Orbital (retro, EGA adventure game) artwork criticism

[JayeJaye]

Hi all,
I'm hoping to get some constructive criticism on some background scenery for a game that is currently in production: http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=43580.msg579936#msg579936

As an amateur 'artist' (and I hesitate to use this word casually, considering I have very little experience compared to many who frequent these forums), I have been attempting to mimick and reproduce a certain Sierra flavour in my background art while simultaneously developing my own style.

I appreciate any constructive feedback regarding perspective, shading, atmosphere and technique.
So to dive right in, I'll start with an interior shuttle scene:



I'm sure improvements could be made, but I need a fresh perspective!

[Nick O.]

Liked it a lot. Really 80's feel, man. Though I can't really understand what kind of location is this, on one hand it looks like a cockpit without any consoles, on the other it looks like a spaceship dining room of some kind
But it's probably just me.

[Monsieur OUXX]

Indeed, very nice. Great feel to it.

Only critics: Maybe you could be more subtle in your use of the lightest shade of blue. Don't use it as a plain one-pixel-wide outline everywhere. Put it really only where the light is bright.

[JayeJaye]

Nick, I think I should have given some context - this is a crashed shuttle in the desert (partially buried), and the opening in the top is where the PC enters. Sand has fallen through the entrance (and is partially illuminated).
Understandable re the consoles - they're not fully operational. There is a mug on the helm in the foreground, so I can understand your confusion!

Maybe you could be more subtle in your use of the lightest shade of blue. Don't use it as a plain one-pixel-wide outline everywhere. Put it really only where the light is bright.

Could you elaborate a little? I've removed highlights from the ceiling beams, which I think is what you're referring to - and I'm trying to rework the lighting as suggested.

BTW I assumed you're talking about the light-cyan colour (in the classic Sierra 16-colour palette)?

[Monsieur OUXX]

Could you elaborate a little?

Yes, I mean light cyan.
For example , if you look at the 3 roof structures on the ceiling: There is one in the foreground, one in the middle, and one in the background.

Look at the one in the background: I think what you did on the left looks much better than what you did on the right, even though the line of light-cyan pixels is interrupted. that's what I mean by "more subtle". No need to have an uninterrupted line all the way. Just play with a few pixels. To highlight what needs to be highlighted.

[JayeJaye]

No need to have an uninterrupted line all the way. Just play with a few pixels. To highlight what needs to be highlighted.

Awesome, that's what I thought you meant. Here are the changes I made yesterday while trying to keep your feedback in mind (I think it looks a lot better!). I also removed the front console, where the mug was initially sitting, and added some highlights.

[Monsieur OUXX]

Here are the changes I made yesterday while trying to keep your feedback in mind

I like it much better, but that's just my personal taste. Excellent work anyway!

[Abisso]

I know you asked for constructive criticism, but I really have to say what I'm about to say:

You made my day. Really, I almost can't describe the feeling when I looked at that sprite. It's been like some sort of flashback, like being dragged into the past, but not only that. I'm not saying it reminds me of something... it has that look... really, I'm not kidding, it's one of the most prepossessing things I've seen in quite some time. It captured me somehow... what an atmosphere. You'll all think I'm high or on LSD or something, but I'm not, stay assured.
Finding this background in a game would be great, and suggest uneasiness and mystery.

With such a premise I can't be very objective, but I'd keep the first one: I think its 'hollowness' contributed to its charm, and I preferred the skeleton and the cup as well.

By the way, thanks Jason, I owe you one hell of an emotional state. Seriously.

[Uhfgood]

Space Quest III - rock it ;-)