Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Competitions & Activities => Topic started by: Misj' on Mon 10/02/2025 21:16:28

Title: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Winner)
Post by: Misj' on Mon 10/02/2025 21:16:28
The Private Investigator

I feel it's been a while since we worked on something traditional.

Private investigators come in all forms and sizes. So I have only one real rule: whomever you draw has to fit that bill (and hopefully pay the bills doing their job). Basically that's all there is to it. Oh, and they shouldn't be affiliated with any official or unofficial law enforcement organization.

(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/7EUgyjJl1GTg4QTQnNU8VBu1UkO.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/8n4O7Reyk5es5iyzQk7zfNvuMJ9.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/3WBkepiTwgemGDZadyJTV5SmS4l.jpg)(https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/my-life-is-murder-2019-1.jpg)(https://i5.walmartimages.com/seo/The-Rockford-Files-The-Complete-Series-DVD-Mill-Creek-Drama_c7301220-bb5d-4eab-949e-0a143b561fac_1.053a71bbaf7f60ca45cfda4b8cc9a191.jpeg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/zeiDOyFpJgqC25oQ0gMJWHszfd0.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/t4OUByUUuxIb4uWovFWrWcWmbSs.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/valMFoVuCteM3sr6hgXmEFtdemW.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/vteh4Qac2Wq3CmUPzeUjvCnDPCc.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/6f4IVfbn8knb7RjdZlGLuW5guDc.jpg)(http://[img%20height=200]https://media.s-bol.com/31R2gy8rm7vx/550x777.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/hE0Un65f1k11GUQTCqk7s0hzokY.jpg)(https://media.s-bol.com/mlBwN7Q0DYA/883x1200.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/wObXNGpREf4xIQh7bTaFw7Bqun6.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/uJD9UMko7SPZWwzxm1M0vQw1yYH.jpg)(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Q5H1++1DL._AC_SL1000_.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/AeHJVpoWWKtCyFIZ6LbLkAR52vz.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/t6ylQ4SL2uAmwr2ooPy0CpzSJ1e.jpg)(https://assets.mydeal.com.au/48204/simon-simon-season-1-new-dvd-11328125_00.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/8VkW3h6AD5DPgV1kUzmZNFqdK5l.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/4FImpkzYmQqvZJSpWSY3NiHMx8R.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/53jw2IXQ3MqVBiz7Gn5WaqUl7cD.jpg)(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYTRjYjA4MDUtMjAzMy00NDYwLWExMDAtZjBmMTc4YmMxMTJjXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTk5MjAyMjM@._V1_.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/dZN80nJjFoNjzt1Z7i04tQrWBa1.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/sEqRn4uIFoxuDKMOL9Ufxq2OHd0.jpg)(https://www.nouveautes-tele.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/taketwo.jpg)(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/44/a7/09/44a709947034690219289fe218a1706f--television-tv-movie-cars.jpg)(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTQyN2ZhNjAtNDE3NC00YjBmLTlhZjYtNTZjNmU2Y2I5MmM0XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTAyNjg4NjE0._V1_.jpg)(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71LH4GfAaAL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)(https://cdn.hmv.com/r/w-640/hmv/files/7b/7b6d332c-b4db-4bc3-add1-422d6c869983.jpg)(https://jimmyakin.com/wp-content/uploads/misc/monk_season3.jpg)(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71-5DMxhVUL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)(https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w600_and_h900_bestv2/6HZEkhJTZrXQaAiMVq8krPiEgsq.jpg)


The rules of this Jam are simple:
1. Draw a private investigator.
2. No size-limits.
3. No color-limits.
4. Multiple entries are allowed.
5. Try to have fun.

Voting will start on March 17th Dutch Time...and the competition is open until voting has started (so if I'm late, you can still participate).

Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 9th)
Post by: Hannah_Banana on Tue 11/02/2025 11:14:22
Nice topic - will have to think of a fun character! My brain immediately went to the pink panther for some reason
😂
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 9th)
Post by: Misj' on Wed 12/02/2025 19:14:02
Quote from: Hannah_Banana on Tue 11/02/2025 11:14:22My brain immediately went to the pink panther for some reason 😂
Well, I've been listening a lot to Henry Mancini's music these last few weeks. Including - but not limited to - the Anita Kerr Singer's rendition of the Pink Panther (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8KtNvJ3jBs&list=PL1BucuRjDiD02-ByWQj6TSKeKIfgnhhm3&index=8). Furthermore, he wrote the theme music for Remington Steele...which just so happens to be the first show presented in the list above.

So...coincidence or subliminal messaging? - You decide.  :grin:
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 9th)
Post by: Hannah_Banana on Thu 13/02/2025 11:02:33
Haha I did not know that. Now I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with....
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 9th)
Post by: WeeklyJournaling on Mon 17/02/2025 01:10:24
Made a drawing for this thread. I'll make an actual sprite later, I just felt inspired so I drew this.

(https://postimg.cc/jDfMdV2m)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Z572H4Sb/1000006464.jpg)
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 9th)
Post by: Misj' on Fri 07/03/2025 20:21:42
My investigation skills show we're getting close to the deadline.

So gather your final clues and draw your sprite.
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 9th)
Post by: Creamy on Mon 10/03/2025 00:21:19
Meet private investigators Oonagh and Roscoe as they retrieve James Cook's pistol in the sewers of Barcelona (it's a long story...)

(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/14da1053-a658-4328-845a-b2b310d21541/djc0b6r-7e5a2aee-858e-4991-8a43-bfb8f26cae7c.png/v1/fill/w_1920,h_2134/oonagh_and_roscoe_by_jaipurna_djc0b6r-fullview.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MjEzNCIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzE0ZGExMDUzLWE2NTgtNDMyOC04NDVhLWIyYjMxMGQyMTU0MVwvZGpjMGI2ci03ZTVhMmFlZS04NThlLTQ5OTEtOGE0My1iZmI4ZjI2Y2FlN2MucG5nIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTE5MjAifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.DiY_1FWF-uvSDDheUIfY1nlzsf4nm6ELowaO4yuflQE)
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 9th)
Post by: Misj' on Tue 11/03/2025 20:58:31
I'm extending the deadline a few days...to give WeeklyJournaling (and hopefully others) time to finish their piece.
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 16th (Extended))
Post by: Eric on Fri 14/03/2025 00:12:30
Hello, old friends! This is me reviving an old character I'd hoped to make a game with some day.

Full disclosure: I'd already drawn the Mercury Comet before this competition began.

(https://www.ericnewsom.com/ags/piedmontblues.png) (https://www.ericnewsom.com/ags/piedmontblues.png)
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 16th (Extended))
Post by: cat on Fri 14/03/2025 07:47:23
Eric, great to see to back here! And with a cool entry to the competition.
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 16th (Extended))
Post by: Eric on Sat 15/03/2025 02:47:17
Quote from: cat on Fri 14/03/2025 07:47:23Eric, great to see to back here! And with a cool entry to the competition.

I still lurk every so often, and continue to work on a game at a glacial pace! I'm also still eagerly following the careers and games of my fellow AGSers...some great releases in the past few years (I recently played and enjoyed Adventures of the Black Hawk!), and am looking forward to Old Skies and Rosewater just around the corner!
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 16th (Extended))
Post by: Creamy on Tue 18/03/2025 12:24:03
Very clean design, Eric. May I ask what software you use to draw your vector art?
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 16th (Extended))
Post by: Eric on Tue 18/03/2025 12:47:10
Adobe Illustrator! It took me forever to come around to using Illustrator because drawing bezier curves drove me nuts, but now it's my favorite. You can see my see old art thread on the forum and my long-term struggles to digitally paint.

