BACKGROUND BLITZ Get your gears going (RESULTS)

Blondbraid · Tue 02/08/2016 17:17:47

This BACKGROUND BLITZ will be about steampunk!

Steampunk, for those unfamiliar with the concept, is a blend between science fiction and fantasy with an Victorian aesthetic.
The style is mostly associated with but not limited to brass pipes and gears, old-timey goggles and steam-powered machinery.
I you need further inspiration on what to do and not to do, I recommend listening to this song!

I chose this theme because most of the steampunk illustrations I've seen have been of items and characters,
and I thought it would be fun to see more explorations of places and environments for a change,
be it the inside of an airship, an inventors laboratory, just a regular room with steampunk machinery,
anything you can think of as long as it has some steampunk elements incorporated.

Deadline is August 31st.

The top three contestants will get one of these trophys:

DBoyWheeler · Tue 02/08/2016 22:22:22

Quote from: Blondbraid on Tue 02/08/2016 17:17:47
I chose this theme because most of the steampunk illustrations I've seen have been of items and characters,
and I thought it would be fun to see more explorations of places and environments for a change,
be it the inside of an airship, an inventors laboratory, just a regular room with steampunk machinery,
anything you can think of as long as it has some steampunk elements incorporated.

Does it need to be animated, or can it be a still scene?

Blondbraid · Wed 03/08/2016 15:43:30

It can be animated or a still still scene, as long as it fits the theme!

jwalt · Wed 03/08/2016 19:10:10

Quote from: Blondbraid on Tue 02/08/2016 17:17:47
This BACKGROUND BLITZ will be about steampunk!

Steampunk, for those unfamiliar with the concept, is a blend between science fiction and fantasy with an Victorian aesthetic.

Not anything of mine, and not an entry, but might be inspirational in some fashion

Spoiler

First time I encountered an image of USS Choctaw (Civil War era), it struck me as the essence of steampunk.

[imgzoom]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Uss_choctaw_h55218.jpg/300px-Uss_choctaw_h55218.jpg[/imgzoom]

[close]

DBoyWheeler · Wed 03/08/2016 22:13:59

Quote from: Blondbraid on Wed 03/08/2016 15:43:30
It can be animated or a still still scene, as long as it fits the theme!

Good... well, I visited Google Images to find some ideas for a Steampunk scenario. Dunno about a crap-ton of gears--that'd take FOREVER to do--but I did find some stuff that I hope fits the Steampunk theme. I made some sketches and will work more on the BG when I can.

Blondbraid · Thu 04/08/2016 00:35:32

Quote from: DBoyWheeler on Wed 03/08/2016 22:13:59
Dunno about a crap-ton of gears--that'd take FOREVER to do--but I did find some stuff that I hope fits the Steampunk theme.

Well, steampunk doesn't have to have tons and tons of gears, it's just something that's become very closely associated with the genre.
However, one of the pitfalls to avoid is just adding random gears and brass parts to things with no purpose.
I linked to a funny song I found about this very problem, literally called Just Glue Some Gears On It (And Call It Steampunk)!

Quote from: jwalt on Wed 03/08/2016 19:10:10
Not anything of mine, and not an entry, but might be inspirational in some fashion
Spoiler

First time I encountered an image of USS Choctaw (Civil War era), it struck me as the essence of steampunk.

[imgzoom]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Uss_choctaw_h55218.jpg/300px-Uss_choctaw_h55218.jpg[/imgzoom]

[close]

Great! Civil-war era armored warships and other victorian mechanichal veichles are a good starting point, how nice of you to post an image!

Personally, I'd recommend anyone curious to look up the works of author Jules Verne as well as some illustrations for his books.

DBoyWheeler · Thu 04/08/2016 00:47:44

Well, here's my contest entry. Instead of a crapton of gears, I put in SOMETHING of a Victorian era. Basically, my lameass attempt at Victorian window frame style... and a Victorian style bookcase. For something of a Steampunk decor, I included a woodstove and a really bulked door (I found some inspiration through Google Images).

