I'm placing my Robots of Dawn game on hold for now and focusing on a smaller game because I'm a big n00b and after years of working on and off (mostly off) on RoD, I hardly have anything to show for it. It's pretty sad... sorry for putting your hopes up, I will return to RoD once I'm more confident with my game-making skills and have a few people on my side to help out.
So, I'm back to the drawing board.
I would like to make something cutesy and simple with small easy puzzles but I'm not sure yet on the style I would like to go with for the background and characters - that's where I would like your feedback. Here are a bunch of my sketches I scanned, I love everything fantasy and sci-fi and I would like your opinion on what drawings appeal more to you and would actually like to see in a short game.
Thanks. :)
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/031.png)#1
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/030.png)#2
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/029.png)#3
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/028.png)#4
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/027.png)#5
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/026.png)#6
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/025.png)#7
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/024.png)#8
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/022.png)#9
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/021.png)#10
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/020.png)#11
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/019.png)#12
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/018.png)#13
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/017.png)#14
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/016.png)#15
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/015.png)#16
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/014.png)#17
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/013.png)#18
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/012.png)#19
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/011.png)#20
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/010.png)#21
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/009.png)#22
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/008.png)#23
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/007.png)#24
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/006.png)#25
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/003.png)#26
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/004.png)#27
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/005.png)#28
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/002.png)#29
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/001.png)#30
First of all, I tip my hat. Those are very great sketches!
The style in 3/7/11 would work very good in an adventure game I think: Looks very good, has nice clean outlines (so easy to import... or easier ;D ) and should go on well with most plots.
However, I was pretty taken by the centaur picture (2) and that tavern (?) shot (12). Those sketches are what really got me hooked. I can't say why, they just seem to have that "hole in the paper" that can carry me deep, deep into a story. 19 and 22, too, just trigger something. I suggest you take a dig at a fantasy setting, you seem to have a knack for it.
I'm already pressing thumbs: I'd love to see some of these sketches turned into a game!
Ghost out.
Lots of nice sketches.
I particulary like #8, #13,#17 and #19.
But, for me, I have to say that the three illustrations in "A Most Cat-astrophic Bath" are my favourites. They're clean, consise, and they contain a lot of character. Plus they succeed in conveying key moments in the story.
As for use in a game, I'd say #8 kind of tells us a short story in itself. Maybe a play on the Beauty and the Beast concept, or something. Or a Castlevania-esque vampire story.
I dunno. I just like the simplicity of the pose, and the girls expression.
Nice work, indeed. :)
#23 is my favorite. Though the one one the right of the first one would make a good style for a game character. There's lots to pick from, but if you're going for a cutsie quick game to make, pick whichever is easiest for you to draw.
#4 and #22 are pretty cool too. Nicely drawn, but not too over the top fantasy.
What I realize is that most of my drawings would make great epic games (like the centaur one) but wouldn't really work in a short game and would be hard to work around. I do need to make it simple and since I'm not very good with pixel drawings, I thought I would work in a higher quality room; something along the lines of 640x480.
I took your advice, about drawing whichever is easiest to draw and something along the lines of my illustrations in "A Most Cat-astropphic Bath." I also used elements of sketch #7, to make it cutesy and I've made a character yesterday, I still need to work out the outline and what she will be doing in my game but I thought of something a bit like "A Cure for the Common Cold" for the environment.
I'm pretty satisfied with what I came up with so far, I couldn't have done it without you guys! :-*
Here's my main character :
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/character01.png)(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/character02.png)
I have a small question, what can you imagine her doing in a small game? I'm still in brainstorm mode.
Wow, they are lovely. Very good quality sketches indeed.
I like the girl on the right in #1 the most.
Do you think I should remake my character with her hair down and wearing something else?
I've been thinking about a teenager's room where the main character needs to follow certain guidelines in order to get what she wants, like clean her room, find her cellphone, wear something appropriate etc... I'm not too sure where I'm going here, lol. I want something simple but fun for the people who are playing the game.
Should I completely turn my idea around and do something completely different like an ugly little fairy who needs to pick the right flowers for her goblin grand-mother who's sickly...
Err, I don't know! :-\
Haha, I need to relax and ponder about this some more.
Well, I cant tell you what to do, but I can tell you how I am making my first game. I selected the setting. Then the main character. No story so far, just a foggy idea. I am making BGs now and I let my ideas coming. I have not any plans, I dont think if it isnt necesarry ;D Just putting my ideas into a game.
