I have received a couple of comments that my characters for The Hatmaker's Tale resemble objects of an *ahem* "adult" nature (and I had been thinking about changing the characters' leg areas anyway), so I would some opinions as to whether these new designs are an improvement or not.
Here is the ORIGINAL:
(http://crabshack.bythegoddess.com/game/GroupSketch.jpg)
Here is the NEW VERSION:
(http://crabshack.bythegoddess.com/game/GroupSketch2.jpg)
Basically, the change is that they now have defined legs, rather than a blobby ending. Better? Worse?
If you have any other suggestions, please tell me. I would like to make any major changes now, before I start on major animations.
Thanks, all comments appreciated ^_^
When I saw your original characters the furthest thing from my mind was that of an adult toy.
I thought "Those are some freakin' cuties right there..."
So I guess change them if you always wanted to but I wouldn't get too hung up on the comparison because it's not obvious it's just people inadvertantly reading into the design, in my opinion.
Thanks, MrC ^_^. The comparison isn't the only reason why I asked, though... I guess it's difficult for me to say if I want to change them or not. In static shots, I think I like the new version better, but the animations for the old version would probably be more interesting than the new ones. I suppose it would probably help if I actually posted some animations with the new legs, but I'm really slow at animating and would like to see if enough people think it's worth trying first.
I think the new ones look better. It gives a shape of actually being human sorta.
I prefere creatures with 2 legs and 2 arms. The new sketch fits that pretty well.
I actually love your original characters, it is a very smart design and has alot of potential.
In all honesty, they remind me nothing phallic in nature, instead I find the shape to be rather well created and cute.
I am not certain if anyone else has said this to you already, but their form somehow reminds me of edible jellyfish candy, alot like some kind of colorful bear candy I used to enjoy as a child (which is a good thing, trust me).
I know that it might prove to be a bit hard to choose between the two-legged and multi-legged version, but the best advice I can give you at this point is to be happy with the choice and the result yourself and to avoid falling into the trap of trying to please everyone else.
+1 vote in you keeping the originals.
Edit: English
I think the walk cycles of the new ones will make them more penis like. I like the old ones, with some sort of ghost or jellyfish walk cycle. Though the new ones are cleaner, the older ones have much more style.
I'm trying to picture them walking around on those leglike appendages, and it's not working. I say keep the originals.
I think I'm starting to lean back toward the originals, myself. While 2 legs may make them more human, I wasn't really aiming for that (they are supposed to be blobs ^_^), and I'm not sure what the walkcycle would look like either.
Thanks for the responses, everyone ^_^
Plus... You don't have to reanimate them now!
Don't think that didn't weigh into my equation ^_~
I like the blobblie ends better than the feety ends, personally. Like Eric, I didn't even think about naughty bits of any sort when I saw them. They are super cuties and I don't think anything needs changed.
And shame on everyone who said anything about naughty bits!
I didn't see anything naughty in the original design. And now that I've been told something naughty may be suggested, I still can't see it. I see only blobbly cuteness.
Now ALL I can see is the naughtiness! Damn it! >_<
I think the new one looks 3d even without good shading. The third "leg" makes it look flatter and will be a bigger challenge to shade while keeping the 3d-ness. Plus, it's just cuter...
While I didn't see a problem with the original, I think moving towards a more human shape will make it easier on you for animation purposes, and I think it looks a bit more appealing as well. Alternatively, you could opt to make them gumdrop shaped with relatively flat bottoms that stretch a bit outwards when they move. Quick example:
(http://members.cox.net/progzmax/blobby.gif)
Haha, I like the slug-iness ProgZ ^_^
Here are the walkcycles I have right now... as you can see, the side walkcycle doesn't really exactly match the front. The side cycle is a bit more "blobby" in character, while the front alternates more like normal legs.
(http://crabshack.bythegoddess.com/game/walkfront.gif) (http://crabshack.bythegoddess.com/game/walkside.gif)
(Now that I look at them side by side, I think I should make them match more... plus maybe add a little of that side-to-side swaying action that ProgZ's example has ^_^)
Using the front walkcycle as a guide for what the new design's walkcycles would look like, I think I prefer the blobby one...
Yes, these look good. Did an edit to show you how you could make the movement a bit more gel-like while giving the appearance that he's actually moving.
(http://members.cox.net/progzmax/walkside.gif)
After looking at Progs original, I agree that the bottoms would be better flat. But I think they should move more like a slug then a snake or just a blob. Stretch themselves forward then retract. I think the over all cuteness wouldn't be changed with this. Bouncing seems too cheery to me.
Quote from: Evil on Wed 16/08/2006 05:05:05
Bouncing seems too cheery to me.
It's always too cheery! :=
I quite like it. if the wibble-wabble walk was a bit smoother it'd be perfect.
I kinda wonder where he's heading to so fast :=
I think I like ProgZ first walk the best!
I have to agree on that I like Progz walk the most also.
Spoiler
Ps your characters still look like wangs to me.... I'm sorry I'm really trying not to. But... well... there you are.
The slug-like movement and the flat base does look more 'correct' in that slugs and other blobby creatures do move like that.
I agree with Evil that the bobbing movement is very cheery, but I don't think that's a problem. Your characters are very cheery, and unless they have to deal with the decline of the milliner's trade and destitution I can't see why that would be a problem.
If there is a slimy villain of the piece, it might be interesting if he slid around in the manner of ProgZmax's edit.
I wouldn't worry about them looking naughty. People won't seeing it unless they're looking for it. And if they're looking for it then they're unlikely to be offended.
Quote from: KANDYMAN-IAC on Wed 16/08/2006 15:28:41
I have to agree on that I like Progz walk the most also.
Spoiler
Ps your characters still look like wangs to me.... I'm sorry I'm really trying not to. But... well... there you are.
Nah... Looks more like a condom. Maybe a way of fixing the original problem without changing the bottom is by making them less tall or their side less straight, thus they don't look so erect.
P.S. Not trying to be vulgar in anyway, but I can't think of any better words
Perhaps I used the wrong word... when I say "blob", I mean a more solid jelly-like creature, so their shape is generally retained. I like the bobbing cheeriness of the walkcycle, but as Ali suggested, I was also planning on doing a more subdued walkcycle for other characters.
Anyway, criticisms noted; walkcycle to be tweaked. Thanks for the paintovers, ProgZ--I will be studying them closely ^_^
Quote from: MashPotato on Thu 17/08/2006 01:56:29when I say "blob", I mean a more solid jelly-like creature, so their shape is generally retained.
What if you gave them more of a candy-corn or gumdrop shape? Or maybe some more "compression" in the bottom and/or middle part of their body, so they bulged out a bit instead of being so narrow and cylindrical? I'm just trying to think what a tube of jello would look like if it was just sitting there, not in any sort of container or anything. Or maybe try making the hair color different from the rest of their body.
I don't know, just some ideas if you're looking for something a little different. I guess I can see what other people are talking about, but I think you'd be ok if you decided to stick with the original designs.