Anyway, behold how I epic-fail at the Steampunk background genre.

But at least I tried. And sometimes all you can do is try.

jwalt · Thu 04/08/2016 04:39:30

An entry:

[imgzoom]http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o756/jwalt10705/choc1png_zpswu8x6zth.png[/imgzoom]

Should probably keep working on it, but not sure I will.

Anim8or models, and Bryce render.

Grundislav · Thu 04/08/2016 05:39:37

I just so happen to be working on backgrounds currently for a game I'm making which has steampunk elements.

I may post in here when I've finished the one I started on today.

SinSin · Thu 04/08/2016 10:27:28

When is the deadline for this comp?

Danvzare · Thu 04/08/2016 10:27:48

Quote from: Blondbraid on Thu 04/08/2016 00:35:32
I linked to a funny song I found about this very problem, literally called Just Glue Some Gears On It (And Call It Steampunk)!

Ha ha ha, that was a great song, and a funny one as well. It's true about how people think about steampunk as well.

Personally (while I know this is probably flawed) I see steampunk as being a setting with a Victorian aesthetic, but with all of today's modern technology (and perhaps some yet to be invented technology such as robots and spaceships) running on steam and clockwork machinery.

There just isn't enough steampunk in the world.

Blondbraid · Thu 04/08/2016 12:10:33

Quote from: Danvzare on Thu 04/08/2016 10:27:48
Quote from: Blondbraid on Thu 04/08/2016 00:35:32
I linked to a funny song I found about this very problem, literally called Just Glue Some Gears On It (And Call It Steampunk)!
Ha ha ha, that was a great song, and a funny one as well. It's true about how people think about steampunk as well.

Personally (while I know this is probably flawed) I see steampunk as being a setting with a Victorian aesthetic, but with all of today's modern technology (and perhaps some yet to be invented technology such as robots and spaceships) running on steam and clockwork machinery.

There just isn't enough steampunk in the world.

Totally agree on that! It's a shame som much fantasy just fall into the same old medieval-europe tropes when there are so many, many places and time-periods to draw inspiration from.

jwalt, Dboywheeler, you both have som nice entries!
I have been working on making trophy's myself:

A top hat with gold goggles for the winner.

A bowler hat with silver goggles for second place.

And a cap with bronze goggles for third place.

Hats with googles are nearly as an iconic symbol of steampunk as those big gears!

Mandle · Thu 04/08/2016 14:45:01

I read The Difference Engine 20 years ago before I even knew the term steampunk or had seen Laputa and fell in love with both instantly...Something about the aesthetic just grabs me...

Grundislav · Fri 05/08/2016 00:58:18

After you're done jaunting around having steampunk adventures, come down and have a pint, listen to some steam tech powered player piano or any of the live acts appearing nightly at the Crimson Cat.

EDIT: Went back and made it a bit more steampunky

Danvzare · Fri 05/08/2016 10:18:47

Ooh, pretty.
That's a very detailed background. How on earth did you manage to make that within three days!

SinSin · Fri 05/08/2016 11:52:41

Practice Danvzare, Grundislavs been doing it for years.. His making backgrounds is equivalent to anybody else making a sandwich

Anyways, What is the deadline!!

Blondbraid · Fri 05/08/2016 17:56:14

Oh my, that is a beautiful background, Grundislav!

Mandle · Sat 06/08/2016 10:00:33

Quote from: Blondbraid on Fri 05/08/2016 17:56:14
Oh my, that is a beautiful background, Grundislav!

It is!!!

It also has my vote already for playability: Just look at the vertical walkbehind on that door without being obvious about it...

The man knows how to plan a background through pain and effort...

Grok · Tue 09/08/2016 21:59:18

DBoyWheeler · Wed 10/08/2016 11:15:25

Dang, Grok! Where'd you find the inspiration for THAT?!

