Adventure Game Studio

Creative Production => Critics' Lounge => Topic started by: KyriakosCH on Sat 09/07/2016 18:22:55

Title: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sat 09/07/2016 18:22:55
UPDATE:
18/7
A somewhat darker approach, what do you think?

(https://s32.postimg.org/88ya2by5x/day1.png)

(https://s32.postimg.org/b1rhmcyid/day1b.png)

(https://s32.postimg.org/5yjhkn6xx/0250.png)

(older pics removed!)

[(obviously huge parts of the interface are either placeholder or utterly missing atm ;) )

Youtube intro video (with original music) is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CrrDkarGpI :D

Fellow poster in the forum, Chris -credited in the intro-, will be providing some more excellent piano pieces for the game...!
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sun 10/07/2016 07:47:44
The following model of the Hagia Sophia (and other stuff) is one of my all-time better 3d works, so i will use it in the game in a sort of cameo ;)


(https://s32.postimg.org/3wdkpbmo5/image.png)

(there it is a scale model out of wood or similar)...
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Chicky on Tue 12/07/2016 19:36:05
Hey KyriakosCH, Lovely work here. I checked out your Youtube link too, the piano adds a nice eerie atmosphere to your animation. I like how the light floods in at the end but wasn't too keen on the dips to black between the character's standing frames.

As for the graphics style, it gives me a vintage film feel, despite being 3D rendered :) If you keep up this standard for the whole game I think you'll be onto a winner!
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Tue 12/07/2016 21:08:54
Thank you!!! :D
I will go check your own work now.. (edit: The Man that only I can see, looks awesome...) 8-)

(outdated pics taken out)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sat 16/07/2016 18:03:01
(edit... :) )
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Mon 18/07/2016 15:40:43
A somewhat darker approach, what do you think?

(https://s32.postimg.org/88ya2by5x/day1.png)

(https://s32.postimg.org/b1rhmcyid/day1b.png)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Danvzare on Mon 18/07/2016 17:55:15
I can barely see anything.
Way too dark.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Mon 18/07/2016 19:08:59
^Might be your screen, i recall you claiming this before a couple of times -- screen tuning is an issue with darkish images ;)

That said, i got this view by one more person, and three others seem to not view it as too dark to see, so i will check again...
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: ThreeOhFour on Tue 19/07/2016 02:15:10
It looks pretty dark to me also! I suggest at least making the text a brighter colour to make it a little easier to read.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Danvzare on Tue 19/07/2016 10:08:26
Quote from: KyriakosCH on Mon 18/07/2016 19:08:59
^Might be your screen, i recall you claiming this before a couple of times -- screen tuning is an issue with darkish images ;)
Nope, definitely not my screen. It's probably yours.
My screen is so bright, that I have my brightness set to the lowest setting, and it's still too bright. I've actually had to put sunglasses on at night, just to stop the screen from straining my eyes. (laugh)
I also play Thief at a very low gamma setting, and usually have no trouble seeing anything.

I can see your image, and identify features. But damn is it hard to do so.
I would definitely not want to attempt to read an entire game's worth of text that dark.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Tue 19/07/2016 16:29:42
Hm... now? :)

(https://s31.postimg.org/azn9xuru3/0250.png)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Danvzare on Tue 19/07/2016 16:47:48
Ooh, much better. More atmospheric in my opinion as well. :-D

Also, is that building in the lower right corner, that same model that you're really proud of, as it's one of your best works?
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Tue 19/07/2016 19:24:30
Yes, it is the hagia sophia :)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 20/07/2016 18:11:45
Your backgrounds are cool in their own style.

What I can point out is this : At the moment, your character doesn't have the right contrast and stands out (it looks gray on a black background).
Suggested solution: Create SEVERAL versions of your character (like, at least 5 versions), with different levels of darkness and contrast (quickly done in Photoshop/gimp/Paint.Net).
Then use the properly-lighted character in each room, to fit the ambient lighting.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Danvzare on Wed 20/07/2016 18:28:46
Quote from: Monsieur OUXX on Wed 20/07/2016 18:11:45
Your backgrounds are cool in their own style.

