in mind that some people may have low display resolutions (like around 1280x720), so don't go extreme. Original is 400x250 which is nice, I guess that 640x400 is a top limit.
3. Any color depth, transparency is allowed.
4. Content requirements:
- Blue Cup!
- Title should be "Adventure Game Studio".
- Should have version number. The number of digits may vary with design, X.Y is minimum, but you may leave space for three digits and more (for tags like "Alpha", "Beta", "RC" etc).
- Be creative, think of the ways to mark special releases (like Beta) by changing color of some shape or dedicated part of image.

Please post the splash with any version number as an example.

Deadline.
July 2013.
I think we could use this for next big release (like 3.4), but it is not yet known when that will happen.


The new splash will be chosen by public voting.

[san.daniele]

I will give it a try.
I think the idea of having something like a contest for this has great benefits, but I see some potential problems with this.

Deadline.
July 2013, but may be extended.

for 90% of people (myself included) this is an invitation to just forget it, after they told themselves "oh, with all this time I can think about this later on."

[Crimson Wizard]

Deadline.
July 2013, but may be extended.

for 90% of people (myself included) this is an invitation to just forget it, after they told themselves "oh, with all this time I can think about this later on."

Fixed.

[abstauber]

Is it okay to submit more than splash per person yay

Here's a first version to get this started



Now with a more serious approach (which can be shrinked to 640x400 of course)


Metro AGS


Neon night sky


Metro reloaded


AGS App

tried out a tutorial and didn't change much

[Crimson Wizard]

Is it okay to submit more than splash per person?

I guess it is. Having a good splash screen is higher priority.

[abstauber]

Another quick question: do you really need a rectangular bmp? Transparency support would be pretty cool though.

[cat]

I already thought about making a cup-shaped pic 

[Crimson Wizard]

Another quick question: do you really need a rectangular bmp? Transparency support would be pretty cool though.

I already thought about making a cup-shaped pic 

Yes, that is possible. I made a quick test with random-shaped PNG before and it worked well, except for one weird thing... no matter what I tried it displayed a 1px black border around splash window. Probably I need to look deeper into how .NET windows work.

[abstauber]

alright, thanks for the info. Though currently I'm unable to think outside the box

[selmiak]

[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/bbcup.png[/imgzoom]
I'm not so happy with the outcome as
1) my painted cup looked crap and I don't have a blue cup so this one is colored in PS
2) the teabag looks crappy

I wouldn't mind if someone builds on this idea an builds a bluecup in 3d with the teabag somehow coming in closer to the viewer or so...

[Crimson Wizard]

This is becoming interesting.

[Ryan Timothy B]

I'm absolutely loving Abs's metro splash screen.

[Ghost]

I'm absolutely loving Abs's metro splash screen.

I second that praise. It's clean, minimalistic and appealing, and it looks as if it would never "get out of style", too. It's clearly the potential Fonz of AGS splash screens!

[Crimson Wizard]

I'm absolutely loving Abs's metro splash screen.

I second that praise. It's clean, minimalistic and appealing, and it looks as if it would never "get out of style", too. It's clearly the potential Fonz of AGS splash screens!

For same reason I don't like it, because it looks too "serious" for amateur game editor . Just my humble opinion.

[Ghost]

Well, okay, but do we want a splash screen that intentionally shouts "AMATEUR!*"?  Personally I'd prefer a simple design over a whimsical one. They are fun and great to look at (think about Radiant's "Cuppit") but that wears off. But I'm sure there'll be more entries here, and I am confident that there'll be one that pleases everyone 

__
* I really think of AGS much higher. It powers several successful, commercial games, a huge number of amazing freeware, and at least three long-running series. That's not amateur.

[Dropped Monocle Games]

I love the first one by abstauber! look fantastic.. I may give this ago!

[Stupot]

This is my first entry

Jokes aside, would it be possible to insert randomly generated images or screenshots in the same way that the current splash inserts those random taglines?

[Crimson Wizard]

Jokes aside, would it be possible to insert randomly generated images or screenshots in the same way that the current splash inserts those random taglines?

Yes, that's possible. The splash is not a constant object, it's a .NET window, meaning it may be constructed and programmed as wanted.

[Stupot]

Oh cool.  Such a feature would probably be a bit overkill anyway, but interesting to know it would work.
Here's an alternative:

I lack that professional touch to be a serious contender, but this is a good excuse for some much-needed Photoshop practice.

