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Hey guys,

I wanted to let everyone that my new game is now available on the App Store. It's my first iOS game in the sense I didn't work with anyone else's license and made all of the art. Check it out!


http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rivers-rails/id463399129?mt=8

Choose a side for the epic battle raging in the new game, “Rivers & Rails,” now available on the App Store. Will you pick man or nature?

“Rivers & Rails” is a strategic, turn-based game by TrikeSoft LLC. Play as the dastardly Railroad Baron or the noble River Queen. Outwit your opponent and connect cities or seas to reign victorious! Defeating a well-matched opponent will require every ounce of your cunning. It only takes a minute to learn, but a lifetime to master.

“Rivers & Rails” features three different map sizes and Game Center support so players can challenge their friends online on any iOS device. The adjustable difficulty level helps ease anyone into the game play and provides more challenging matches for those who are strategic masterminds. Humorous characters and numerous achievements add to the fun and excitement.

Hi all,

I was thinking of an adventure game I played about 6 years ago (although it came out around the same time as Full Throttle did). It featured a hard-boiled private eye who narrated the story in a deadpan style characteristic of film noir. The game itself was first person and revolved around visiting places at the specific times (I don't remember being able to explore much, though you did have a few instances where you could find clues). The game had several endings. In your office, you could take a drink from the bottle in the desk drawer, and the detective narrator would recap the case (sometimes leading to a revelation).

Also, it was not FMV.

Any idea what game I'm talking about?

Hey guys, I don't want to make a big deal out of this, but just want to keep you all up to date. Due to an unresolved dispute, I will be leaving the Critic's Lounge section. I don't want to go into the details, but it's messy and the word "abrasive" was thrown around like an unwanted baby.

I will still be making games, so no worries. I probably will continue to post in a few of the other sections, too. So it's not like I'm peacing on you guys.

This situation could be temporary, and I may return if some changes are made.
Until then, if anyone wants specific crits or advice, post in here: http://herculeaneffort.com/yabb/index.php?board=6.0
and I'll be more than happy to help you out to the best of my ability. As a professional game developer, I can offer a different perspective, so it's in your favor.

Let me just emphasize that this is an informational thread. I'm not throwing a tantrum or to quote DGMacphee, kicking the cat (cracks me up), but rather just letting people know where to go if they want a crit from me. Let's keep this light.

[The Well-Dressed Villain]

This week's topic:

The Well-Dressed Villain

It may sound cliche, but there are many possibilities. Here are a few examples of totally different executions of this theme:

Snidely Whiplash!


The Kingpin!


Kain!


Vice!


Random bulldog on the internet!


Basically, be as creative as you want.

Restrictions
Max Size: 125x175
Max Colors: 32

[EDIT:]

Hey guys,

I'm posting here to get some feedback. This mockup screenshot is from the massive AGS collaboration project (named Sphinx, for now).

Basically, I'm designing a style that looks unique and artistic, while being relatively simple to reproduce (since several artists of varying skill levels will be doing the backgrounds, so consistency is clutch).Ã, 

For more info on the project, check these forums: http://agsproject.proboards76.com/index.cgi

I'm looking for crits on:
A. The overall style
B. The sprite (design or execution)
C. Any part of the GUI
D. The background (this advice won't be as useful, since this bg might end up as a placeholder)



EDIT: See last post for update

[A TRAVELER!]

I'd like to welcome everyone to this thread. Gentlemen...and the la-dy. Oh, you too, I didn't forget you. My, your eyeshadow sure makes that dress look pretty! In case no one reads the titles, this is a weekly character drawing competition, where the winner takes all. And by all, I mean the winner takes my job as host for next week.

Don't all pee your pants at once.

Since my creative well is frozen over, I decided to go with the first topic that stopped by my head for a cup of tea and some hardtack. And since this idea coincides with the holiday spirit, may I introduce:

A TRAVELER!