What I can point out is this : At the moment, your character doesn't have the right contrast and stands out (it looks gray on a black background).
Suggested solution: Create SEVERAL versions of your character (like, at least 5 versions), with different levels of darkness and contrast (quickly done in Photoshop/gimp/Paint.Net).
Then use the properly-lighted character in each room, to fit the ambient lighting.

You do know there's an easy way to adjust the light level of the character based on which walkable area they're one, right?

It probably wouldn't look as good as your suggestion, but it would be much easier.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Wed 20/07/2016 21:15:37
Given lighting in this room - maybe some other too ;) - is part of the storyline, the view when you only use the small lamp can be as darkened (in fact it should) :

(removed outdated pic...)

But at some point in the game (i hope it is a demo chapter), you can use the hanging light instead, which obviously will make things far more visible :)



Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Monsieur OUXX on Thu 21/07/2016 09:12:22
Quote from: Danvzare on Wed 20/07/2016 18:28:46
You do know there's an easy way to adjust the light level of the character based on which walkable area they're one, right?
You're absolutely right. Until recently you couldn't make the character darker, only brighter. But now you can. That said, my suggestion was also aiming at creating versions with different lightings (from the right, from the left, fom behind...). also using the brightness featurre would degrade the contrast. But your suggestion is definitely the best quick solution.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Thu 21/07/2016 09:40:14
^Yes, and i will experiment with that :D

Btw, better version of the -only lit by the lamp - version. (already made the lit by the chandelier one as well, but no, i won't show you) ;)

(https://s32.postimg.org/h40jme3xx/0249.jpg)

The following room (kitchen) isn't ready yet (lighting for starters produces a grain effect on the lower part of the room), but i wanted to show a different part of the game environment ;)

(https://s32.postimg.org/ew17bh0ad/0253.jpg)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Thu 21/07/2016 14:30:09
And :)

(https://s32.postimg.org/jfdcxujut/0256.jpg)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sun 31/07/2016 15:47:46
Yet more changes, nearing the completion of gfx stuff...

Just before the intro ends:
(https://s32.postimg.org/pm02ivwfp/introend4.png)

other part of the intro:
(https://s32.postimg.org/vs1jb5zb9/0259.png)

(https://s32.postimg.org/pvkzdqrs5/kitchenprev.png)

One of the cinematic--side scenes:
(https://s31.postimg.org/3jwbu7h97/0250.png)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Darth Mandarb on Wed 03/08/2016 13:35:59
The biggest problem I see is they are sooooo dark!

I did a quick demonstration on the "just before intro ends" image:

(http://i.imgur.com/ImQDPDH.png)
- punched up the brightness a lot
- centered the composition (unless you were going for a "something's out of whack" feeling in which case ignore this one)
- I didn't get the feeling this one was supposed to be dark and ominous so I brightened it a lot, but even 1/2 of what I did would make it read far better IMO

Also the bedroom w/ the chandelier:

(http://i.imgur.com/3dar3uH.png)
- upped the brightness a lot as well

Now with this one I got the sense of a "midnight mood" type thing so if you wanted to stylize it a bit more you could do something like this:

(http://i.imgur.com/XICNyje.png)

I went a tad overboard on that one but it illustrates the point well enough I think :)

I did these very quickly but if you spend a little more time on the lighting I think the end results would be much improved!
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Wed 03/08/2016 14:29:37
^Nice... :)

I will have to rework the pics, likely with Gimp instead of relying on the original render for all..
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Wed 03/08/2016 18:39:20
I took a different direction. I didn't want to use some degree of pixelation, but i think it might be both more practical and a bit more atmospheric. Tell me what you think...