[Gilbert]

SPLASH!

Not meant to be serious, of course.

[Stupot]

SPLASH!
Not meant to be serious, of course.

It's better than mine :/

[abstauber]

To join the discussion, I'm also in favour of a minimalistic splash screen which doesn't distract from the topic. A wacky screen with crazy cup stuff happening, would imho create the impression that AGS is incapable of doing anything right. AGS might not be an enterprise tool, but you can create great competitive software with it.
This might also be a bad excuse that I can't come up with anything entertaining

[Stupot]

I agree that simple is better, but extreme minimalism, like the 'metro' one, is maybe a bit too 'windows 8' for me.  I know that's all the vogue these days, and it does look quite professional, but I don't mind having something to look at either. I really love your 'neon' one. Really nice to look at and a great take on the cup idea without being at all cheesy or wacky.

[kaput]

IMO abstauber's first one is the cleanest and has a good balance of simplicity. The second one is pretty nice too - if not a little busy? It's got the blue cup and shows the editor, though. It's also very calming. The metro one is far too Windows 8. The neon night sky one puts me off a bit, even if it is a nice design.

So if I had to choose, it would be the first one

[selmiak]

some more

Flat cup

Spoiler

[close]

grande cup

Spoiler

[close]

grande cup with round handle

Spoiler

[close]

[Ghost]

selmiak, I think the first one (flat cup) is very good; only the background is a bit too busy. I don't like how the variants deal with the text placement, but the first one really is well done. Maybe a simple gradient fill for the "flat cup"?

[selmiak]

I like it big and bold, so I followed this, but I like to take pointers, so here is the flat cup with a more visible gradient (the others have subtle gradients too) and a round handle as I like this handle more...



not sure about the drop shadow, so here without it:


the drop shadow seems to make to gradient stand out more, at least it seems like this to me on my monitor settings

[Crimson Wizard]

I actually liked the last "grande cup with round handle" with clear (non-pixelated) tiles on background. I think it gives a feeling of movement (being dynamic).
Perhaps you could even make a variant with more varied coloring (rainbow range) to make it even more cheerful.

[selmiak]

just playing around... imagine a refreshing 'hmmmmmmmmmm...aaaaaahhh' sound at the end of the loading

[Stupot]

Haha, nice once Selmiak.
I also prefer you flat cup, but I do like the pixels in the second one with a background.

Here's another attempt.

Mine come out looking more like cheap business cards, but who cares.

[selmiak]

I actually liked the last "grande cup with round handle" with clear (non-pixelated) tiles on background. I think it gives a feeling of movement (being dynamic).
Perhaps you could even make a variant with more varied coloring (rainbow range) to make it even more cheerful.

I think you mean this one...

looks interesting but a bit too colorful for my tastes...


I also figured the basic form of the pixels should have been different before distoring them to have them in perspective but still in a square form after distorting... needs some more fixing... or you write a short code snipped to animate these 3d pixels growing behind the splashscreen while loading
with more squareform of perspective distorted pixels

[Crimson Wizard]

No, I meant the last one, with clear tiles. Also, maybe lesser color diversion to make it look smoother (less saturation?).

Or, nevermind.

[selmiak]

last version for today:


CW special edition:

Spoiler

[close]

[abstauber]

Hehe, that cup evolves a lot The latest version looks great!

Thanks to Monsieur Ouxx' module thread, I stumbled across this nice splash from Subspark and Ryan.

[Monsieur OUXX]

Thanks to Monsieur Ouxx' module thread, I stumbled across this nice splash from Subspark and Ryan.

I was just about to post it! Did you infer it was by subspark just by reading "sub" in the cropped picture ?
The thread is here, and you have many images :
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=42573.0

[abstauber]

I was just about to post it! Did you infer it was by subspark just by reading "sub" in the cropped picture ?

yep - participating in the game guessing thread finally paid off

[Arcangel]

Using old GIMP Tutorial
Created on Feb 06, 2009

[selmiak]

Thanks to Monsieur Ouxx' module thread, I stumbled across this nice splash from Subspark and Ryan.

flashy and nice, especially the cup. I guess the cup is free to use as a ressource? I should also try a darker design...

