Police office bg!

gameboy · Sat 14/01/2006 13:18:37

My Tallinn-game in development has just got another background! It took me awhile to draw it, and it's done only using the MSPaint. So it's a police office.

Any comments/crit/advice/paintovers and stuff like that would be good.

Thanks.

Pessi · Sat 14/01/2006 15:21:39

I think it's an overall pretty solid background!

Only a few things that I would work on. I might add a window or something to fill up the wall and make the scene less basement-like. If you're not fond of the window idea maybe you could change the colors of the walls or the ceiling. Having them the same brown-grey color makes you subconsciously think it's concrete.

The other thing is that the scene looks a bit like just a helpdesk or something like that in the end of a hallway. So maybe you could add some furniture, watermachine or plants in the middle or in front of the image to make it look more like a room.

I'm not an expert on freeware programs but I would consider looking into some other painting program. You can draw good stuff with MSPaint but it's a bit slow to work with. I can't even draw anymore without the magic wand tools and all those.

All in all though, it is a very functional and solid image. The style will definitely work in an adventure game.

gameboy · Sat 14/01/2006 16:27:04

Thanks!
I think that it's actually a great idea to add a window.
And the color of the walls, yeah, is very concretish. So now I think that it would look much better with a big window and yellow walls.

So I'll get back drawing and do some changes.

By the way, MSPaint isn't really the best choice, I think so too, however, I'm already learning to draw with ArtGem.

vict0r · Sat 14/01/2006 16:55:26

Great BG. Simple, but good! If you are making an english game, i would suggest that you change the finnish-ish writing with english.

And where do i find art gem?

gameboy · Sat 14/01/2006 17:10:02

The language is actually Estonian, not Finnish, but they are similar languages anyway.
When I complete the game then on the English version I'll change these writings to English, of course.

I'm not actually sure where to get ArtGem, but I remember InCreator posted the link somewhere. You should ask him.

vict0r · Sat 14/01/2006 17:17:44

Quote from: gameboy on Sat 14/01/2006 16:27:04
...I'm already learning to draw with ArtGem.

You obviously got it from somewhere. The original website for the program has removed it, but i was hoping there were somewhere else to get it. And if not, could anyone upload it to somewhere?

Darth Mandarb · Sat 14/01/2006 17:51:38

I didn't find anything wrong with the image. I feel it could use a little more shading.

- shaded the walls and counter
- added a "lip" to the counter
- altered the ceiling's color

Also, as was mentioned (and acknowledged) a window would make a great addition to the scene.

MarVelo · Sat 14/01/2006 19:16:07

I think that is more than need on the shading Darth, but a little more is needed.

gameboy · Sat 14/01/2006 20:04:45

Yay!Ã,Â

You got it, Vict0r!
After a little search I found it! InC posted it in on old topic. The link is here:
http://www.increator.pri.ee/ArtGem13crack.zip
That's where I got it'

edit: Darth, this paintover you made is great! You made really nice shading.

DonB · Sat 14/01/2006 22:11:56

Looking good!

Since I'm a cop myself.. I got a major improvement which cannot be missed.. the monitor is also to be seen by a "customer", this is never in a police office.. only a police officer must see this monitor because of officer-eyes-only-information, really, change itÃ,Â to be realistic

What about putting it on the left corner of the desk with its face to the guy who is going to sit behind the desk, yeh.. you won't see the monitor's display as a player.. but that's not that bad..

And what about a sit before the desk..

For the rest.. looking very very smooth!

DanClarke · Sun 15/01/2006 01:13:06

nice BG!

Just a quick pointer, not really a crit as such, more an observation. It's very unlikely that a computer screen would ever be visible behind a desk in a police station for obvious reasons.

gameboy · Sun 15/01/2006 09:38:44

How didn't I notice it before?
I will definetly change the position of the monitor. Yes, it should be in the left corner.Ã,Â

(otherwise the main character would get too nosy...)

InCreator · Sun 15/01/2006 12:48:05

Fixed the bench, hat (correct color now) and a poster.

But overall..

The good:

* Nice details
* Interesting background (in game it feels so)
* Well planned scaling and angles
* Low saturation colors (pleasing to eye)

The bad:

* Too desaturated colors. It's getting quite boring...
* Too much brown
* Perspective is awfully wrong, especially due 2-point perspective. Look at the following picture:

What's going on here?

Bonus Good:

* Perspective problems don't matter much, somehow!

gameboy · Sun 15/01/2006 13:52:39

Ouch! What a chaos I have with the perspective! So many lines going to random directions...Ã,Â

It makes me feel so dizzy...

But yes, it somehow doesn't matter very much. When I look at the picture without the blue lines, it seems almost okay to me.
Bah. I guess I don't need to change that.

Again yes, too much brown. The only interesting-colored things are the bench, poster, monitor and the map. Gotta change something.

--
Ooh! I just had a good idea! I should add a box of donuts somewhere!

eDiT:
So here's some changes. It's still not perfect yet, but it's better than before I think.

- changed the monitor's position
- yellow walls (not like a basement anymore)
- a window! Nice view to Tallinn in the evening
- donuts...

Tell me honestly, is it better now?

DonB · Sun 15/01/2006 14:38:12

I think the window is very good! But you should keep the brown walls.. looks better imo..
the box of donuts would be master!

InCreator · Sun 15/01/2006 16:59:39

Well, I think it's much better.

Though, if it were my background, I'd focus on lac of detail and large, empty areas.

Instead of continously adding details (and ending up with one messy room), I would play a bit with colors and light to narrow room down. For example, dark colors make rooms smaller.

Also, dark rooms feel smaller. Close your eyes and try to imagine how far the nearest wall in your room is - then open eyes - it's much usually farther than you guessed.

I tried a different wall color, more different wall with different floor, and finally, one of these dangerous light maps I love to use. Dangerous as they can get very wrong and mess everything very much up. Still, I quite like what happened, though it's too dark now.

You could use it for some ideas maybe.

gameboy · Sun 15/01/2006 17:14:52

That's a good point. I'll make the walls darker.

gameboy · Tue 17/01/2006 18:21:51

Sorry for the doublepost, I needed to bump it.

I tried to do something what InC said. Made it darker, too. And some more minor changes.

Ah yeah, also changed the color of the bench, but I ruined it. (IT was better before)

AlbinoPanther · Tue 17/01/2006 20:20:19

Hey gameboy it looks great.

One thing: You shouldn't change language on the posters for english version of the game.It is Welcome to Tallinn game so every thing should stay Estonian.It is not real thing to have english wanted posters in Estonian police department.

Think about it

LD[/color]

JimmyShelter · Tue 17/01/2006 22:18:51

Quote from: LJUBI on Tue 17/01/2006 20:20:19
Hey gameboy it looks great.

One thing: You shouldn't change language on the posters for english version of the game.It is Welcome to Tallinn game so every thing should stay Estonian.It is not real thing to have english wanted posters in Estonian police department.

Except ofcourse if the text contains important clues!