Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Critics' Lounge => Topic started by: makerofgamz on Mon 26/05/2008 18:59:42

Title: First BG
Post by: makerofgamz on Mon 26/05/2008 18:59:42
Wanted to get some feedback from you guys about my first background. Took me about 1 and a half hours. Had quite alot of fun making it. ;D I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions.

(http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/5/26/f_townm_9d3e33c.jpg) (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/5/26/f_townm_9d3e33c.jpg&srv=img29)
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: Stupot on Mon 26/05/2008 19:06:57
It's looking good but it's far from finished.
It needs some background interest.
How about Some lookout towers behind the wall to make sure people don' escape/tresspass?   And then how about some skyscrapers and a bit of sky in the distance?
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: makerofgamz on Mon 26/05/2008 19:28:17
I fixed up the background a bit. Added some buildings and clouds. Is this a little better?
(http://img28.picoodle.com/img/img28/4/5/26/f_townm_1f29e73.jpg) (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/5/26/f_townm_1f29e73.jpg&srv=img28)
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: Mazoliin on Mon 26/05/2008 19:47:05
I like it, especially the clouds, but I'm feeling a bit irritated about those white spots around the black outline, but you maybe choosed it to be there.
The left side feel a bit empty, so a tree or a lookout tower as stupot said wouldn't be too bad.
Also the street feels a bit empty. Maybe a dumpster or a fire hydrant would do the trick.
And please, no transparent boards thank you. ;)
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: makerofgamz on Mon 26/05/2008 19:56:38
lol...ill have to fix that. Ill put a dumpster in there, and see how that helps.
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: Questionable on Mon 26/05/2008 20:07:13
I think this is supposed to be a prison. If it is, I wonder why a prison has a rickety wooden door as an entrance and if not then what is it?

Anyways. I can't see anything new in the second picture you posted. Maybe it's just me. Everything looks really empty though... like this building is in the middle of the desert. I'm at work so I just did a quick  minute edit but I would like to see MORE, basically.

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll183/QuestionableQontent/quickedit.gif)

I added some lines in the side walk. I added a sniper tower in the courtyard (assuming this is some sort of security hold or prison.) I added a second building and wall and I put in the detroit skyline behind it all. Put more stuff in the image. It's like a phone with no cool features... sure you can call on it but that's lame these days.

One loast thing, that front wall looks a little small, one guy on anothers shoulders could jump over that barbed wire.

ANYWHO, i'll post more and probably spend some time on that picture once I get home.
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: InCreator on Mon 26/05/2008 20:30:42
(http://www.increator.pri.ee/i/critshelp/prison_stuff.png)

* It looks EXTREMELY lazy how you handled anti-aliasing. Don't you see how bad this looks?!
Get rid of those ugly white artifacts NOW! It's hard to take bg seriously if creator was so lazy about so simple thing.

* The door looks quite interesting. I wonder if you could keep this style throughout your other rooms.
(and not overdo it)

* What did you try to do with those boards over doorway? Take two pencils and cross them. Can you really see edges of BOTH pencils over crossing? Place them over paper. CAN you see edge of paper under the pencil? I mean, what the f**k?

* I'd say that this background has potential, the architecture looks middle-eastern to me. But you should fix the effort/laziness problems first and then try to add something interesting onto white area.
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: makerofgamz on Mon 26/05/2008 21:11:34
Yea, um this is just suppose to be a wall in a ghetto type area next to a abandoned building. I agree, everything needs some work, not after looking at it.
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: makerofgamz on Tue 27/05/2008 17:02:00
Heres a few more practice attempts i did. I know they are kinda empty but they are just practice. I did manage to avoid getting the white artifacts. I was using a fuzzy brush, so i changed to a solid brush and that took care of it. Thanks for all your comments guys, they really helped.

(http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/4/5/27/f_officem_ef1b81f.jpg) (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/5/27/f_officem_ef1b81f.jpg&srv=img27)

(http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/5/27/f_PARKGATEm_b8d2dda.jpg) (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/5/27/f_PARKGATEm_b8d2dda.jpg&srv=img26)
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: Alarconte on Wed 28/05/2008 00:31:55
You need to make something with panoramas. You stay the panorama so clear yet... And is disguisting to the eye.

And you really need to think if somebody would play a game with this BG; The Great Surfaces of plain color are painful to the eyesigth (Really, is not an exageration).

We can respect a Drawn style, but if you don't do better 'cause you don't know, learn a bit about, there's a lot of tutorial, In your drawn style or whatelse.

And well... The Bookcase HAS outlines! Is the first time I see that. And Is shocking that the bookcase has shadow and anything in the room have too.

An what suppossed to be the Outlines making the "phantom" of a window? Are not painted yet, or ist tottaly subrealist?
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: makerofgamz on Wed 28/05/2008 00:44:12
like, i said, It was simply practice, but I posted the pics here, just to see if the overall look is a bit better....but I will read some more on panoramas. Thanks!
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: Layabout on Wed 28/05/2008 11:22:16
What are you using to make these images?

If you are not using a program with layers (which it looks like you are not), then I'd suggest you obtain one and learn about the magic of layers.

If you are... layers. And start on something a bit more lo-rez. It will look better. I don't think you are ready for 640x480.
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: makerofgamz on Wed 28/05/2008 22:35:48
I'm using GIMP. so it has layers. I might try a lower res. I made this image for a cut scene. I used layers for this, but still, probably to plain.

(http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/5/28/f_myroomm_8876610.jpg) (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/5/28/f_myroomm_8876610.jpg&srv=img29)
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: JuuJuu on Thu 29/05/2008 03:04:06
Quote from: makerofgamz on Wed 28/05/2008 22:35:48
I'm using GIMP. so it has layers. I might try a lower res. I made this image for a cut scene. I used layers for this, but still, probably to plain.

(http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/5/28/f_myroomm_8876610.jpg) (http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/5/28/f_myroomm_8876610.jpg&srv=img29)

Very nice! But that line (where the corner of the room is) isn't right. Well. it doesnt' seem right to me..
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: makerofgamz on Thu 29/05/2008 03:05:54
its suppose to be a sun shadow, but I think its going in the wrong direction...:D Thanks for pointing that out.
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: Alarconte on Thu 29/05/2008 22:17:16
a big progress. You notice the style from the new cutscene bg is Diferent that the others bgs? you gonna do the other bgs with this style? Is cleaner.

In anycase, Maybe i'm not sure 'bout the desk perspective.

But you do it overall Playable (as a cutscene, Don't hurt to the eyes as the others bgs)
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: makerofgamz on Thu 29/05/2008 22:43:51
oh yea. I noticed that. After creating a few other backgrounds, I figured out that retaining that style was a bit of a challenge. I'm going to stick with a simpler style for my first game.
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: jameskmonger on Mon 02/06/2008 18:46:27
could i use it in my game? i'd give credits of course
Title: Re: First BG
Post by: makerofgamz on Mon 02/06/2008 22:56:54
Sure yea..it was just practice anyway.