(https://s31.postimg.org/kyy2614h7/place2preview2.png)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Fri 05/08/2016 13:57:50


(https://s31.postimg.org/vdxr8896z/0001.png)

(https://s32.postimg.org/479yfud1h/0047.png)

(https://s32.postimg.org/99u2i8t05/0020.png)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Mon 08/08/2016 15:21:57
Trying a 800X600 render, tell me what you think... :)

(https://s9.postimg.org/o475ra11b/0015.png)

(https://s9.postimg.org/y5rj0g73j/0022.png)

In my view it is more workable.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Danvzare on Tue 09/08/2016 09:30:05
I'm going to be honest with you.
I like it... I like it a lot! (nod)

It really shows off your artwork as well.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Tue 09/08/2016 10:57:59
Thanks! :D

Do you like the ant as well?

It's not an ant-agonist, btw (i am so funny (roll) ) :)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Danvzare on Tue 09/08/2016 13:07:21
Quote from: KyriakosCH on Tue 09/08/2016 10:57:59
Do you like the ant as well?
Ant? What ant?
...
Do you mean that spider-looking thing on the wall?
I hadn't noticed it until you mentioned it. It looks good as well. :-D
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Gurok on Sat 13/08/2016 08:21:43
Is this the ant (circled in blue)?

(http://i.imgur.com/x6vGIVf.png)

The cabinet on the right with a hole in it looks a bit odd, like the hole's not supposed to be there. Is it a front view of the left side of a buffet and hutch? I can't really tell what the gap is for.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sat 13/08/2016 09:10:03
Yes, that is the ant. What else could it be, really? :-D

There are only three pieces of furniture, which may seem little but it is part of the plot; you are in a dream, and stuff there exist due to tied meaning and not as actual objects. The character (mental asylum patient) has a sort of quest in that red-wallpaper apartment. He morphs into the ant as well. :)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Gurok on Sat 13/08/2016 09:14:18
So what sort of cabinet is that cabinet in the foreground of the right of the scene?
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sat 13/08/2016 10:12:22
Usually one holds books or other small objects in that space of such a furniture. In the game there likely won't be anything, cause it is meant as a space which may (or may not) trigger something if you move your hand inside of it. A part of the story this chapter of the game is based on features the examination of whether the secondary objects in the main room do play any role at all, ie if by moving/re-arranging them something can happen. Think of a lucid dream where you try to learn the rules of the dream. It is pretty much the scope with those bits of furniture, while the focus is on the corridor (it has a small opening, but you don't fit inside with your human form, which is why the ant first comes into play).
Although the ant has other things to do as well. The 'dancing' is a main focus. And it isn't really a dance either ;)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Danvzare on Sat 13/08/2016 11:22:55
Quote from: KyriakosCH on Sat 13/08/2016 09:10:03
Yes, that is the ant. What else could it be, really? :-D
A spider.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sat 13/08/2016 11:33:07
Well, some spiders mimic ants, to make other beings believe they are some harmless ant, and then devour them (laugh)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sat 13/08/2016 12:31:44
A sketch of the main hall of the asylum (some stuff are going on there the first time you visit, eg those chairs will be filled and there is a speaker in the rightmost edge of the hall). See the isolated chair in the corridor? That is your favourite location ;) :)

(https://s10.postimg.org/rwv34lm0p/sketch.png)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: selmiak on Sat 13/08/2016 13:02:24
You know, you should show stuff like this in your indiegogo campaing. YOU want to make a mysterious horror game and don't want to spoil stuff, okay, but people are interested in WHAT they are funding and want to know more about the game ;)

Is this Kafka on the wall?  :-D
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sat 13/08/2016 13:50:10
Quote from: selmiak on Sat 13/08/2016 13:02:24
You know, you should show stuff like this in your indiegogo campaing. YOU want to make a mysterious horror game and don't want to spoil stuff, okay, but people are interested in WHAT they are funding and want to know more about the game ;)

Is this Kafka on the wall?  :-D

Of course it is Kafka (nod)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sat 13/08/2016 16:09:54
Hm, testing, but what do you think of the lighting?