I really like the color scheme on your neon night sky abstauber, though the cup form could be improved. the metro cups look better to me. Why not add some galaxies from freely available nasa photos into the background?
the first metro is a very clean design, but also gets boring real quick. Meh, the whole metro stuff doesn't do it for me...
for metro reloaded the two distortions in different directions are too much imho. either keep the cup or the border undistorted and with parallel lines. Without seeing it, my gut feeling tells me the cup in normal on a distorted border looks better than distorted cup on normal bg border... Or have cup and border on one layer and distort both simultaneously in the same direction. The rays could be even brighter imho or maybe have some bigger rays with more opacity and bigger gaps between them over the rays already there.

[abstauber]

Thanks for the feedback  - this competition feels almost like a workshop. Maybe I'll improve those splashes later on... or I might give this whole app-look a go.


Anyway, I made a little special edition myself

Spoiler

[close]

please don't ban me 

[Ryan Timothy B]

Honestly, I had forgotten all about this. I'm actually really digging this the most now (perhaps I'm slightly biased ).

[selmiak]

Anyway, I made a little special edition myself

Spoiler

[close]

this is a instant winrar !!11!!1
to give some constructive criticism, I suggest using comic sans and some more lens flare... and call it Awesome Game Studio and add some catimages

[Phemar]

+1 Vote for Ryan and Subspark's version.

[Monsieur OUXX]

Selmiak, did you consider combining your 2 concepts? (pixels behind the cup and inside the cup).
Also, maybe you could replace the pixels behind by some sort of horizontal rainbow Roger? (you take Roger's sprite, turn it 90 degrees, and apply effects, so that only connoisseurs notice it's actually Roger)

[Monsieur OUXX]

I'm taking th eliberty of un-hiding this, as it can be overlooked by someone just browsing

some more

Flat cup



grande cup
]


grande cup with round handle

[Ghost]

Anyway, I made a little special edition myself

Spoiler

[close]

April 1st startup, maybe? Oceanspirit Dennis' birthday? Do we have an international troll day in some country? Anything to make this stick?

[abstauber]

you need a reason for trolling nowadays? Besides this is no trolling, it just reflects my frustration that I obviously have time to do splash screens instead of working on my game or even keeping promises of helping other folks out.

@Selmiak: Those changes are way to epic for me brains! But I'll gladly upload the psd tomorrow

[selmiak]

so I made my dark night version with (public domain) galaxies and stars and also included this nice cup (in a cupshaped form (cupception)). Looks very spacey
also with these huge pixels.



and as my mind was wandering here it is with a starry night...

[Ghost]

you need a reason for trolling nowadays? Besides this is no trolling

No offence meant! I just recognized the "troll face" meme and thought there should BE a troll day so that we can magically link that image to the date of said International Troll Day. I wasn't accusing you of trolling! 
This post isn't trolling either.

I am also really warming up to that "grande cup with round handle" and the pixel background.

[Stupot]

I should be doing other things with my evenings.
But sod it. Here's another one.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edit - In response to Monsieur OUXX in the post below: No bubbles|Small bubbles
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love those galaxy ones actually. But I'm not too keen on the spokes coming out from behind the cup.

[Monsieur OUXX]

@stupot : I like your latest production but I think it can do without the bubbles -- that pattern is too big compared to the other nearby patterns. Smaller bubbles could be worth a try.
@selmiak : I like your latest productions but I think it can do without the pointy flares around the small cup. I'm not even sure the smaller cup is necessary at all -- its style conflicts wi the larger cup's style.

[abstauber]

I've found some more of Sparky's and Ryan's goodness:


Also I love the workshop attitude around. So please feel free to grab and use my source files so far (not that I'm a PS expert)
http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/splashes1.zip
http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/splashes2.zip

@Ghost: Oops, sorry. To clear up the confusion, that's the "forever-alone-and-happy"-face, not the troll face
@Selmiak: That last cup should miss it's left handle


edit:
I couldn't resist, thank you so much for your feedback, Selmiak

Spoiler

[close]

[Crimson Wizard]

AGS Black Label .

[Problem]

The black one looks fantastic.
There are some very nice ideas in this thread, this will be hard to decide.

[Miez]

Cool activity ... let me share my 2 cents:

[Stupot]

@Miez. The top half is very nice, but I'm not overly keen on the army of cups in the bottom half.

[Crimson Wizard]

The July Is Coming.

15 days left .

[Miez]

@Miez. The top half is very nice, but I'm not overly keen on the army of cups in the bottom half.

