So I've decided that I want to start working on a game. The trouble is, I've got no idea how to draw, and I've only got extremely basic Photoshop skills. However, I decided to import in actual images, and I messed around with the filters a bit. Personally, I actually really like the look. I think it's really like a dark comic style. What does everyone think? (These aren't necessarily any backgrounds that will appear in the game. This was just an attempt to see how it would work out).
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/Maccafan107/Test2.png)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee396/Maccafan107/Test3.png)
Well first of all everyone even a bit acquainted with photoshop would know they're filtered photos. If that doesn't bother you, then go for it. I mean, why spend time learning how to draw imaginary landscapes when you can have real ones.
These backgrounds look like they'd work for a cut-scene, but if you want to use them for playing, you'd probably like to get images of places where there's something to do. Basically what I personally hate are KQ-type screens where the only hotspot is a flower. when finding your style, consider how to make the characters and the objects visible in a style similar to the background so that they wouldn't stand out too much, but enough to be recognisable. For instance the 2nd photo has no walkable area or a detail to be touched, it's merely a scene through a window, a nice one at that. The 1st might work as a pass through scenario with perhaps a person sitting on the bench, but not a lot could happen here imo.
I'm well aware that these aren't good background screens for interacting. Remember, that wasn't the point of this post. The point was just to see if the art style could work well for a game.
Quote from: grim107 on Fri 16/12/2011 00:07:09
I'm well aware that these aren't good background screens for interacting. Remember, that wasn't the point of this post. The point was just to see if the art style could work well for a game.
...and that's what Tuomas tried to explain to you.
Personally I hate that kind of filter type of work, to me it doesn't look neither realistic nor stylish nor artistic. And as Tuomas mentioned, it's really hard to implement it into a world or rather to put anything in it and make it look like it belongs there.
I'd rather play a game with photographs that have been slightly touched up and made so they all kind of seem to belong together (maybe a hue or something that connects all the backgrounds). But this just seems lazy (might take you time and effort to make it, but it "looks" lazy). On the other hand, if you don't want or can't find an artistic person to work with you then you make the game you are able to and if the story and the atmosphere is right, people won't mind it that much.
Quote from: grim107 on Fri 16/12/2011 00:07:09
I'm well aware that these aren't good background screens for interacting. Remember, that wasn't the point of this post. The point was just to see if the art style could work well for a game.
I'm sorry if my answer got lost in between the rhetoric :) I tried to answer your question best I could, but I also thought I'd give you something to think about when choosing the actual images for the backgrounds. I gave my opinion on the filtered photos, and it hasn't changed, and then I tried to give examples as to how these images could still be used. Seeing as how you didn't have any ready-made backgrounds, I couldn't comment on them and thought I'd point out what should/could be done if you went a long with a filter like this. Obviously it's going to be hard, and I think Anian proved my 1st point :D
If I'd have to figure out something new to say, I'd probably recommend, that you found something relatively background-like in the way that you yourself see your game and then fool around with it. Then you'll see if the style really is the one you want.
Avoid. Those images look like advertisements for photoshop. Using filter of any kind should be subtle and creative, not yelling into your face. You want style, play with color and levels, not filters. You would get better help if you'd post originals into this thread, instead of overfiltered ideas.
I think it looks pretty cool actually. But I'd hate to do walkbehinds for trees like those in the first pic hehe :D
I have never messed around with Photoshop, so maybe this is why the pics don't bother me. I think they look pretty cool. Not everyone can draw, if this is what you need to do, I say go for it....why?....because it's yours, to me it's unique.
Could I suggest you posting the original photographs? It would be interesting to see how functional they are, and whether less obvious forms of photoshop processing might work better.
As I like to do the same way of drawing, frankly if at any point you look at what you have and see that it's resembling a photograph, then you have nothing less than common rip-off of photography.
I'd like to have the original photographs as well.