Should you enter, you must pixel a character who is a traveler. Any time period is welcome, so shovel some coal in your imagination! Here are some ideas to spark that fire:

Things a traveler might have
Snowshoes
Mukluks
Hiking boots
Boots with fur trim
Uggs
Pancho
Safari hat
Extra cell phone battery
Backpack
Icepick
Climbing gear
Water purifying tablets
Dutch oven
Sunglasses
Sunblock lotion
Condom
Baked beans (canned)
Mosquito spray
Mutant repellent
Foreign phrasebook (pocket-sized)
Traveler's cheques (duh!)
Garlic and a wooden stake
Swiss Army knife
A sidekick

Things a traveler wouldn't have
A tutu
Chinese porcelain tea set (with blue flowers)
Self-respect

Restrictions
Max size: 128x128
Max colors: 32
Max bribe: $1,000 (cash, please. I want to keep this below the IRS's radar)

Get to work, people!

[A WINNER]

Since the past few jams featured very specific topics, I thought I'd leave this one more open-ended. The topic is... (tears open envelope)


A WINNER


Interpret this word how you want. You can take the oportunity to be facetious and depict Leisure Suit Larry for example. I will determine the victor of this contest by (a) creativity and (b) technique.

Limitations:

Max Size: 125x125
Max Colors: 24

Go crazy!Ã, 

I stumbled across this mod for a sidescrolling fighter named "Beats of Rage."

I'll let the pictures do the talking.

http://teaminsanity.wildeaglerecords.com/dottmod/screens.htm

[Draw a musician sprite!]

My apologies for not posting this thread sooner (my thinking cap had a flat tire).

The contest of this week is:

Draw a musician sprite

!

Your sprite must depict a musician playing or holding an instrument. You could choose a famous musician, like Boner from Yoo-Too holding a microphone, or you could invent one, like Gigatron, the android with two souls who plays the toms on the dried skulls of his enemies. I just made the last one up, so please don't steal it (I may have other plans for it).Ã, 

Also, I will frown upon any entry that takes liberties with the word "instrument." I am referring to music, so don't draw a scalpel or anything else that would stretch the rules.

At maximum, the sprites can be 100x100 with 32 colors.

[Armed to the Teeth]

Hey cats and kittens! Sorry to leave you waiting for a whole day without a Sprite Jam to enter! I feel so guilty about it that I'm practically crying. That's the truth. And if you don't think so, PM me and I'll mail you the soggy tissues. Isn't that just vile, folks?

Without any more chatter, I am proud to present the latest Jam:

Armed to the Teeth

As dutiful AGSers, it is your job to pixel me sprites of entities (like space captains, intelligent alien asparagus, or detective dogs. Those kinds of entities) that are carrying one or more weapons! Keep the images no larger than 120x120 and no more than 32 colors for your masterpieces.

Version for those that dislike words
Draw:
- A living thing
- weapon(s) included
- 120x120 max size
- 32 colors max

After the week is through, I will say something nice and something bad about every piece! That should be incentive enough to enter this contest!Ã,  Until then, I'm off!
(Ian climbs into his hover-limo and heads towards the Kickstand)

I may have found a design flaw in Freelance Police.

(SPOILER WARNING)

I solved a bunch of puzzles in the beginning, went through the Tunnel of Love, and got the crowbar from the moleman. However, I avoided riding the Cone of Tragedy. I broke into Trixie's trailer and found the Gator Golf clue. I visited Gator Golf, where Bumpus uses Max as a golf ball.

Here's the catch:
Max is trapped inside the dunking booth. To free him, I need to the bucket of fish (to align the alligators into a bridge) from the World of Fish. To visit the World of Fish, I need the fish magnet from the lost and found tent at the carnival. To get that magnet, I need to have lost my inventory on the Cone of Tragedy. And (due to lazy animators, I think), Sam refuses to ride the Cone without Max. As a result, I can wander around and never win.

Looks like a mistake on the part of the designers (or testers). Oops.

Since the Pixelerate and Pixel Academy forums seem to have been down for a few weeks, I'll just post here.

The concept: Video Game Americana
The title: Derelict
The photo reference: http://www.bobbittville.com/ChevyTruck-1937HowardGhent.jpg
20 colors, 2x zoom


Being a larger piece, it took me a few hours to complete. I'm not totally happy with the rust or the grill, but I tried to conserve the color count.

