Another bg, C&C

gameboy · Fri 03/02/2006 16:51:08

So it's a bg of an abandoned city area with a car-wreck.

The problem is, that it looks way too empty. I'm not sure what to do with so many plain, empty areas. And overall I don't like it (can't say why, it just feels so)
So it needs serious changes.
What to do?

So I'd aprecciate to get some help and advice.

Thanks,
-gameboy

Seleceus · Fri 03/02/2006 17:23:32

For space fillers, that won't take over, you can use signs, lightposts, guardrails, fire hydrants, trashcans, public phones, or if it's truly abandoned trash. Lots of trash. Maybe rail tracks, if those are tanker cars.

I they are, they could probably be longer.
The only other critique I would have, at the moment, is on the building. Your windows are not consistantly sized, or in perspective (oh no, it's THAT word again).

Corey · Fri 03/02/2006 17:25:09

what about a street light??

Nikolas · Fri 03/02/2006 18:58:09

Well... you have the horizon a bit low (not a bad thing), but this makes you have half the BG a sky. And in this case it is rather empty. Don't get me wrong, I love the colours of the sky, but a few ideas that will help you fill the area up:

*put some antennas in the buildings.
*vary the buildings a lot. Make a really tall one stand out.
*put some clouds on the sky.
*another building in the front (like the one on the left).

now about the generall area, I could propose that the street has absolutely NO signs of life. No litter, no signs, no trafic lights, no nothing. Start filling it up make some glass "stains" for the car reck and depending on if this area is totally abandoned or abandonded but with a gang or two in there act accordingly.

Hope this helps

ildu · Fri 03/02/2006 19:07:35

Albeit it looks good, I don't like the composition at all. I really can't tell where the entry/exit points are, nor where the most important parts of the bg lie. Also, it's not very clear where the player is able to go in this background and what specific purpose it serves in the game. The car looks pretty big compared to the wall and the carriages behind it. The empty field to the horizon suggest the player can walk into it. In addition, as you said, it's pretty empty and could do with some detailing.

So I would definately move the carwreck to the immediate left and thus closer to the screen. The size difference will be solved and it'll frame the background nicely. I would also add a right wall to correspond with the current wall. If you don't intend to let the player enter the behind the wall, either leave an opening, but clutter it with stuff or close the opening with a gate or something. As for details I suggest adding street lights, mailboxes, curbs, plants, fire hydrants, concrete posts, etc.

Nice work so far.

DonB · Fri 03/02/2006 19:13:26

Tbh mate.. I don't see anything wrong, Ildu and Nikolas, said some good things tho, as always.
I really like the atmosphere! Very nice place to make the big plot/conspiracy come out imo.. (in the left building of course).. i really dig it!

About the streetlight.. Im not sure if it would fit in this lost area. + i dont think there should be more trash cause it would ruin your clean style.

gameboy · Fri 03/02/2006 20:25:05

Thanks for all the crits and advice.

What you said is true. Adding details and stuff would make it better.

I'm working on it.

gameboy · Mon 06/02/2006 16:24:51

A double-post...

...and many changes on the bg.

Changed:
*added some trash (which I think sucks)
*changed the windows
*took off the ugly blur on the city skyline
*added a streetlight (which I think sucks, too
*...and much more stuff

Oh.. and I tried to move the car-wreck, but it didn't look good, cause it wasn't that much in perspective anymore (I then would have have to redraw the whole car.

So, overall... I think it IS better that before, but some stuff was better before... Anyways what do you think?