Good point ... I have an idea for the lower half, making it less "legion of cups" and a little more playful. I'll show it when I have some time to cobble it together.

[selmiak]

and another version
click for full size...

[xil]

Personally, I really like the Metro AGS design by abstauber and the one by Ryan Timothy. I'm not sure I agree that those styles come off as "too serious for an amateur game creator", in fact, I think AGS has produced some amazingly professional and serious games and it should forge forward to become more well known and more serious (adding things like integrated touch/mobile support, better support for steam etc).

With that being said, I can understand that people have different tastes! I decided to do a couple of ideas and include a slightly simpler idea, perhaps more in-keeping with the current logo, and a version with a more serious style.

I've used abstauber's Metro as a base, I hope that's okay, if not let me know and I shall take them down!





Here are the PSDs if anyone wants to have a play: idea1 - idea2

[Miez]

I really like your second design, calicoreverie. Not a huge fan of the font you used for "copyright 2013..." but the rest is pretty sweet!

[xil]

Yes I think you're right Miez (it's the same font - but I removed anti-aliasing on the copyright line), plus I noticed I left out the funny lines!

Here is 2.1 or idea3 - Smoothed all the fonts out, increased smaller fonts to 'Light' rather than 'Thin', removed 'Version' from the version number and added an example funny line



And the PSD: idea3

[Crimson Wizard]

The time's almost over (couple of hrs left till 1st July GMT).

There's alot of splashes posted in the thread.
I hereby ask everyone who participated post a list of links to their splashes (or links to posts in this thread) they want to officially put for voting, just in case if they want to select only particular ones.

I am giving couple of days more to arrange things, then start voting.

[abstauber]

Alright, please include these four to the voting list.
http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ags_splash1.png
http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ags_splash3.png
http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ags_splash4.png
http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ags_splash5.png

[Stupot]

I'll put these forward:
http://stupot.agser.me/misc/Splash3.png
http://stupot.agser.me/misc/Splash4-2.png

[xil]

I'd like to submit the following:

http://www.bwdhosting.com/ags/splash-idea3.png
http://www.bwdhosting.com/ags/splash-idea1.png

[selmiak]

uhm, a few more

flat cup
http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/cup1_round.png
http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/cup1_poppy.png
http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/cup1_round2.png
grande cup bleu
http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/cup3.png
http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/cup3_pixel.png
http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/cup3_3dpix_1.png
http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/grande_pix.png
http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/starsdarkcup.png
http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/starsdarkcup_pixel.png
http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/starsdarkcup2.png
http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/starsdarkcup_pixel2.png
something completely different
http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/lettering_t.jpg

[Arcangel]

http://imageshack.us/a/img13/7284/agssplash.png

[EchosofNezhyt]

That is the best for sure.  But it needs a different background and the cup perspective seems slightly skewed on the right. (Could just be me.)
Also the tea thing needs a bit of a perspective fix.

[abstauber]

The only problem is that apparently only Subspark has the source .psd file and hasn't been around for ages.

[Crimson Wizard]

Alright, that was enough time, I think.

Let's start voting.
Please choose your splash!
Considering the importance of the issue I suggest giving 2 weeks for this voting, ending 21st July around 00:00 GMT.
Please tell all your friends to vote.


THE ENTRIES
I deliberately decided to not name authors here (of course you may find who they are by checking the link or searching the thread), and tried to group splashes by their look. Sorry if you find my imagination wasn't good enough to call the group well.

The entries are numbered inside every group. When voting, please give name of group and number of splash.


CLEAN SPLASHES

Spoiler

#1
[imgzoom]http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ags_splash1.png[/imgzoom]
#2
[imgzoom]http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ags_splash3.png[/imgzoom]
#3
[imgzoom]http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ags_splash5.png[/imgzoom]
#4
[imgzoom]http://www.bwdhosting.com/ags/splash-idea1.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

GRADIENT SPLASHES

Spoiler

#1
[imgzoom]http://stupot.agser.me/misc/Splash3.png[/imgzoom]
#2
[imgzoom]http://stupot.agser.me/misc/Splash4-2.png[/imgzoom]
#3
[imgzoom]http://www.bwdhosting.com/ags/splash-idea3.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

