Adventure Game Studio

Hi everyone,

As there has been way over a year since the last Background Blitz (https://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=56030.0), with Gilbert's blessing I took it upon myself to attempt to revive the competition.
The theme for the current edition of the Background Blitz is...


Make a background featuring a mountain range of any type and at any distance. The mountains can, but do not need to be the most prominent feature of your background, but they need to be visible somewhere.

Deadline: the 2nd of October
Voting until: the 6th of October
Winner: lorenzo
Second: Deabriel / Flugeldufel
Third: Creamy

Voting:
Concept: Your background should tell us something about the place you have depicted.
Playability: Does it have clearly defined walkable areas, things to interact with, etc?
Artistic Execution: Does the image convey the wanted atmosphere? What's the feeling of the place?

Don't let the Blitz die, get an entry started today! :)

Oct 6th:
Below are all the submitted entries. Thank you everyone for the great turnout!

Spoiler

lorenzo
[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/GezQkKX.png[/imgzoom]
DBoyWheeler
[imgzoom]http://d.facdn.net/art/maverickhunterdboy/1569098052/1569098052.maverickhunterdboy_backgroundblitzmountains2019.png[/imgzoom]
cat
[imgzoom]https://www.clowdergames.com/pics/competition/bgMountains.png[/imgzoom]
Flugeldufel
[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/dOtzn3c.png[/imgzoom]
VampireWombat
[imgzoom]http://ags.pics/cEHy.png[/imgzoom]
Cassiebsg
[imgzoom]http://ags.pics/cTIX.png[/imgzoom]
Creamy:
[imgzoom]http://creamy.r.c.f.unblog.fr/files/2019/10/copycat-.png[/imgzoom]
Deabriel:
[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/dfRzhaC.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

Trophies:
(https://i.ibb.co/dKnqV7x/trophy-mountains-1910-gold.png)(https://i.ibb.co/Z8gpzfy/trophy-mountains-1910-silver.png)(https://i.ibb.co/60QYHdk/trophy-mountains-1910-bronze.png)

Great idea, Kastchey, and a lovely theme!
I hope I'll be able to make an entry.

Awesome, looking forward to it!

I will see what I can do. This is a busy month for me.
But I might be able to either use some mountains in one of my games or work a few minutes at a time to make something specifically for this.

Thanks for bringing this back!  (nod)
I'm not sure I have the time to enter right now though.  :-[

I started to work on something but don't know if I will be able to finish it (or get distracted in the middle)

Fingers crossed for your entries, guys. I can always do a small extension if needed.

Yeah! I'm in!

An extension until the 1st or 2nd would increase the likelihood of me being able to do something quite a bit.

Okay then... It's longer than an average BB would last but let's make an exception as it's the first one since over a year ago ;)
I have changed it now so that everyone has a fair chance.

Awesome, thanks. Unless some major unexpected event happens, I should be able to make something no problem.

My entry:

(https://i.imgur.com/GezQkKX.png)

Very nice entry, lorenzo! It's inspiring me to try my own even though my art skills are nonexistent.

Thank you, Durq!
You should definitely give it a try! (nod)

It's beautiful, lorenzo. Love the colours you used, especially for the mountain range in the distance.

Durq, do try it! Getting inspired to create a piece of art regardless of your skill level is what this competition is all about, in my view.

Lorenzo knocking it out of the park as always!!!

I can imagine Tin Tin arriving at that trailer on his motorbike to investigate!

Kastchey: Your comment makes me really happy because I often struggle to find the right colours!

Mandle: Thank you! You can read the full the story on his unofficial comic book: Tintin and the Mystery of the Dirty Caravan, where the reporter will answer hot questions such as: "Who littered the mountains?" Is as exciting as it sounds!

I'll try it.  I made a simple mountain trail setting.  The person who might use this in a game can probably make up an inventory item the main character might pick up on the way, and perhaps the narrator could say what awaits higher up.

(http://d.facdn.net/art/maverickhunterdboy/1569098052/1569098052.maverickhunterdboy_backgroundblitzmountains2019.png)

DBoy, thanks for the submission. I'm sure the background would seen a use especially if you added some more details to make it more interesting.

Three days left everyone!

Cassie told me about this, and then I forgot. Lorenzo has set the bar high, but I will see if I think of something simple I can conjure up quickly. But next time: Definitely.

Ah yes. Hopefully someone will post in this thread tomorrow so I won't forget to start working on a background...

