Character Image

[prototyp3]

I made a test character to figure out some sizing issues.  I want realistic proportions for my characters, but I don't want them to over power the screen real estate.  This character is 20x40, but doesn't really allow for much detail work. (or atleast I'm having difficulty)

Do you guys just create a larger character sprite and rely on ingame scaling to shrink you down?  Does the funny popping of pixels of the dynamic scaling bother you during game play?  Any advice is welcome.  Thanks.

[MrColossal]

heyo, nice character, i don't think the leg on the left of the image looks good however

i see it as you trying to show his leg muscles but it just comes off as bulbous to me, he looks like a thin thief type character, with lean muscles not bulking ones

as for character scaling, i only scale the characters when i absolutely have too. 98% of my game will be unscaled characters because i feel it just looks better. i will accept a scaled character [try it with the anti alias] but to me i just keep him 100% as long as possible

eric

[prototyp3]

Hey MrColossal, thanks for the info.  I'd like to try and avoid scaling, but some of the screens I have planned will need progressive scaling as you walk further into the screen.  
I also agree his leg could use some work.  He's just a test though, so he's free to stink the place up with artistic mistakes.  ;]

I did one more quick test and it looks like I'll definitely need to increase the size of my sprites.  I draw too thin of characters to try and squeeze them into 20x40.  Time to try a slighter bigger size. (and I'll definitely try the anti aliasing with the scaling, thanks)

[Neole]

Those are great designs! However dyu guys do pixel art, I suck at it..

[prototyp3]

Neole: I doubt you'd have much trouble applying your talent to a couple hundred pixels.  ;]  
Thanks.

Just a quick note, that anti aliasing of sprites works wonders!

[Xadhoom]

Amazing work! :o I think it's awesome how much detail and attitude you gotten in on sizes like that. Great and inspiring work!

[prototyp3]

Thanks Xadhoom.  The other night I dug through the older pages here and saw your sprites, they're awesome.  It's a letdown you've dropped that fantasy based project, I was digging the style.
Infact, I should harass you to team up on an all original fantasy project.  ;]

[prototyp3]

And one more, you guessed it, test.
I upped the sprite size to 40x80.  This would definitely work, atleast in allowing more detail to the characters.  Would this size be too large on a 320x240 background?  I could always scale them down a bit, either ingame, or attempt to author them at 30x60.



BTW, thanks for the nice upload spot, Neole.

[Gilbert]

Would this size be too large on a 320x240 background?

Simple. Just paste the sprite on a background with a paint programme or whatever and see if it's ok.
Of course you can also scale it with walkable area (actually this is not a bad idea, as if ppl setup your game to play at 640x480, the sprites can be more detailed).

Really nice sprites BTW.

[ratracer]

great sprites!
amazing how you get good lighting and shading on such small pics!

[Synthetique]

i recognize the first one.. cant remember from where...

[Xadhoom]

Yeah, it was a bit of a sordid story with my fantasy project...*sigh*
--------
That orc-troll-thingie you've made is just great...it's gonna be a bitch to animate though...

[taryuu]

mmm pixel goodness.

you know, you could always just increase the size certain parts of the character, like the face or or hands or ummmmm nevermind.   but i don't know if that would fit in with your style of drawing.  have you ever played final fantasy?  the first one?  they did great work for not having many pixels to work with.

[prototyp3]

Thanks guys.

Taryuu: You're right, using exaggerated proportions would definitely help in the case of smaller sized sprites.  And while I could do something like that (my hi-res art is actually heavily influenced by anime) for this type of game I'd like to go with a realistic look.
And I must admit to not playing the early FF's.  Infact, I only played 7 and 8; 8 being my favorite.  I couldn't stand the art direction in 9, and 10 had too much FMV and I didn't like that they had the main character talking.  I do like the sprites from the earlier games that I've seen on the net.

[prototyp3]

Xadhoom: I'm guessing you're right, animating a cycle for such a pixel heavy character would probably take a great deal of time.  I think I might give it a try though, just to see how much longer it takes.


I do have another question though.  Is there a way to play a small animation cycle BEFORE snapping into the looping walk cycle?  For instance, say this sprite character below stands in place as shown.  Say I wanted his walk cycle to have him carrying the axe in one hand resting over his shoulder.  You would get a nasty pop from holding the axe in both hands at a stand still, to holding the axe over his shoulder with one hand during the walk animation.  
Any ideas?

[evilspacefart]

the character reminds me of an old and little known game called Inherit the Earth.
It had some talking animals go on an adventure.





I liked it and I like the look of this game's characters. continues prove that hi-res isn't neccessarry to make a good game. keep up the good work.

[n3tgraph]

whoa that game looks like it's worth playing for sure....

* N3TGraph notes it on his to-play list

[aussie]

Yup.

[Xadhoom]

Great work once more, Proto. Love the legs. As for your question, I've been wondering that myself. Would really be great if it is possible.

[Darth Mandarb]

I like the creature with the axe.  It looks like the character in Titan AE (the one voiced by Janine Garafola).  So if you need reference for animation and the like you should check out that movie (if you haven't already seen it that is)

I'd like to see the animation of the super pixelated creature ... could be interesting.

dm