CUP SHAPED SPLASHES

Spoiler

#1
[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/cup1_round.png[/imgzoom]
#2
[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/cup1_poppy.png[/imgzoom]
#3
[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/cup1_round2.png[/imgzoom]
#4
[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/cup3.png[/imgzoom]
#5
[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/cup3_pixel.png[/imgzoom]
#6
[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/cup3_3dpix_1.png[/imgzoom]
#7
[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/grande_pix.png[/imgzoom]
#8
[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/starsdarkcup.png[/imgzoom]
#9
[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/starsdarkcup_pixel.png[/imgzoom]
#10
[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/starsdarkcup2.png[/imgzoom]
#11
[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/starsdarkcup_pixel2.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

FUNKY SPLASHES

Spoiler

#1
[imgzoom]http://www.miez.nl/tmp/cup_logo_mz.png[/imgzoom]
#2
[imgzoom]http://selmiak.bplaced.net/stuff/lettering_t.jpg[/imgzoom]
#3
[imgzoom]http://imageshack.us/a/img13/7284/agssplash.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

DARK SPLASHES

Spoiler

#1
[imgzoom]http://www.shuugouteki.net/paul/Images/ags_3.2_splash.png[/imgzoom]
#2
[imgzoom]http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ags_freshmode_splash.png[/imgzoom]
#3
[imgzoom]http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ags_splash4.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

[DoorKnobHandle]

Clean #2

[Ryan Timothy B]

I couldn't vote on just one, so here's my two votes:

Gradient #3
  &&
Dark Splashes #1

[Tabata]

I couldn't vote on just one, so here's my two votes:

same here, sorry   


My votes go to

>>  the style of Clean Splashes #3
    (with the sentence of Dark Splashes # 3 „We point, you click!“)

and
>>  to Funky Splashes #1
    (if 2 votes are not possible, please take this one as runner up)

       

[Sslaxx]

Another vote for Clean Splash 2.

[Crimson Wizard]

    (with the sentence of Dark Splashes # 3 „We point, you click!“)

Tabata, those sentences are random, they are chosen from the list every time AGS editor starts

[Billbis]

I vote for Cup Shaped Splash #4, very nice and with strong identity.

[Monsieur OUXX]

CLEAN SPLASH #2

CUP-SHAPED SPLASH #1 and #6

DRAK SPLASH #1

[Ghost]

Clean #2.
Dark #2.

[Saurabh]

Cup shaded #3 or Dark#3.

[kconan]

Clean #2
Dark Splash #3

[EchosofNezhyt]

Dark splash 2

[Igor Hardy]

Clean #2
Dark #3

[TheDude]

Dark Splashes #1

[Phemar]

Dark #1
Gradient #3

[Problem]

Dark #1
Dark #2

[Adeel]

I basically like all the clean splashes because they have a "classic look" in them. Here are my top favorites (ranked as their position):

1. Clean Splash # 1 - Superb. An Absolute Classic Piece.
2. Clean Splash # 2 - Windows 8 feel looks great (but won't match with other version of Windows)

[cianty]

Dark #1
Clean #2

[elegantmechanic]

Clean #2 for me.

[m0ds]

clean #2
dark #3

ps. nice stuff!

[Paul Franzen]

Oh man, so many good ones! I think Gradient #3 is my fav.

[waheela]

• Cup-shaped splashes #1
• Clean splashes #2

I like the dark ones a lot too, but I'm not sure they would match the UI of the program.

[Fitz]

Clean #4 - it's simple but somehow very effective, I like the logo's font
Cup Shaped #10 - I like the idea with the cosmic backgrounds, and this one's the "cleanest" of the four. Also, the tagline's great.

[miguel]

Clean #2

[xil]

CLEAN #2
DARK #1

Too many good ones to choose from!!

[Ryan Timothy B]

With there being so many votes in every direction of the spectrum, perhaps after voting is finished having a final vote on the top 5? Of course it's up to you though, I don't mind the highest chosen to be the winner.

[Armageddon]

Clean #2 with the background stripes of clean #3.

[Crimson Wizard]

With there being so many votes in every direction of the spectrum, perhaps after voting is finished having a final vote on the top 5? Of course it's up to you though, I don't mind the highest chosen to be the winner.

I thought about this, may be it is what we should do.

[abstauber]

With there being so many votes in every direction of the spectrum, perhaps after voting is finished having a final vote on the top 5? Of course it's up to you though, I don't mind the highest chosen to be the winner.

I thought about this, may be it is what we should do.