Oh, I completely forgot about this! I started working on something, but then I got distracted. I hope I can finish in time. Otherwise, I'll post a WiP.

Thanks for posting, cat. Good luck finishing in time.

I have now technically started mine, but I won't have time to work on it today since I need to finish my MAGS entry...

Post a WiP then, VW. I'm curious what you have come up with.

cat, good luck with yours!

You want me to post a brown rectangle?

If that's what you call "technically started" then maybe not...

Found some time to finish it up. I wanted to try something with a limited palette for a change:

[imgzoom]https://www.clowdergames.com/pics/competition/bgMountains.png[/imgzoom]

Nice, a Gameboy game.

cat, it's lovely! It does have that subtle Nintendo air as VW pointed out. So beautiful.

Thanks! To be honest, I used the colors from this beautiful artwork:
http://www.supersmashland.com/imgs/screenshot1.png (http://www.supersmashland.com/imgs/screenshot1.png)

Ah oh. I just realized something. Is this open through the end of today or has it already technically ended?

Quote from: VampireWombat on Wed 02/10/2019 14:34:53
Ah oh. I just realized something. Is this open through the end of today or has it already technically ended?

I hope it's still open, here's my entry. I started a bit late, so it lacks some polish...

[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/dOtzn3c.png[/imgzoom]

I wanted to do pure pixel art, but I lack the energy today.

[imgzoom]http://ags.pics/cEHy.png[/imgzoom]

Still open indeed, thanks guys for your submissions. I was planning to keep this open until around midnight CST.

Flugeldufel, that looks awesome! It has a strong classic LucasArts vibe, super adventuregamey. And I love the texture you produced for the rocks.

VampireWombat, glad you managed to deliver your entry after all! Pure pixel art or not, that's one gloomy piece of art. Nice job with the foggy silhouettes in the background, it adds a really creepy feel to the picture.

Please don't close it yet... I'm fast pixeling...  :-D

Edit: Finished! (though I think it's a bit too noisy)

[imgzoom]http://ags.pics/cTIX.png[/imgzoom]

Cassie - You didn't have to rush that much. There's still almost 9 1/2 hours.

Kastchey - I always intended to. I just thought I'd be working on it at least some yesterday...
I wasn't sure how well the fog would work since it's a combination of stuff from Inkscape and GIMP.

I know, but I have other stuff to do... besides pixel art bores me to do, which is why I'll never be "good" at it anyway.  (laugh)

Cassie doing pixel, cool! ;) Thanks for getting another entry in.
The noisy texture actually creates quite an interesting effect. Very nice!

As VW said, there's still a few hours left if anyone else is working on an entry.

Please wait for me!

[imgzoom]http://creamy.r.c.f.unblog.fr/files/2019/10/copycat-.png[/imgzoom]

Looks sweet, Creamy! It's so consistently unreal that it looks like a snapshot from an uncanny dream.

Big THANK YOU to everyone who submitted the entries! Background Blitz is now officially alive again :)

The voting phase is open until the 6th of October.

There's still a chance that I can enter? Because I made a background today in the morning, but I had to went out urgently for personal problems and I didn't had time to go to my house yet, I will be in my house in 30 min or less

Sure, bring it in. I'll pretend I forgot to close it ;)

Thanks!!
Here's my entry (Sorry again for being late)
[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/dfRzhaC.png[/imgzoom]

No problem! It's a great entry, very DOTT-esque.


A HUGE thank you to everyone who submitted an entry! Happy to see such a great turnout, especially that it is the first Blitz since over a year.
Picking a favourite may be really difficult this time...

Entry galore below:

lorenzo
[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/GezQkKX.png[/imgzoom]
DBoyWheeler
[imgzoom]http://d.facdn.net/art/maverickhunterdboy/1569098052/1569098052.maverickhunterdboy_backgroundblitzmountains2019.png[/imgzoom]
cat
[imgzoom]https://www.clowdergames.com/pics/competition/bgMountains.png[/imgzoom]
Flugeldufel
[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/dOtzn3c.png[/imgzoom]
VampireWombat
[imgzoom]http://ags.pics/cEHy.png[/imgzoom]
Cassiebsg
[imgzoom]http://ags.pics/cTIX.png[/imgzoom]
Creamy:
[imgzoom]http://creamy.r.c.f.unblog.fr/files/2019/10/copycat-.png[/imgzoom]
Deabriel:
[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/dfRzhaC.png[/imgzoom]

Voting:
Concept: your background should tell us something about the place you have depicted.
Playability: does it have clearly defined walkable areas, things to interact with, etc?
Artistic Execution: does the image convey the wanted atmosphere? What's the feeling of the place?

