crit on first background + how to fix this walkcycle??

[mordax]

So, I just got AGS and started working on my first game.  It's not the first background chronologically in the game, it's just the first one I've done so far, and I'm looking for some crit. I have a few questions.

1. Does the shading/lighting look okay as is? what are the ways I can improve it?
2. what style sprite would go with this style of background?
3. Anything else you see wrong or that might be helpful. Thanks so much!

(Oh in case you're wondering, the game I'm working on is a horror game; a Silent Hill fan game, actually)



EDIT: I just finished my basic walk cycle (no details or shading til I get it smoothed out) the problem is it's very jerky and... not very good. This is my first experience with animation, can anyone help me figure out where I went wrong and how to fix it?

[Babar]

It looks somewhat flat, actually. Especially noticeable at the desk and chair. You should make the side of the desk facing us slightly darker (if the shadows on the floor are any indication). Also, the texture from the front of the desk "travels up" to the top of it, without bending at all, which somewhat adds to the flatness.

Other than that, the left corner of the desk and the drawer don't seem to be lined up. Also, the legs of the desk seem to be incredibly thin! Certainly not thick enough to support it.

[Anian]

It has an atmosphere, it is creppy and the textures are interesting. You should use textured (skin, materials, fabrics etc.) sprites, it'll make it harder to animate but it'll seem more fitting.

On the left side of the table, the front and the back is not connected (the table top doesn't have a left edge), also table legs are 2d (or a line as the case may be). Door frames are not vertically straight (the pixels show it's crooked). Door is missing a handle, I think. A lot of lines are badly connected, you should re-check that more closely.
Lighting is a bit strange - the walls are shaded as if the light is coming from front left, while the table throws a shadow like it's lit from the right.

Put some details in (pictures, light sources, books, phone etc.). Oh, usually the offices have a window...kinda ergonomic and keeps ya more productive. Maybe make on one side 1 drawer (like you did both) but like 3 drawers on the other side, it'll make it look more interesting.
Other people will tell you more specific details that I didn't notice.

[Matti]

I have to say I really like the style, especially the colors / patterns.

Here are some points.

1. The desk's legs don't have any depth. It's not only unrealistic, it looks odd too. Also, the line doesn't fit the desks edge.

2. It seems that you didn't always use the line tool to draw your lines. Some look too.. sloppy.

3. The black outlines of the drawers stand out too much I think.

The chair looks way too sloppy. I suggest you take a photo as reference and draw him once more. The shadow on the floor looks rather abitrary too but I can't give you any useful advice on that..

Otherwise I like the background, it definitely has potential.

EDIT: Haven't read the other posts, so sorry, if I'm repeating things..

[mordax]

Babar, thanks for pointing these things out, especially the bit about the texture going onto the next surface! DOH. as for the impossibly thin legs, it come from the photo I was working from, but you're right, it doesn't look at all right in the drawing.

anian: thanks much! I'll recheck where all the lines meet. As for the lighting, there's meant to be a lamp on the desk that I hadn't done yet. And the office is full of windows. Big ones... next to the door (as well as the door itself). They're covered in grime so you can't see out of them.

Mr Matti: woot, diagram Very helpful! Thanks for all the input. The amusing thing about the chair is, as I said, I was working right from a photo! I''ll see what I can do to make it look more realistic.

[cuestaluis]

Apart from what everyone else pointed out, perhaps you'd like to darken it up a little to give it more contrast.
Also, cheap edit:

[mordax]

Just changed the first post- I'm having...issues with my walk cycle.

[zabnat]

First of all your walkcycle look like its missing some frame, I mean its jumps at a point. Secondly, her feet are moving ahead of her, not under her. Walking is not just moving your feet. Walking is falling over and catching yourself with your feet. And the upper body doesn't move at all. Search the critics lounge for walkcycles, you will find most excellent advice from the many threads about walkcycles.