I second this. Until then we also need to get the source .psd file for dark#1 and dark#2. Otherwise it's no better than before - nifty screen but just a flat jpeg in the end.

[Crimson Wizard]

I second this. Until then we also need to get the source .psd file for dark#1 and dark#2. Otherwise it's no better than before - nifty screen but just a flat jpeg in the end.

The irony...

Or, it will be even more ironic if when searching for that psds, we'll also find the psd for original splash .



Ops, I forgot to vote myself!

My votes go to
Clean #4
Dark #3

[Peder 🚀]

Clean #2
Gradient #3

I think I'd actually prefer a merge between the two even.. With the background and cup of Gradient #3 and the layout and rest of Clean #2:

Spoiler

[imgzoom]http://pederjohnsen.agser.me/splash-rough-mockup.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

[Kitai]

My vote goes to Gradient #3.
I agree with Peder Johnsen's comment: such a merge would be terrific!

Clean #2, although very elegant, is too reminiscent of Windows 8, and it's not a good point to me (just imagine current AGS splash screen were WinXP-logo-like shaped...)

[mystazsea]

I know I am a bit late...

but.. About 2 years ago I talked with Chris about a new logo and made these up for him..at the time he was thinking of remodeling the site to what it became now just prior to dropping out of development.. I ve been a little busy since then so I never got around to sending it to him..
We talked about the logos in email..but yeah life gets busy...
Posting them here just for laughs...

Hope you all enjoy them
its nostalgia for me now..lol

Original Concept



User version

[Gord10]

Dark #3
Dark #2

I also loved the Clean ones!

[Ryan Timothy B]

I second this. Until then we also need to get the source .psd file for dark#1 and dark#2. Otherwise it's no better than before - nifty screen but just a flat jpeg in the end.

I'm quite confident I could remake the PSD, if either of those 2 are winners, and still having it look identical.

[dactylopus]

Dark #2 gets my vote.

[xil]

Clean #2
Gradient #3

I think I'd actually prefer a merge between the two even.. With the background and cup of Gradient #3 and the layout and rest of Clean #2:

Spoiler

[imgzoom]http://pederjohnsen.agser.me/splash-rough-mockup.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

I second this (as long as the other author is happy with the merge!). If we go to a 'round 2' of voting, we should perhaps include this merged version I think.

Also, any ideas without a layered file that might win. I'm more than happy creating a layered file replica of the flat image if need be.

[AnasAbdin]

Dark #3
Dark #2

[Dropped Monocle Games]

Clean #1
Dark #2

[kaput]

Funky #1

[Snarky]

Clean #2
Gradient #6
Dark #1 (well, I like #2 better in general, except I hate the brown liquid in the cup)

[Lemonhead]

Gradient #3
Dark #3

[san.daniele]

Dark #2

but I have to say most clean ones look good as well.

[valoulef]

Cup Shaped Splash #4

[selmiak]

I like

clean #3 (though I#d prefer cup and form around it tilted in the same direction...)
cupshaped #7 (yeah, I like what I did)
dark #1 (dark #2 is also cool, but I really tried to narrow it down )

[subspark]

Hey folks!

Sure has been a while.
I've included the links to my splash screens and icon sources below:

Win/OS X Source:
http://www.shuugouteki.net/paul/Development/AGS/AGS_SplashIcon.zip

Wii Source:
http://www.shuugouteki.net/paul/Development/AGS/AGS_Wii-SplashIcon.zip

PSP XMB Source: You'll need WinRAR to extract this one.
http://www.shuugouteki.net/paul/Development/AGS/AGS_PSP_Source.rar

The latest incarnation of the splash refresh was 3.3 but the PSD includes everything nessecary to update version/build/disclaimer.

I also did one for JJS's Wii Port (Was that you JJS?)



Cheers guys n' gals,
Sparky.

[qptain Nemo]

The latest versions of AGS aren't of sole authorship of Chris Jones anymore, so the copyright statement at the bottom is incorrect. :V

I really like the way they look though. And that there's coffee inside.

edit: after briefly looking at Artistic License 2.0 again, it does seem like CJ would be the person intended to be named as the copyright holder for the whole project and all its instances. But still it doesn't say that supplied contributions are automatically transfered under the original author's copyright either. And personally I think that the people who invest their efforts into revitalizing AGS deserve a little "et al" / "and others" in the splash screen anyway.

