Spooky outdoors background

[Fulcrum]

Just started playing with AGS, and I wouldn't mind some feedback on some of the backgrounds I've been experimenting with.  Currently my scripting is non existant, just dipping my toes in with making some rooms and seeing how things work. You can also see the main character there in his default view.

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/36820227/

30 colors, 38 with main character.  I'm debating whether to attempt to stick to a 256 color pallette, or just go high color but retain the look of the low-color games by restricting the palette in each individual background.

Also debating on how to achieve the mist effect - at the moment, what you see there is a "walk behind" region, which means it gets deeper as he walks towards the screen. My other option would be to make a new set of views for the character, with washed out/faded legs.  It'd look better, but would go past the (admittedly arbitary) 8-color limit I set for myself.

Any feedback would be appreciated, positive or negative.

[Ghost]

The character looks extremely good; given the context of the background I'd say "victorian mystery/gost story" without knowing about the lovecraft thing.

the background's very good, especially for a "first attempt", too, though it lacks some detail; I'd add some branches or undergrowth to the image, or create another walkbehind with some bushes/roots/leaves.

The mist works well but objects that are close to the player (low on screen) should be very dark and outlined, while they will become blurred in the distance. I like the effect and how the character "sinks into the mist".

As to the decision: 256 colour palette Vs. high colour, I think it's much less troublesome to go for high colour and restrict the palette of the images. Importing is easier, and since you can always compress the sprite file, your game probably wouldn't increase very much (if that is what you're concerned about).

All in all, good work!

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Looks good so far.  The simplest way of handling it would be just to do as you said and make another player character with the mist in the animations and switch to that on those areas, though you could also try using a character overlaid on his feet with a mist-type animation- then you could change it if he was in water, etc.

[Andail]

First of all, please try to make an upload that can display the image directly on this forum, for instance Neole's uploading site.
The picture itself can certainly be improved. Right now it's not really interesting, as there is little to look at, and everything is blurred. You can create a mystic scenery without smearing out all objects. To make a background interesting you need interesting shapes and more contrast.

The mist certainly doesn't work. Mist is not a thick layer of cream, it's much more ethereal, and it's not completely white.

The best part is the character, which is really well drawn and could work perfectly with the theme of your game (although the dissolve effect on his feet is non functional, and looks more like a bug to me).
This character definitely deserves a background with more efforts and time spent on it.

Good luck

[Fulcrum]

First of all, please try to make an upload that can display the image directly on this forum, for instance Neole's uploading site.

Hmm.. didn't know this was a problem. Can't see it in the "read this before posting", must have missed it in the FAQ.  I figured this way would be better than forcing people to load the image every time they visit the thread.

The picture itself can certainly be improved. Right now it's not really interesting, as there is little to look at, and everything is blurred.

I do need to add more detail, although this particular room won't serve too much of a purpose, other than for atmosphere.  I think one thing contributing to the blurriness is the color compression - the only thing I actively "blurred" was the house in the background.  There's actualy  texture on those trees, for example, but it was lost when I compressed the image.  I may try increasing the number of colors and see what happens.

The mist certainly doesn't work. Mist is not a thick layer of cream, it's much more ethereal, and it's not completely white.  The best part is the character, which is really well drawn and could work perfectly with the theme of your game (although the dissolve effect on his feet is non functional, and looks more like a bug to me).

Well if you'll notice, it's only solid white on the path - ie, right by the character's feet. This was done from necesity for use with the mist effect (which I've tweaked slightly since this screenshot was taken).   It'd be fairly easy to ditch that entirely, though I would still like to have some sort of mist effect on his lower legs.  ProgZmax's idea of another sprite overlayed on the character to achieve that sounds interesting, though I'm a crappy coder.

This character definitely deserves a background with more efforts and time spent on it.

Well I have other backgrounds uploaded to that deviant art account, but I won't post the links if linking to outside pages is against the rules (and one of the backgrounds in question REALLY needs some work).

[Neutron]

he never said it was against the rules, so why are you putting words in his mouth? look, he is offering you critisism, maybe you don't like it, but there's no need to get mad.

[Fulcrum]

he never said it was against the rules, so why are you putting words in his mouth?

He's a mod telling me to embed the images in the post, in no uncertain terms. So I figured it must be a rule.

look, he is offering you critisism, maybe you don't like it, but there's no need to get mad.

Who said I was mad?  :

[Indie Boy]

it could be a unwritten rule :

[Nacho]

It's a recommendation, so people can criticise your art better... If you provide a link, many of the people who might help you won't bother to follow the link.

So, it's up to you, if you want more opportunities of people to help you or not.

Nice image, though...

[Greyarea]

I'm no pro at this like some people on this site but the ceilling in pic of the room on your site seems a little too high in proportion to the character. Also the mirror seems to be at a very strange angle, like something is behind it (pushing it outwards).

Besides that I like the background -hope you finish the game and that the story and puzzels are as good as the graphics. 

[Fulcrum]

I'm no pro at this like some people on this site but the ceilling in pic of the room on your site seems a little too high in proportion to the character. Also the mirror seems to be at a very strange angle, like something is behind it (pushing it outwards).

...You forgot to mention the TERRIBLE perspective on things like the bookshelf, the desk, the rug...   

I'm in the middle of tweaking that one (one of the reasons I didn't post it).  The mirror is supposed to be curved though, not flat.

[SinSin]

i dont think he was getting mad as such i just think the way andail puts it is sometimes a little , well,  harsh my opinion

I like it tho the trees could do with a lil more detail and maybe a few more grass blades poking thru