My Style (or lack of)

[Sean]

Hey Guys,

Basically, I want to know what you guys feel towards my art style. Specifically, what you like/dislike and why. I'm interested to know if you feel my style is appropriate for an AGS game and whether or not it could benefit from a "edge" (e.g cell shadeing). Cell Shadeing doesn't fit with the theme of my current project which can be viewed below:

http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=24657.0

I'm open to ideas, and any criticism you have.

Here's some samples from the thread:

   

I've also got some other art to show, which I posted a few days ago:







http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Magic265/NewVersion.jpg (Bigger)

Well, thats enough art to critique for now. Remeber, I really want to know how suitable you feel my art is for an AGS game. I suck at pixels so I've made a compromise

As this comes up a lot, I'll spare those wondering the trouble of asking. I create my art, using UnrealEditor2.5 and 3.0. I for the most part used PREMADE (not my own) textures and models to decorate my work. However, the rooms/structures, lighting and compostion are what I claim credit for. Heck, I do occassionaly throw my own mesh or texture in at times

I give full credit to the original developers of the UnrealEd Platfrom, and the artists behind UT2k4 and RavenShield packages. Without them, my "art" wouldn't be possible.

So, how can I improve?

What is their to adjust?

Thanks in advance 

- Sean

[police brutality]

My opinion isn't worth much since I suck at using UnrealEd (I only use it for AA maps) but I still have to say it: these pictures are fantastic. You are very good at creating a sense of claustrophobia, which is stronger in the 1st of pictures thanks to the darkness. And I love games that offer that sensation. However, I think it could be even stronger if viewed from a 1st person perspective.

Speaking of which, how are you going to deal with the character sprites? The perspective seems to change in every room.

[Buckethead]

It seems like you are of on a good start. But I still think you should make your own textures. It's not that hard to learn. With your own stuff you can easier make what you had in mind and it will also have more of your own style into it. Also your architecture is kinda boring. It's just a simple hallway. There is also hardly any detail. You could have some walls broken, or bucket or something somwhere. Stuff like that, just use your imagianation. 

EDIT:

my mouse got stuck and I quickly had to post before I had to type it all again. I didn't have time to do some of my own textures either. Here's a shot of a hallway I did, it might give you some ideas.

[pantsworth]

I have no experience  with doing that style (or any style for that matter).  However, I think it looks really cool.

I don't know what goes into making your own textures, but if i were you i would start learning.  For me it is just a matter of wanting to say "All of what you see is my stuff."  Then again, as much as i love the DIY mentality, one person can only do so much.

keep up the good work,
-pants

[Sean]

Hey Guys!

@Brute - Heh, thanks man! Some of the game is First Person.. well the "looking" parts anyhoo!

@Bucket - Hey mate, thanks for the tips. I think I will start learning how to texture, before I go full steam ahead with the project again. Modelling, for now at least is an unobtainable skill but it's something I plan to address after I finish school. Textures aren't totally out of my reach, I'm a graphic artist when I feel like it heh

Architecturally, for the first set of pictures I'd definatly agree with you. Everything is bland, and pretty boring. Those shots were made about a year ago, in a limited version of the editor which is one way of me explaining it all away!  : It's a valid point, and something I'm trying to address with my work. As you'll see in my later pictures like this one:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Magic265/NewVersion.jpg

I have made some attempts, to try and add some more depths to the room. Slanted walls, support beams and generally interesting architecture is implemented. It's not perfect, but I feel I'm getting an eye for it as I go along!

Solid advice, that I value so thanks

@Pants - I don't disagree, having the ability to say "it's all mine!" is something I hope to acheive at some point. It's a slightly steep learning curve but I am going to look into texturing before I proceed with the project fully. As, I'll be doing ALL the art from scratch.

Perspective issues are a valid point, and something I'll address when I get round to remaking the art.

Thanks again for the support

- Sean

I've started work on some textures, they look "wrong" to me but I'm not sure why!

[Buckethead]

They indeed look wrong but it's not a bad start. Here are some things:

- Your textures don't tile. If you use them in the game you'll see border on the edges where the texture doesn't blend over smoothly.

- I can't really tell what they are. The first one could be a mossy floor or someting but it could also be something else. I guess the second is a wall but I can hardly see that. If you use it in game it will look like one orange surface.

- They could use some more detail, they look really flat and lowres.

As for your new shot:

It looks pretty nice. The architecture is OK. This isn't UT where you run around with the power to jump and doge, so the detail is good enough I guess. All you might wanna change are the sharp edges.

might be better like this:



You maybe could improve the light a little. It's a bit blend and it's not contrasting with an other color anywhere.

[ManicMatt]

From skip-reading I don't think anyone mentioned it, but then again I'm not sure you're asking about it. The title screen.

You have posted it, so I will crit!

From reading your wip, I'd deduce this is a horror/thriller/chiller? If so, the font used for your logo isn't scary at all. It's actually posh and fancy, the sort of font you would use to print on your wedding invitations.

No offence!

[Darth Mandarb]

I've always wanted to make an adventure game in this style ... I wish you best of luck!  Having said that ... I gotta go with Matt on this one!  My initial impression from the backgrounds themselves was an eerie forboding (which is good!), but that font kills it for me!

I've made an example of what I'd do with it:



(The images you posted are very dark, so I put it in a huge dark border so the contrast between the forum page and the image didn't wash out all the dark details)

Feel free to use or disregard at your discretion!  I hope it helps!

edit - diggin the style man ... so I made another idea for ya:

[Sean]

 :o

Lovely title screen Darth!

@Buckethead - I'm going to work on improving my texturing skills for my next endeavour, for now I think I'll resort to public archives and the likes.. I can usually find exactly what I'm looking for so my vision isn't compromised. However, I really agree that it's something to look into and it's definatly something I'll work towards in the future.

@Matt - I totally agree, that title screen was just a quick thing I threw together when I was pushing out an interface demo a while back now. I had no plans of actually using it, but the critique is definatly helpful!

@Darth - Wow, just wow I can't really say much except, it rocks! I'll definatly be mimicking that sort of style for my interface and stuff... gave me some great ideas!   Also, thanks for the well wishes

I'll have some more art to add for critiques soon, I'm hoping to work in a lot of Buckets advice when it comes to creating geometry, as such I'm starting on a new area with a totally different style. Which means, I can get really creative!

[Buckethead]

www.cgtextures.com

it has a great amount of usefull textures and they are all free!! 

and here are some nice programs you might want to use:

http://www.filterforge.com/

It can make textures out of filters for you. I believe it can even tile

http://www.brick.com/md/md2.swf

It's some sort of online program that you can you to make brick textures.

Good luck!

[MadReizka]

That one screen seems to be from the game Ravenshield.
The one with orange walls, TV and the bed.

[Buckethead]

You can only be right if Ravenshield is made in Ued3 and can be opened by everyone with editor. Because I can cleary see that there is a Ued 3 light hanging in the upper left corner of the door.

[Sean]

Heh, second time I've had to quote my post beacuse people didn't read what I wrote

I give full credit to the original developers of the UnrealEd Platfrom, and the artists behind UT2k4 and RavenShield packages. Without them, my "art" wouldn't be possible.

That one "map" was made using UnrealEd2.5, and RavenShields mesh/texture packages. It's based on IMPORT/EXPORT I beleive, but is something I made from scratch. The textures, aren't final.. so don't worry about that. I'll be replacing them with whatever I can get my hands on..   :

[Buckethead]

I could get you some textures if you want to  to be honest I didn't read you post all that well either