[abstauber]

Version and Copyright Information are on seperate layers, so it can simply be changed to "(c)2013 Chris Jones and the AGS Community".
I suppose those texts will be created programmatically, so the final result will look a bit different than these.
Also does this mean that dark#1 is toast?

[Arcangel]

Clean #1
Dark #1

[subspark]

Abstauber is correct. All textual content is not intended to be static.
I put these together back before Chris had opened up any of his source.

Ideally, anyone updating the editor/engine would update the version/build and disclaimer if necessary.
If there's an autonomous way to push correct infotmation onto the splash as dynamic text, that would be pretty darn neat.

[Crimson Wizard]

If there's an autonomous way to push correct infotmation onto the splash as dynamic text, that would be pretty darn neat.

Of course there is, the splash screen is just a normal window that paints graphic on background and creates labels with any text on top. That's how the "funny texts" are printed there.
In the extreme case we could just save every image layer separately and compose them dynamically in the window... (dunno if it would be easy to achieve correct blending this way, but I think it is theoretically possible)

BTW, I missed the voting deadline . Time to calculate the votes and chose top 5 (as was suggested) for the final voting.

[Radiant]

My vote goes to Cupshape 9 and/or Dark 2.

[Crimson Wizard]

Clean #2
Gradient #6
Dark #1 (well, I like #2 better in general, except I hate the brown liquid in the cup)

There's no Gradient #6, Snarky. Did you, maybe, mean Cup-Shaped 6? Or other number of Gradient?

[subspark]

The brown liquid is absent in the lastest PSD.
That's the very one I linked everybody to. No yucky coffee. Clean empty cup.

Or is it perhaps only half empty? Or half full even?! 

[Crimson Wizard]

Voting Tier One completed!

Uh, next time I'd have to find a way to make a poll (hits his forehead with a hand).

Leadership board:

Splash	Votes
Clean #2	16
Dark #1	10
Dark #2	9
Dark #3	8
Gradient #3	6
Clean #1	3
Clean #3	2
Clean #4	2
Cup Shaped #1	2
Cup Shaped #4	2
Funky #1	2
Cup Shaped #3	1
Cup Shaped #6	1
Cup Shaped #7	1
Cup Shaped #9	1
Cup Shaped #10	1

We have clear 5 top-voted splashes here, which is lucky.

Clean #2

Spoiler

[imgzoom]http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ags_splash3.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

Dark #1

Spoiler

[imgzoom]http://www.shuugouteki.net/paul/Images/ags_3.2_splash.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

Dark #2

Spoiler

[imgzoom]http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ags_freshmode_splash.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

Dark #3

Spoiler

[imgzoom]http://shatten.sonores.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/ags_splash4.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

Gradient #3

Spoiler

[imgzoom]http://www.bwdhosting.com/ags/splash-idea3.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

Also, here's the suggestion supported by few people:

"I think I'd actually prefer a merge between the two even..
With the background and cup of Gradient #3 and the layout and rest of Clean #2:"

Spoiler

[imgzoom]http://pederjohnsen.agser.me/splash-rough-mockup.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

Since both of those splashes are between leaders, I guess we may take this as another contestant for Tier 2?


Before we start Tier 2, is it possible to make an automatized poll in this thread?

[DoorKnobHandle]

Clean #2 so clearly won the vote, I REALLY don't see the point in complicated this process but oh well.

Once "Tier 2" starts, it'll be Clean #2 for me again.

[Crimson Wizard]

Clean #2 so clearly won the vote, I REALLY don't see the point in complicated this process but oh well.

Well, yes, it has a big advantage, so it does makes sense.

What about the combination idea? Anyone else supports it?

[Radiant]

Clean #2 so clearly won the vote, I REALLY don't see the point in complicated this process but oh well.

I do. There are multiple images that are really similar, so if only one of those had existed it would likely have gotten more votes. Based on that, a runoff vote makes a lot of sense.

Actually, rather than having a binary runoff vote, it would make sense for people to rank those five picks and give a weighted vote. That way you'll end up with the result most acceptable to all people, rather than the one image that (hypothetically) 51% of people love and 49% of them hate. We did the same in the last OROW and it worked great!

[abstauber]

Clean #2 also has the huge advantage, that you can create it completely from script (except for the cup). So we can have different backgrounds for special occasions (like "Valentines day" or "Talk like a pirate day").