Sketch #7 was my favourite. It was just so awww :-*
And I'm a sucker for fairy tales and that sort of stuff, so I'm eagerly waiting for this to finish :)
I must say I like the idea of fairy picking up flowers for her gobling grand-mother more than a teen cleaning up her room and finding her cellphone.
As for the general development: brainstorm, brainstorm. Evaluate your ideas, pick the best ones. Brainstorm over picked ideas. Repeat. When you are certain that you have the very best idea in your hands and you really really want to do it then start expanding it from a one paragraph description to a game. And then start creating concepts for your characters and so on. Don't rush with the getting the ideas phase, it's perhaps the most important one.
Quote from: zabnat on Sat 29/09/2007 18:02:13
I must say I like the idea of fairy picking up flowers for her gobling grand-mother more than a teen cleaning up her room and finding her cellphone.
That is so true, lol. Don't worry, I'll find a way to keep it different and interesting as well as keeping to the fantasy genre.
Quote from: Oliwerko on Sat 29/09/2007 17:24:05
Well, I cant tell you what to do, but I can tell you how I am making my first game. I selected the setting. Then the main character.
So far I personally find that drawing the character first, inspires me to then make a story and environment that suits him/her.
I'll keep you guys updated on how things are going. Thanks!
Quote from: Nightfable on Sat 29/09/2007 18:17:42
That is so true, lol. Don't worry, I'll find a way to keep it different and interesting as well as keeping to the fantasy genre.
Well, every game is made of unique ideas. So almost every game is interesting in some way, just like you cant find two identical people, you cant find two identical games. Every one is somehow different.
Quote from: Nightfable on Sat 29/09/2007 16:16:53
What I realize is that most of my drawings would make great epic games (like the centaur one) but wouldn't really work in a short game and would be hard to work around.
I can't agree with this. I don't see how a drawing style would negate certain game lengths.
As for your drawings, they are nice if maybe a little over designed for my tastes. The newest drawing is quite nice and I think a one room game with a girl "trapped" in her room is a perfect chance to get used to AGS and game creation.
Just to give a small spark, I can image your newest character in some old-fashioned toy shop, maybe looking for a special present. It's a small setting, could be done in one or two rooms, and adds this, er, nostalgic style. It should also be possible to include a decent amount of small, simple puzzles.
Quote from: MrColossal on Sat 29/09/2007 19:37:01
I can't agree with this. I don't see how a drawing style would negate certain game lengths.
As for your drawings, they are nice if maybe a little over designed for my tastes. The newest drawing is quite nice and I think a one room game with a girl "trapped" in her room is a perfect chance to get used to AGS and game creation.
What I mean to say is that making a game with an over designed drawing (as you worded it) needs an over designed story to go with - more characters to interact with, details, rooms, subplots, animation, puzzles, objects... all leading to an epic game. I would feel
obligated to create a world worthy for that character... it's hard to explain. I just can't see myself placing that fierce centaur (with sword and shield in hand) in a two-room forest area just chatting it up with fairies and solving really easy boring puzzles.
I definitely agree with you about making something simple like a girl "trapped" in her room and getting used to AGS. I've already started creating the outline and it's already getting out of hand.
And Ghost, you're absolutely right - an old-fashioned toy shop would make a wonderful nostalgic setting for my character - I'll keep that in mind, thanks. It reminds me of that 3D short but fun game,
Jack in the Dark. :)
Quote from: Nightfable on Sat 29/09/2007 20:20:32
It reminds me of that 3D short but fun game, Jack in the Dark. :)
Ah, you got me ;)
I think the majority of your drawings show that you have talent. I also think you should pick out one or two for recieving c&c on, as that would make it easier and more fruitful for all of us.
Overall you have a nice sense for design and faces, but your anatomy is occassionally awkward (except for in those cases where you have traced directly from other pictures).
Nice job. :o
Whoa..Nice nipples! ;D
Amazing set of sketches, I see. Pretty amazing ones too.
Some are great, some not that great. Bodies seem to turn out way better than faces... but you have talent, no doubt.
What I'd suggest is to follow less anime/manga/whatever style and go for more realistic style.
That's because you can do it WAY better.
I totally love pictures #8, #13 and the best one -- #22. Woman drawn in full size on #22 looks best drawing of them all, in my opinion. And mostly because here you don't draw that sharp manga-style jaw, which makes drawing super cute.
