Background Blitz - Secret Hideout - Winner Announced!

[Matt Frith]

Allright, the new background blitz will be entitled:

'SECRET HIDEOUT'

Let's see some backgrounds of a Master Evil World Super Genius' lair or your little treehouse in the woods (or something inbetween).

AGS compatible as usual.  Thats it!  Have fun

Entries by the 18th January

[Oddysseus]

Not an entry.   This comp just looked so lonely.

[Jakerpot]

What kind of evilness will the Evil Cave of Evil hide...




The entry of course is the colored (with gray) one.

[Jim Reed]

It's so secret, you can only see the entrance =P

[Wonkyth]

Nice, that makes me think Time Bandits for some reason.

[Jakerpot]

This is coming to an end soon...
Veeery soon...
No more entries? Come on! SHOW ME UR FIRE!!!!!

[Vukul]

We have fire! (even in the background, incidentally   )



Very nice hideout, because nobody will think there's something nasty behind that sooo cute house in the foreground  

[Jakerpot]

That's true, BUT, if you take a look to the sky... (just before you die)

For whom the bell tolls?

[Matt Frith]

Right, so it looks like there are no more entries so onwards with the voting.  I've nicked the voting categories from a previous blitz

Idea: Was it an original/creative interpretation of the theme?
Atmosphere: Was an interesting world created? - Did the scene evoke a feeling?
Design: How well the individual elements are designed, from clouds to doorknobs.
Composition: How well the elements are combined to create a pleasing whole, and lead the viewer to the points of interest.
Functionality: How well it would work as a background, with clearly defined entries and walkable areas, as well as a good viewing angle (this also includes introductionary shots of an area as long as a player character can be present in the scene).
Technique: How well it's rendered (within the chosen style!), in no way meaning the more elaborate the better

Ready! Set! GO!

[Jim Reed]

Idea: Jakerpot - Nature beats concrete
Design: Jakerpot - Nice curves
Composition: Vukul - had better defined shapes
Functionality: Vukul - I think this BG is more suited for adventure gaming than Jakerpots
Technique: Vukul - Where are the shadows Jakerpot?

So, it's Vukul, but it was a close call.

Overall, Jakerpots BG seems not finished, while you could import Vukuls one and use it right away.

[Vukul]

Well, what I have to say about these...

I'd nominate Jakerpot for idea and design too, but still I think it's just a sketch, which needs to be worked upon before being implemented into a real game.

So, my vote goes for Reed's background. This b&w style really appeals to me, as it manages to keep all the details needed while being very simple. Also, it can be used in a game - this alien can be regarded as a model for a PC, and it looks OK.

*pity, but Oddysseus has put himself out of the competition - his background is just a good match for default Roger sprite    Moreover, it has some nice humour within*

Edit: I suppose, that I should eventually fill in the categories:

Idea: Jakerpot
Atmosphere: Jim Reed
Design: Jakerpot
Composition: Jim Reed
Functionality: Jim Reed
Technique: Jim Reed

[Kastchey]

Idea: Vukul - The idea is too funny not to get a vote.
Atmosphere: Jim Reed - Jakerpot also did fairly nice in this field, but I have a feeling that his background doesn't exactly match the idea. This cave looks more like a place where the local kids would play rather than an evil monster's hideout, and the twisted tree and the moonlight don't help against it.
Design: Jim Reed - This was a close call between Jim and Vukul, but I couldn't resist voting for that skull, rock and cactus plant. And shadows. And the mountains on the horizon.
Composition: Jim Reed - This could as well be titled "A pleasing whole"
Functionality: Jakerpot - His background simply asks for walking areas and hotspots.
Technique: Jim Reed - Simple, yeah, but flawless.

[Ilyich]

Idea: Vukul - absurd and original concept
Atmosphere: Jakerpot - very rhythmic and consistent style creates a nice/spooky ambience.
Design: Jim Reed - precise and striking.
Composition: Jim Reed - very well balanced and diverse enough to keep the viewer interested.
Functionality: Jim Reed - it already looks like an in-game screen.
Technique: Jim Reed - it's rendered perfectly within the chosen style, and the style is great.

Overall, very nice entries, well done!

[Jim Reed]

Tier pointed out to me that I didn't vote for the atmosphere. Sorry about that.

Atmosphere: Vukul - has this weird feeling about it, although it was a tough choice.

[Matt Frith]

I guess I should vote too!

Idea: Vukul  Super Villian logic never fails!
Atmosphere: Jim Reed.  You B&W certainly works well here.
Design: Jim Reed. I love the cactus and stylized shadows.
Composition: Jakerpot.  My eye was drawn towards the cave, which I guess is the focal point.
Functionality: Jakerpot.  The scene certainly would be ideal for an AGS game.  I would have voted for Vukul if the fence didnt render much of the background difficult to work with.
Technique: Jim Reed.  Your style is coming along nicely!

So, overall, Oddysseus Jim Reed pips my overall vote.  I did enjoy all the entries though

I'll probably end voting by the end of today (Thursday) so if there are more to come in, hurry up!

[Atelier]

Idea: Vukul
Atmosphere: Jakerpot
Design: Jim Reed
Composition: Jim Reed
Functionality: Jim Reed
Technique: Jakerpot

[Darius Poyer]

Its quite strange to be judging these four entries by six different categories. perhaps a bit overdone but ill give my votes.

For the best in idea, atmosphere, design, composition, functionality and technique, my vote is given to Jim Reed on all categories.

[Matt Frith]

Okay, voting over!

I declare Jim Reed the winner! YAYAAYAYAY
Well done to all the participants, they were all nice entries

So over to him for the next competition. Go!

[Jim Reed]

=) =) =) =) =D =D =D =D
YAAAY!!!!!!!!
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!

I will post the next compo very soon. I'll even draw trophies!

[Vukul]

Congratulations, Jim! Well, the best work wins again  
Though, as it's seen from the votes - the winner was quite obvious (Oddysseus posed the only tough competition though   )

Looking forward for the next topic for the BBlitz...