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When it comes to the amateur game making community, you can not let first impressions get in your way, especially when it comes to graphics. If you do so, you WILL miss out.

Good point! Haven't thought about it like that.

Worrying about such things like "Will others like this?" is not what amateur game making is about, at least for me. It's about having a vision, creating it, and sharing it. You can't please everyone, so why try? Make what you enjoy making, please yourself, and be damned everyone else.

I guess you are right.

Vince Twelve: Yeah, I guess you are right... Sorry, everybody! I can see that my first post was indeed not a very pleasant one. I should have found better words. All I can say is that I honestly didn't mean to offend anyone.

The particular game which sort of pushed me away a little, because it had a difficult GUI (imho) and not too appealing graphics was 5 DAYS A STRANGER. I can see that it is a highly praised game. Moreover, as I am playing it, I do find myself liking it a lot, but my first impression was different... I am not sure what bothers me in this, relative to my own desire to make a good game. Will people who are not already interested in adventure genre play this kind of game? Or will they think it's crap because of amateur graphics? Probably that bothers me. Is it possible to make an interesting, good looking game if you are an amateur enthusiast?

ProgZmax: I am impressed by Apprentice. The reason for my initial post was, as I said earlier, my own desire to make a game that would look okay and I was wondering if it's possible. Now I see that it is and thanks to that great list, I am opening a new and exciting world of wonderful games.

Alynn, your post is interesting. Nevertheless, I feel that many people have way overreacted to what I said and started telling me they're sorry for me. Oh my.

So I guess what I'm saying is... if you need gorgeous graphics to enjoy a game, then I feel sorry for you, because graphics aren't everything.

Never said that. I don't think graphics are everything. I myself like text adventures and stuff. However, simply saying that graphics aren't everything is a little tricky. It's like saying that the appearance of a person is not that important as his charming personality. Yet, when you see an untidy person, who smells sweat, I don't think your first impression would be positive. I know older people who are used to non-graphical games think that graphics are a 'mainstream' stupid thing. This is very arguable though. What's most arguable is that method of comparing different genres, which are actually incomparable. It's like comparing a bird and a table.

And if it's not too much trouble, please don't write that "I am sorry for you" stuff. I don't think my initial post was offensive and never in that post have I said that graphics are everything. And generally, I am satisfied with what we discuss, since to me it gives exactly what I asked for - an insight on the graphics aspect from the point of view of game creators.

Creating a "Team" is more difficult than you think, especially in a large scale project.

How do you know what I think? I never said anything about things being easy.

Sorry, if I am a little overreacting myself now, but I'm just a little bit tired of people telling me things I never said.

Yeah, it's difficult. Especially over the Internet. It is much easier though when people can meet in real life. Alynn, do you guys meet in real life or is your project over the Internet?

yes, but generally what jet said is true. Generally.

I tried to played every release, but now I only play the good ones. I spot them by looking at graphics. If the graphics are good, then the maker cares more about the game and puts in extra effort, methink.

I agree with that point of view!

yup, the graphics are sort of styled there. close to minimalistic. but they do look cute, don't they? 

playing apprentice now... This rocks!!! And the drawings are so nice!!! I'm impressed! 

Thanks! Great list! I'll start checking it right away!

Well, I think that the situation with graphics has two sides.

From one point of view, like many guys here said, what's important for the game creator is not really the result, but the fun of making the game. Many people know they don't have graphical talents and they are not making any problems of it.

On the other hand, if you have a nice game in mind, if you have a nice engine like AGS with which you can easily programm it, you think - if I don't find a good artist for my game, not many people will play it. Want it or not, but the visual part of the game plays a big role and if you and me can appreciate a game even though it is not professionally drawn and stuff, most people out there will not.


I personally agree with both points. It all comes down to how you position yourself and what you want.
But I can also tell you that I've seen examples of good amateur games, games that successfully appeal to a large audience. A good example, apart from the abovementioned Alien Software, is a game called Within A Deep Forest, which you can get here: http://withinadeepforest.ni2.se/
The reason I show you this game is this - a person who made it cared to create a team where everyone did what they could do best - graphics, music, puzzles.
So creating an amateur game and having good graphics in them is possible in question. (when I speak of graphics, I don't mean resolution, I mean the quality of drawings themselves)

As some replies were sort of offensive, I'd like to highlight that I'm not complaining. I just voiced my opinion and I did it politely. Don't be so touchy. And keep in mind that without raising delicate questions, things will never develop.

Wow! So many replies.

No, guys, I did not mean to be offensive or whatever, I just asked you to discuss this with me, to share opinions and stuff. I am also am amateur game creator and I love old games and just having fun and I don't play much 3D shooters and I am not too young. (answered everything, I guess)

As for my complaining about graphics, it's more about myself. I am now planning a game and I myself want some nice graphics. I know I am an amateur, but I want my project to be really a pleasure to play.

Also, because I played Broken Sword, but never really played earlier games, my opinion may be helpful to everybody, since it is an opinion of a person who may decide to explore adventures and see if he likes that. Making a more understandable GUI is a lot!

However, I will give Apprentice another shot, of course! And I want to play the famous Space Quest as well.

Anyway, how do you guys go about drawing? I read the drawing tutorials here, of course, but anyway.

ps: oh, also that. Have you ever played that game from Alien Software - Koplio's Story? They were also amateur, but their games were so much fun!

http://www.dyson.co.uk/game/playgame.asp?sinavtype=menu

 I've noticed that one thing that makes a game look amateur are graphics. And not exactly their video output quality, but I mean the drawings themselves. I've downloaded many awarded games from this very site and it is very difficult to play them seriously when most of them have such amateur drawings. I do not wish to offend anyone, many games have great plots and stuff, but drawings are too simple.
I understand that finding a good artist is difficult. Even more difficult is to interest him with work, - drawing those scenes is a lot of labour. Guys at Revolution Software have spent 2 years on Broken Sword.
Anyway, what do you think?

ps: speaking of the above mentioned Broken Sword, I would like to add that a difficult GUI pushed me away from such great looking games like Apprentice and King's Quest. When you have to first look at the object, then try to pick it up, then try to use it, then try to walk to it - it is really too much guess work and it is boring. The Broken Sword system is simplier for the player, in my opinion.