Voting closes on the 6th of October.

Trophies coming soon!

Only three categories for so many great entries - this is going to be a hard decision!

Can you maybe link all entries in the first post? That would make it easier to decide.

Sure, I was going to as soon as I get back home.

I have now updated the original post and the one where I closed the competition with the list of entries for easier voting.

Let's get those votes in!

So many great entries! I want to think about, before voting.
In the meantime, my comments on each entry.

• DBoyWheeler: a simple, but effective background. I like the contrast between the mountains and the path, that highlights the way.


• cat: nice Gameboy style background! That squirrel is so cute. I also like the tree in the foreground, it gives some additional depth to the scene. So cool what people can do with a few colours and pixels.


• Flugeldufel: that's a lovely image! It wouldn't feel out of place in an Indiana Jones game. I can imagine getting lost in those passages and walking on the bridge.


• VampireWombat: a nice, atmospheric background, with the full moon and the ominous castle hidden in the fog. It would fit well in a horror game.


• Cassiebsg: those green mountains remind me of the photos I've seen of Machu Picchu (never been there myself, though). Lovely background! You may find pixel art not fun, but you're not bad at it!


• Creamy: as Kastchey said, your image has a dreamy atmosphere which I really like. I would love to explore the game world and meet its inhabitants!


• Deabriel: cool background in the "distorted" style of old Warner Bros cartoons/Day of the Tentacle! I can imagine meeting lots of wacky characters at that camp.

All in all, a fantastic Bg Blitz! Thanks Kastchey for hosting it after the long hiatus.

I am voting lorenzo for all three. Fantastic background.

Artistic execution: lorenzo. It looks like a panel extracted from a good comic book.

Playability: Flugeldufel. Any background here is playable. I just like this one very much too.

Concept: Deabriel. I don't see any real "concept" here. So I reward another scenery that I like.

The other pictures aren't bad. I just feel like these 3 stand out.

Quote from: FlugeldufelIt lacks some polish

Are you kidding? It's more polished than most people can do.
I was inspired to "continue" it even if I figured out that I had neither the skill nor the time to match it:

Spoiler

[imgzoom]http://creamy.r.c.f.unblog.fr/files/2019/10/panoramique.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

I was wondering if this would ever make a comeback! I'm not much good at art myself, but I really love looking at everybody else's entries :-D
So, here are my votes!

Concept: Deabriel. One look and I know the setting, what kind of NPCs I might find and the general style of the game (I agree with other posters that it's very DOTT-esque!)
Playability: lorenzo. Walkable areas are easy to spot, and there are all kinds of things I might be able to do with the trailer and the sign and the bottle and the glasses. Plus, it's a beautiful background.
Artistic Execution: This was hard, but I'm going with cassiebsg. While there's not much in the way of objects, something about this hut in the middle of green mountains really piques my interest. I get the feeling there could be an interesting story there.

My votes:

Concept: to me, the most evocative background is Creamy's. And the "full" image is so cool!
Playability: Flugeldufel. Lots of galleries to explore!
Artistic execution: I was undecided between Flugeldufel and Deabriel. At the end, I chose Deabriel.

My votes

Concept: cat (I agree, the Game Boy aesthetic is a cool idea)
Playability: Creamy (the Asian setup could give plenty of possibilities--the dragon helping cross the lake; the Buddha statue maybe coming to life to give hints; and of course, the pagoda being a possible destination)
Artistic Execution: It was a hard choice, but I give it to Deabriel... feels like something from a Maniac Mansion series game, or perhaps one of the cartoony-style Sierra games.

My votes:
Concept: Creamy - it's kind of surreal like a weird dream - and I had to grin, when I saw the full picture. Very cool!  :-D
Artistic Execution: Deabriel - I like that background, it could be from a DOTT / Sam & Max game. (my second favourite style. My favourite's the old LucasArts/Indy style, but that's an easy guess I think  ;) )
Playability: lorenzo - this one could've won all other categories as well - a masterpiece!

I also like cat's Game Boy picture very much, but there are only three categories.

lorenzo
Fantastic work! The linework is great and so are the colors. There is a lot to to interact with.

DBoyWheeler
A simple background with clear exits. Sadly, there is not much detail to look at or items to interact with.