(https://s9.postimg.org/urqfyb9hb/0001.png)

other version:

(https://s10.postimg.org/52y3cdyjd/0001.png)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: selmiak on Sat 13/08/2016 17:08:21
all very weird, the light in your very first version was way better, more natural and actually coming from the lamps.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sat 13/08/2016 17:20:58
That is easy to re-do, thanks :)

Edit:

(https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_620/v1471121620/0002_jspruh.png)

(https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_620/v1471121670/0001_bdll7d.png)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Kumpel on Sun 14/08/2016 09:16:55
Are these copied furnitures just place holders or will I find this chairs and this cupboards in every room? (laugh) :=

This breaks a bit the immersion for me. Please give us more diversity!

about your question: Can you do a clean render of the image in reply #34? It looks very natural but maybe too good in high quality. But I love the bumb map you used for the ceiling. It Has a really nice effect on the way I experience the room.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sun 14/08/2016 10:09:55
What do you mean? All furniture was bought from the same place :=

(yes, in the end they will be diversified, and there are other ones in the patient's bedroom and some kitchen stuff too i had made (laugh) ).
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Danvzare on Sun 14/08/2016 11:43:41
I'm really loving how the graphical style of this game is evolving.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sun 14/08/2016 18:11:42
Hm, thoughts? :)

(https://s3.postimg.org/umauoafmr/0008.png)

Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Thu 18/08/2016 21:24:52
In-game the screen uses the full room (640X400 as always), but this is just the animated rendered frame ;)

And other recent pics:

(https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_620/v1471269841/0019_ocirdg.png)

(https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_620/v1471375309/0050_pkb0kp.png)

(https://s3.postimg.org/79m6dft2r/redwallpaper_apartment.png)

(https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_620/v1471010527/0076_qdzyga.png)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sat 20/08/2016 22:48:28
Main clinic corridor -- and if you want to help our campaign, now would be a good time to do so given we have been sort of stuck at $20 for a few days now :=

(https://s10.postimg.org/vlp6prsuh/room1dem.png)

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-dancer-with-six-legs-new-horror-old-fears/x/13826467#/

https://www.patreon.com/Kyriakos

(https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_620/v1471733462/room1pre2_xk9xy2.png)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Mandle on Sun 21/08/2016 06:50:32
Quote from: KyriakosCH on Sun 14/08/2016 10:09:55
What do you mean? All furniture was bought from the same place :=

(yes, in the end they will be diversified, and there are other ones in the patient's bedroom and some kitchen stuff too i had made (laugh) ).

Don't diversify too much though: The place is supposed to be an institution, and generic impersonal furniture and general decor is a crucial part of the institutional feel.

I understand though that the red wallpaper areas are a dream-world kinda place and should be quite different. I mean just the real-world areas.
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sun 21/08/2016 19:25:24
The smallest of the rooms: (wip-- lighting is way too noisy currently)

(https://s4.postimg.org/5ych727lp/room2pre.png)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Tue 23/08/2016 14:34:44
Part of the intro (frame placed onto a 640X400 layer) ;)

(https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_620/v1471958958/0448_fiq9t9.png)

Part of a cinematic (pick up key)

(https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,w_620/v1471959669/0422_jxn2jm.png)

Trying to have some of the mood of Another World 8-)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Fri 26/08/2016 14:36:10
Two gifs :)

(http://i.imgur.com/sevkTKO.gif)

(http://i.imgur.com/gFlNrF4.gif)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: Danvzare on Fri 26/08/2016 16:34:19
Ooh, that first animation. So ghostly. :-D
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Fri 26/08/2016 21:58:42
I hope you don't just mean as in... floating (laugh)

Btw: (look at part of a riddle too :D )

(http://i.imgur.com/2txBzGe.png)
Title: Re: Gfx style change for my game // what do you think?
Post by: KyriakosCH on Sun 28/08/2016 16:39:32
A screen with the actual moving of the tower on the chessboard ;)

(http://i.imgur.com/RRq1RNr.png)