To name one I didn't like so much at all, it's probably the colored one, #14. Looks way too much like rest of these million amateur manga drawings around Deviantart. And even if it's style, eyes that blend into skin make my own eyes stitch weirdly so I can't look at drawing like this for long...
Anyway, good luck to you. I really like what you can do with pen and paper. How about mouse/tablet?
Thanks for all the feedback, I know I have some weaknesses with proportions and other aspects of drawing. I've decided to keep with that one character for my game as she is fun to draw and would be easy enough to animate. I'm hard at work on my second background, here is a sneak peak:
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/background01-1.png)bg#1(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/char01.png)
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/background02.png)bg#2(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/Lovely_maiden/char01.png)
I only just found out that holding shift while using the pencil tool in Photoshop makes clean, crisp lines. I know I shouldn't be tracing from a real background but I think it's working out quite nicely so far. I tried arranging the hot dog cart and garbage can so that it wouldn't look too out of place perspective-wise. There will be a big fat man sleeping on the job beside his hot dog cart and I'm almost done my turn around of the main character. Things are moving quite well!
What do you guys think of my backgrounds so far? I want to keep the coloring very basic and simple so that I can focus on other parts of the game.
Very good so far. The lineart matches the main character's style, and the simple colours make it look very, well, consistent. You may want to line up the panels' inner lines at the toy shop to run parallel to the outer lines, though.
Nice font btw ;D
Nice BGs.
One thing you should not forget - shading on corners. Corners painted in brown are unrecognizable now. It is enough to use 2 colors. But I am sure you know this already :)
What I think?
I think that they look great, and won't go into any detail about your art. I'm not an artist, and you have plenty of feedback already.
But what is most important is that you already have 2 Bgs, and 1 character. Sure nothing is complete, but with our phychological coaching ;D I could see you finish those 2 BGs and the whole movements of the character in 2-3 weeks time. And you know what? 6 BGs and 4-5 character (ok exaggerating a bit) make most games around. And those games, if planned successfully can make a full game ;)
Good luck!
One possible problem comes to mind. Your outlines on character are very thin, so if you use scaling in the game it may not look good. One possible way to remedy this is to make stonger outlines, so they don't disappear when downsizing the sprite in-game. Also when making backgrounds this should taken into consideration.
Yes, yes, there was thin outlines on CMI too, but in my opinion it didn't always work too well...
Quote from: zabnat on Tue 02/10/2007 21:38:26
Yes, yes, there was thin outlines on CMI too, but in my opinion it didn't always work too well...
Totally true: The scaling in CMI was terrible, in fact one of the weakest (technical) points of the game.
But I think in a small game with few locations that shouldn't be too much of an issue. Both screenshots shown here will work fine without any scaling, and I think a thicker outline would look a bit too cartoony. So I'd rather suggest to choose a perspective for any (possible) additional locations that simply doesn't require scaling.
Hmm, and if there's scaling, doesn't the HQ filters of AGS produce a good enough quality?
Hey, there's nothing wrong with tracing over a photo. If you're going for realism, why bother copying something exactly when you can just trace it?
But anyway, I just wanted to say that her lack of nose in the frontal view disturbs me. I know small noses are part of the style, but you could at least throw in a shadow to show where the nose is.
Oh, and it looks like you're off to a great start. Good style, perspective, color-choice. Just don't let the game ideas get out of control. I was trying to think up a short idea for the last MAGS, and when I finally plotted it out, it was 26 rooms! I think it's actually harder to plan something small than something big. But at least you've got the art skills down. That should make the work easier.
Quote from: Oddysseus on Wed 03/10/2007 01:09:13Hey, there's nothing wrong with tracing over a photo. If you're going for realism, why bother copying something exactly when you can just trace it?
Ahem. For one, some people want to attain skills and learn something, rather than just get a photocopy.
A photocopy is a photocopy. Tracing a photo, however, can really help a person with making their art and layouts realistic. After tracing some, I noticed I was trying to waste less space in my BGs and actually putting stuff that made sense. Now, I don't think it STAYS a good artistic method, as you should progressively become more instinctive after some practice. Either way, the background looks nice, as does your choice for the main character. Just don't let it get away from you...I want to some day play Robots of Dawn! ;)
nice "jap-anime" style sketches, I hope your scripting will be as good as your pencil skills :) ( I saw cute pictures ruined by lame programming )
But you simply rock :)
One little thing : all the ladies you draw where drawn in winter ? lol Look like they are all having cold :D (*jk* )