[How adventure games are better than sex:]

How adventure games are better than sex:
You can fit more items into your “inventory”.
There are more hotspots.
Fedoras and bullwhips are seen as nostalgic.
You get funny responses when you try stupid things (“I'm not putting my lips on that”).
Subtitles can replace the voice in case relatives are staying over.
You can adjust the speed of the gameplay.
Sometimes you can switch characters.
Some of them have a point system, instantly letting you know how well you're doing.
The background music follows the action (iMUSE, anyone?).
No one will arrest you for playing in public.
A headache won't prevent you from playing.
You can stay up all night to beat it (heh).
You can finish even if you're drunk.
They can be played anytime of the month.
You can keep the walkcycle speed constant.
Women don't care about the size of your “player character”.
It's ok to laugh when you're playing.
The game won't fake an ending animation.
It doesn't matter how long it takes you to win.

How the two are similar:
If you do something right, you can take a break and watch a cutscene.
Some puzzles involve timing.
Pixel hunting can be frustrating.
They both get better with time.
Either one can give you a virus.

How adventure games are worse than sex:
Adventure games have a lower replay value.
There are only 4 or 8 angles.
Some people will call you a loser for playing.

Hi guys,

I know I seldom start threads here, but inspiration struck me tonight. Yes, the sudden urge to make a Gabriel Knight fan sprite hit me! After I crawled to my feet, I drew up a little something in the GIMP. Let me know what you think.

60x100 (2x zoom)
10 colors (not counting background)




I tried to capture the mood of Sins of the Father in this pixel piece.

[Fearless Leader]

After much deliberation (about 5 minutes of my snack time), I decided on a topic for this next JAM.

Fearless Leader

I want to see renditions of a military genius (or moron, you decide) who lived in the past or will live in the future (or alternate futures, you decide). The astute reader will notice that I do not want to see sprites of present leaders. If you submit a present leader, I will censure you. Believe me, that it hurts a lot.

My guidelines require you to draw aforementioned sprite with a maximum size of 150 by 150 pixels. You can use up to 40 colors.

I am looking for (and will laud) creative choice of subject, superior technical execution (if that term isn't puffery, I don't know what is), and the viability of the sprite in an actual adventure game.

In summary, your entry must be:
- Military leader, past or future
- no larger than 150x150 pixels (sorry for any confusion)
- 40 colors (or fewer)
- Totally sweet


Good luck and happy spriting!

[*Your favorite Greek/Norse god/goddess in sprite form*]

The rules for this week are:
*Your favorite Greek/Norse god/goddess in sprite form*

Anyone from Loki to Athena is eligible. I would like to see a style that would be usable in an AGS game, so keep that in mind.

For inspiration, here are several random sprites taken from Capcom's "King of Dragons", shown at double size.


Limitations:
Size: 75x75 pixels
Color: 25

[Main Characters From Famous AGS Games!]

It's been a while since I've hosted one of these competitions, so forgive me if the topic is uncool (hopefully not). And the topic in question is:

Main Characters From Famous AGS Games

!

Description:
Here's the assignment. You must draw the main character from an AGS game in a different style. For example, you could draw Larry Vales in a Indiana Jones FOA style, or Jake McUrk in a quirky Day of the Tentacle style. It can be any main character, as long as he/she starred in a game made with AGS.

Restrictions:
Size: No limits here, but please keep it practical. I want to see sprites that would potentially work in a game, not a 640x480 piece of digital art.
Colors: To enforce to sprite aspect of this assignment, you are limited to 35 colors.

Hi guys,

I was looking for Neo Geo sprite sheets and I came across this.

http://www.gsarchives.net/index2.php?category=all&system=pc&letter=all

There are a few sprite rips from FOA and MI2 on this page.

Enjoy.

[Draw a futuristic cop!]

Ok, so the other day, I was running from the police, and I had a thought. What do you think the police force will look like in 20 years? 100 years?

Will they ride speeder bikes like SW stormtroopers or will they ride Keystone Kops bicycles? Will they wear armor like Robocop's or like the primates wore in Planet of the Apes? Will they be the officers of a highly trained facist society or a rag-tag post-apocalyptic group?

The name of the game is: Draw a futuristic cop!

Try to be as creative as possible!

Restrictions:

Colors: max 64
Size: Any

Good luck and have fun!

Yo, dudes!

Found this neat tutorial about colorizing. Amazing stuff!
http://www.sijun.com/dhabih/gallery/howto/

Since I was still curious after reading it, I decided to try it out. Here's my result:



It took me several hours to draw this from scratch (unfortunately, I don't have a scanner up here, so I had to freehand the outline).

This method would probably be pretty good for backgrounds...