Shortly after I stopped hanging out here as often (e.g. shortly after I had a second kid, ha), something clicked for me and now it's my art program of choice. Drawing with vectors is much more like sculpting than drawing, and I think there's something that really aligns with the way my brain works that opened up my abilities. I'm still not great at it, but I enjoy making art much better than I used to.
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 16th (Extended))
Post by: Misj' on Wed 19/03/2025 19:56:11
I've never liked using illustrator for my drawings even though I like using vector. Personally I prefer Corel Draw or Affinity Designer (the latter of which is currently my go-to for vector). I don't often show my vector-work here though; But it's a really nice approach to get from sketch to a clean drawing...though it loses some of it's 'life' I do have when drawing with pencil or (Corel) Painter. There are, however, many advantages, and I do tend to like the look you can achieve with it.
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 16th (Voting))
Post by: Misj' on Wed 19/03/2025 20:04:09
Time to vote.

I count three entries:

WeeklyJournal
(https://i.postimg.cc/Z572H4Sb/1000006464.jpg)

Creamy
(https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/14da1053-a658-4328-845a-b2b310d21541/djc0b6r-7e5a2aee-858e-4991-8a43-bfb8f26cae7c.png/v1/fill/w_1920,h_2134/oonagh_and_roscoe_by_jaipurna_djc0b6r-fullview.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MjEzNCIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzE0ZGExMDUzLWE2NTgtNDMyOC04NDVhLWIyYjMxMGQyMTU0MVwvZGpjMGI2ci03ZTVhMmFlZS04NThlLTQ5OTEtOGE0My1iZmI4ZjI2Y2FlN2MucG5nIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTE5MjAifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.DiY_1FWF-uvSDDheUIfY1nlzsf4nm6ELowaO4yuflQE)

Eric
(https://www.ericnewsom.com/ags/piedmontblues.png)

Voting categories are:
1. Character - Does the character have...well...character?
2. Quality - How well does it execute the chosen style?
3. Usability - Does it work well within a game (doesn't have to be a 3rd person point-and-click game though)?

Voting ends the 24th (though keep in mind my track-record for keeping these deadlines ;) )
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 16th (Voting))
Post by: Eric on Thu 20/03/2025 00:43:09
I'm going to lend my vote to Creamy for all three. I wish I'd been able to see a second submission from WeeklyJournal, because I love the traditional noir trenchcoat style, and I like the bit of Columbo-ness to the head lean and open hand cigar gesturing here that does a lot for character in just a few artistic choices.

Creamy's work looks like the start of a great dual-character game, and I already want to know more about these people, this gun, this lamp, this cane, and most importantly, how much time they spend lacing those boots! I really appreciate the voluminousness and color of the skirt, and would see these two slotting into either a traditional Victorian detective game, or a retro-futuristic steampunk game. Also, that fellow has dope sideburns.
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 16th (Voting))
Post by: Creamy on Thu 20/03/2025 19:33:44
1. Character - both characters look suitable for the job. I'll go with WeeklyJournal's detective because his demeanor is spot-on.

2. Quality - I vote for Eric. WeeklyJournal's character doesn't lack style. It's just less polished.

3. Usability - Eric as well. I hope I get to play your game someday.
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 16th (Voting))
Post by: Eric on Fri 21/03/2025 00:29:39
Quote from: Misj' on Wed 19/03/2025 19:56:11I've never liked using illustrator for my drawings even though I like using vector.

(I don't want to derail the voting, but wanted to say I'd likely be using Affinity Designer too if using Illustrator wasn't a part of / subscription provided by my job!)
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 16th (Voting))
Post by: Misj' on Tue 25/03/2025 20:51:39
any non-participants want to cast their vote? - Remember: voting, it's like your second-favorite thing to do on the internet
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Deadline Mrt. 16th (Voting))
Post by: Misj' on Sun 30/03/2025 19:56:24
Well...considering no one else want to have their vote counted (and as a host I personally only vote on a tie), I'm calling it:

WeeklyJournal: 1 vote
Eric: 2 votes
Creamy: 3 votes

So Creamy, the floor is yours.
Title: Re: Sprite Jam: The Private Investigator (Winner)
Post by: Eric on Mon 31/03/2025 00:12:00
Congratulations, Creamy! Excellent work. I look forward to seeing what the next competition holds in store!