Flugeldufel
Is this an unused background from IJ:FoA? You interpreted the style spot on. The wall texture on the left is amazing. Unless you zoom in, you wouldn't think this is pixel art with just a few colors.

VampireWombat
A very atmospheric background, it makes me want to take the boat and row over to that castle.

Cassiebsg
Maybe you don't like pixel art, but you should give it another try, your background is promising!

Creamy
I have a weak spot for Asian scenery and I really dig your composition. Extending the other background is an amazing idea.

Deabriel
This background screams DoTT/S&M all over! Great work!

Voting:
Concept: Creamy
Playability: A close one between Flugeldufel and lorenzo - Flugeldufel has more interesting walkable areas but lorenzo more stuff to interact with. I think I'll go with Flugeldufel for this.
Artistic Execution: Another close one. Flugeldufels pixel work is great but in some parts it's visible that it's not pixel art but shrinked/color reduced. It was tight between lorenzo and Deabriel, both fantastic works. I'll go with lorenzo here, because it looks like it has been taken out of a Belgian comic book.

Great work, everyone!

My votes:

Concept: Cat, I really like the game boy aesthetic colors for a point & click game
Playability: Flugeldufel. The visual reminds me of Indiana Jones, and see it makes me want to play it right now
Artistic execution: In this I was undecided between Lorenzo and Creamy, but I will go with Lorenzo, I really love that comic cartoon aesthetic.

PD: I draw some characters for my background in my free time (them are not too much worked because it was a very fast thing just for fun):

Spoiler

[imgzoom]https://i.imgur.com/0d9EH0t.png[/imgzoom]

[close]

Very hard to decide, I agree.  (nod)

Concept: Creamy (very cool that you tried to continue the BG...  (laugh) )
Playability: Lorenzo (there's really lots to play with in this BG!)
Artistic execution: Flugeldufel (because it's just so beautiful!)

Concept: I'm going to go with VampireWombat here, the creepy atmosphere really stands out.
Playability: A tough call between lorenzo (TONS of potentially interactive objects) and Flugeldufel (an abundance of paths and exits of various sorts). I finally decided to go ahead with Flugeldufel, because the entry just screams a point and click game.
Artistic execution: cat. I just love the limited palette usage and the "soft" feeling of the image.

It was a really difficult choice this time in each and every category, again - fantastic job everyone.
I plan to close the voting phase some time after midnight CST today, so let's get some more votes in!

Also, I have added trophies to the original thread.

Concept: Deabriel - It makes me want to see you adapt it into a MAGS game.
Playability: lorenzo - Has the most interesting stuff to interact with.
Artistic execution: Flugeldufel -  It really looks like it could be from an Indiana Jones game.

Concept - Creamy. I would love to play a game in this world.
Playability - Lorenzo. Lots to explore and interact with.
Artistic Expression - Lorenzo. Lots of beautifully crafted entries. But in the end this is the one that I would choose to hang on my wall, given the choice.

Concept: Cat (The limited palette gives nostalgic and (in this particular color palette) a warm cute scenery)
Playability: VampireWombat (That castle would have a lot of rooms and secrets to explore)
Artistic Execution: Deabriel (I really want to see it in a game, it gives me a lot of lucasarts games feeling)

Concept: lorenzo (I can tell so much about the hard-drinkin' slob that lives here, except how the hell he built that door after the trailer collapsed on its axle.)
Playability: Flugeldufel (So many places to explore. coming upon this screen would be exciting in-game and it's immediately clear how to get everywhere.)
Artistic Execution: lorenzo (It's just too beautiful so I had to double vote.)

Concept: lorenzo
Playability: lorenzo
Artistic Execution: Deabriel

With so many good entries, voting was tough.

Thank you for participating in the voting phase, everyone!

Thank you all once more for an awesome blitz.
Take it away, lorenzo!

Congratulations! Great work, everyone!

And thanks Kastchey, for bringing the competition back.

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks for your votes! Already looking forward to the next Background Blitz.

Quote from: cat on Mon 07/10/2019 08:24:04
And thanks Kastchey, for bringing the competition back.

(nod)

Well, it was you guys who really made it happen :) But I'm glad to see it was the right call to try and bring it back.

Thanks for the votes and the kind words!
I'll try to think of a good theme for the next bg blitz.

Congrats to everyone and thanks for your votes. This was interesting and funny, I'm excited to participate soon in the others.

Congrats to the winners.