So I'm all for clean #2 (although I haven't voted myself), because it has so much potential for easter eggs.


If a runoff vote is really wanted, I'd support Radiant's solution.

[Problem]

Interesting. Clean #2 was one of my least favourites, I found it somewhat bland with the small cup and so much plain-coloured space around it. But basically all of the suggested splash screens look good enough to me.

[abstauber]

Clean #2 was one of my least favourites,... so much plain-coloured space around it.

Judging from your avatar I thought you'd love it 

just kidding

[Problem]

Clean #2 doesn't have a handsome pixel guy on it 

Oh, and apart from that Clean #2 has one major fault: the cup is white!

[subspark]

I'm quite fond of Clean #2. It's got that early afternoon slacking off in the office on personal projects appeal. I don't remember what that actually felt like of course. 

Clean #2 has my vote however I have one consideration to share. It would be complete with a more appealing edge.

Perhaps a 1 pixel stroke of white from the inside, or a drop shadow of some tasteful moderation.
One 'OR' the other as opposed to both suggestions together should do the trick.

[Ryan Timothy B]

You know what, I'm voting for the new one of the clean style with the background of the gradient. It just looks so fitting. This one

The gradient need to be more uniform though. The multi resolution gradient really drives me nuts.

[miguel]

I second Ryan Timothy on this one. It does look good.

[Crimson Wizard]

Uhhhh. I am sorry, I could not find free time lately.

Actually, rather than having a binary runoff vote, it would make sense for people to rank those five picks and give a weighted vote. That way you'll end up with the result most acceptable to all people, rather than the one image that (hypothetically) 51% of people love and 49% of them hate. We did the same in the last OROW and it worked great!

So, is this OK to have such voting?
Did you have automated poll? Should I ask AGA about making this?

[abstauber]

just do it

[dactylopus]

Interesting. Clean #2 was one of my least favourites, I found it somewhat bland with the small cup and so much plain-coloured space around it. But basically all of the suggested splash screens look good enough to me.

I agree.  It looks too 'Windows 8' for me, personally.

I'd actually prefer Dark #2 with the empty cup from Dark #1.

[abstauber]

A few month later... can't we just have the combined version? I think most people are happy with it.

[Crimson Wizard]

A few month later... can't we just have the combined version? I think most people are happy with it.

Omg lol. It's such a shame, this completely dropped from my mind
This splash was supposed for 3.4.0, but I got carried away with working on 3.3.0 and custom resolutions.
Yes, please, post combined version if you want, we'll see people reaction to that.

[Snarky]

Isn't that just this post?

I'm not so keen on the text-cup; I think I'd prefer pretty much any of the alternative bluecup designs.

[Crimson Wizard]

Yes, sorry, the Clean #2 entry definitely won most votes back then.
Personally I'd rather close this thread, declaring it as a "winner". Everyone have his own opinion anyway.

[Radiant]

A few month later... can't we just have the combined version? I think most people are happy with it.06 Feb 2014, 22:34

Well, since the combined version is a mix of Clean2 and Gradient3, it would appear that there are 22 votes for that style...

...but since Dark1, Dark2 and Dark3 are pretty similar as well, it would appear that there are 27 votes for that style.

And some people appear to have been casting new votes or changing their opinion since the tally. Wow, this gets confusing

[abstauber]

It seems like we could never agree on any splash
Why not doing it like TheGimp (as in Paint, not as in Pulp Fiction): each major release gets a new splash.
Clean#2 would be the winner for 3.4 and everyone disliking it can wait until the next contest for 3.5.

[Crimson Wizard]

It seems like we could never agree on any splash
Why not doing it like TheGimp (as in Paint, not as in Pulp Fiction): each major release gets a new splash.
Clean#2 would be the winner for 3.4 and everyone disliking it can wait until the next contest for 3.5.

We may consider to support several splashes with the support to editor skins (if that ever happens), like the obsidian skin from Draconian Edition may come with one of the "dark splashes".

Anyway, I ditched my responsibility for this thread for too long, so I ought to finally conclude this competition.

The winner is this splash by abstauber:


It will be used starting from the next major release (whether alpha, beta or else) of AGS (presumably 3.4.0).
Thanks to all who participated and voted.

[Ghost]

The winner is this splash by abstauber:

Good choice IMO, looking forward to seeing it "in action"- and thanks, Abstauber, nice design!