Simplistic square background

[m0ds]

For my ickle project square route. I've attempted to keep the background simple but with the same "square" theme. Originally I thought the trees would look good as a single, large square - but then concluded that lots of tiny squares made much better looking trees, leaves, clouds etc.

How does it look? Are there any areas for improvement? Should I use shading or not? (I've included the characters on the right of the background too so you can see how they fit with the style).



You can also enjoy the theme.


m0ds

Square Route: Where's Moggit?
Developer: Screen 7

An exciting short tale of Rarrly's attempt to find his lost cat, Moggit. You control Rarrly as he explores the countryside and city, solving many crazy - logical and illogical cutsie puzzles. Just where has that silly kitty got too?!

[m0ds]

Thanks! Yep, my signiature holds a link to the un-finished website, which just plays some music and has Rarrly talking a little.

The thing on the left is a sign-post! It's the name of the street! And the thing on the right inside the house compound is supposed to be a shed. But it doesn't quite look like one for some reason.

[InCreator]

Have you tried to use colors?
Maybe making green squares as leaves and bright blue ones as clouds would give better idea what's what?

btw, this cat looks cool.

[Moox]

I like the way you used the square in everything, one thing Im a bit confused about is the pole thingy left of tree

[m0ds]

InCreator - simplicity is the key! Not only to help me with the fact I'm not so good at art, but also because I'm intruiged to see how something so simple will turn out. Therefore I'm not so kean on adding colours, just using shades of greys etc, black and white.

Traveler, true - it was really just for showing the "end" of the bush - I'm not really sure how else to end it. It could be part of the garden, I suppose - and so that pole would be the back post.

Blackbird, thanks for the designs - I'll try and make a shed from it! I like the first one, and the glazed w/ grills one!

[kl4Uz]

looks pretty good imho but the cat doesn't fit in! Make her outline a bit thicker!

[Ashen]

Yay! I remember the thread for Rarrly and Moggit from a while back. I wondered what'd happened to them.

Nice BG, but I agree with InCreator - I'd like to see how it'd look with colour. Nothing fancy, just use green filled boxes for trees and plants, white cloud boxes in a blue sky, etc. Just a suggestion.

[pixelcat]

I really like the style, you must have a lot of patience.   I like the characters as well, and think shading would be a good idea, as there's little or no contrast at the moment.  Good stuff.

[Evil]

I think color would make these even more awsome.



Something simple like that.

[MoodyBlues]

The theme is so quirky and fun; it made me smile.  I love the little "meows"

This background is great, too.  I don't think it needs any shading, though I think that cat needs some gray lines to fit in with the rest of the background.

[Chicky]

its such a qwirky little background i dont think the colour really suits it, just the different shades of black do it for me.

As ive said before mark, i just love the tune

[Miez]

Sweet graphics, m0ds. Very Zen Don't put colour in them, I love 'em in grayscale.

[Haddas]

I agree. Do NOT use colours. That'd ruin the simplicity.

[InCreator]

Nice BG, but I agree with InCreator - I'd like to see how it'd look with colour. Nothing fancy, just use green filled boxes for trees and plants, white cloud boxes in a blue sky, etc. Just a suggestion.

No-no-NO!
What I did mean, was NOT filled squares!
Leave the bg white, as it is, and do everything you did, but just use different colors to make not-filled-squares!

Like this. I'm not very comfortable with square style and did it really fast, but if you tried to redo it nicely by yourself, I think this'll be a bomb.



...then again... maybe not. It's your game and decision. I can't really decide if colors could do any good.

[DanClarke]

It hurts my eyes.

[He-Man]

The original is the best... Simple and pretty
I like the trees and bushes very much.
This could end up being a really cool game if you fit the gameplay to this simplistic style of your...

Your pal
Niels

[Darth Mandarb]

I really, REALLY, like the way this looks!

You can achieve a lot by using just the gray/black/white combinations.  Just a little paint-over with an idea for the clouds.


You could draw attention to certain elements (clues) by using color like InCreator's edit.Ã,  Ex: If you're supposed to pick a certain flower, you could make it the only element on the screen with any color to it.


Or, another cool idea would be to make the game become colorful once you find the kitty ... kind of like it was dreary before, but then happy and color filled once you find your kitty!!Ã,  This could even be done in stages ... like as you realize you're getting closer to finding the cat, color starts shining through.Ã,  (Think Pleasentville)

Keep it up man, this looks sweet!

[Paper Carnival]

it's cute!!!

[Phemar]

Darth's one is nice. He's got a square style, even thought his stuff isn't really square...

I think it's the anti-aliasing. Switch it off and I'll probablt like your background alot.

No offense but at the moment it looks a bit...ugly.

[m0ds]

Thanks for all the replies!

InCreator: It's a nice concept, but I think the fact that pretty much all the things like leaves are squares makes it look a little confusing when coloured. It's hard to explain.

I like Evil's slight colour shading too, but I think simplicity is still the key. It might always be worth trying shades in another release And colours, too!

DM's drawings are schweet too! I really like that style too. But, I'd never be able to draw like that! It's cutsie in a different way, IMO. I likes it.

He-man, yep - the gameplay is going to be cunning, I'm still figuring out exactly how it's going to work but it should be interesting! Anyone that's interested in coding a relativley complex GUI pm me!

Thanks for all the comments tho, inspiring stuff! I'll keep you updated with its developments, probably have some more art soon!