Blondbraid · Wed 10/08/2016 17:44:36

Nice!
Is it the interior of an airship or the Nautilus?

Grok · Thu 11/08/2016 05:55:27

Quote from: DBoyWheeler on Wed 10/08/2016 11:15:25

Dang, Grok! Where'd you find the inspiration for THAT?!

I lead a rich and complex inner life? (= I'm good at making stuff up)

Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety nine percent perspiration.
Thomas Edison

Quote from: Blondbraid
Is it the interior of an airship or the Nautilus?

Could be either, couldn't it? I didn't have a very specific idea. Working more from a feeling.

Blondbraid · Mon 22/08/2016 18:45:42

Just a quick reminder everyone, less than 10 days remaining until deadline!
While there has been four good entries so far, there is always room for more!
Don't be afraid to give it a try good folks!

Blondbraid · Fri 02/09/2016 16:49:20

We have had four entries here, and now is the time to vote on them!

Here are the contestants:

First entry:

An interior by DBoyWheeler.

Second entry:

A steam ship by jwalt.

Third entry:

The Crimson Cat by Grundislav.

Fourth entry:

A shiny interior by Grok.

Based on the number of votes, contestants will receive these trophys:

A top hat with gold goggles for the winner.

A bowler hat with silver goggles for second place.

And a cap with bronze goggles for third place.

Voting time until Sept 12th.

DBoyWheeler · Fri 02/09/2016 18:04:07

I vote:

1st: Grok
2nd: Grundislav
3rd: Jwalt

Grundislav · Fri 02/09/2016 18:05:21

Are we doing just one vote or concept/playability/artistic execution?

Blondbraid · Fri 02/09/2016 18:53:34

Quote from: Grundislav on Fri 02/09/2016 18:05:21
Are we doing just one vote or concept/playability/artistic execution?

Well, with just four entries I thought it would be simplest with just one vote, on the entry which you like best, but feel free to add a comment on why you picked that entry if you like.
I kind of forgot to specify that.

Grundislav · Fri 02/09/2016 19:47:50

1st. Grok
2nd. jwalt
3rd. DBoyWheeler

Gurok · Sat 03/09/2016 03:03:07

1st: jwalt
2nd: Grok
3rd: DBoyWheeler

Danvzare · Sat 03/09/2016 10:53:13

1st: Grundislav
2nd: Grok
3rd: jwalt

VampireWombat · Sun 04/09/2016 14:06:26

1st: Grundislav
2nd: Grok
3rd: jwalt

Cassiebsg · Sun 04/09/2016 15:29:02

1st: jwalt
2nd: Grundislav
3rd: Grok

Grok · Sun 04/09/2016 15:48:00

1: Grundislav
2: DBoyWheeler
3: jwalt

jwalt · Sun 04/09/2016 17:49:59

1st: Grundislav
2nd: Grok
3rd: DBoyWheeler

Hard to decide between Grundislav and Grok. Think any of these three would work well as backgrounds: tons of stuff to click on.

Babar · Sun 04/09/2016 18:47:11

1st: jwalt
2nd: Grok
3rd: DBoyWheeler

Yitcomics · Sun 04/09/2016 21:27:25

1st: Grundislav
2nd: Grok
3rd: DBoyWheeler

Blondbraid · Wed 14/09/2016 18:15:24

Ok, voting is over and I have, to the best of my ability, counted the votes, and I must say that the results were rather even.

Results:

First place comes to Grok.

Second place goes to Grundislav.

And the third place goes to jwalt.

And a participation trophy goes to DBoyWheeler.

I thank everybody for your votes and participation and hope you are satisfied with the results.

Danvzare · Thu 15/09/2016 10:57:58

Congratulations Grok on winning first place.

Also congratz to the rest of you.

DBoyWheeler · Fri 16/09/2016 00:10:55

Congrats to the winners.

And hey, at least I got something.

Grok · Fri 16/09/2016 06:08:13

Thanks

I will return shortly with a new mission for you all, should you chose to accept it...