Messages

Perhaps there should be a backup winner in case the winner doesn't create a new thread within a day or two.

What am I talking about? That would never happen.

You should be able to cut the color count in half without really losing any of the detail or personality.

I think you may have missed the point of my edit, Mats. I know that you didn't intend for there to be a duck in the open garbage can, and that the alley opens up to nothing, rather than to an actual street. While you're at it, you could probably argue that the blobs I drew for posters look nothing like the ones you meticulously detailed. Even my less frontal angle or lighting isn't that important.

By drawing a quick background for you, I wasn't trying to make something complete, usable in your game, or even to imitate your style. I was trying to give you an idea of a dynamic composition. Something to give the illusion of depth and guide the player's eye to the important areas.

Adding more details won't improve your background. You have to look at the way you have positioned your shapes. Your background looks flat partly because almost none of the shapes overlap each other (with the exception of the flowers in the windowboxes and the edge of one of your logs).  Everything seems placed, which is a bad thing when you're trying to depict a mess. Try to imagine a little more chaos. If you walked into a real alleyway, I doubt you would find all the trash cans lined up exactly. And if you saw a wall with posters on it, I doubt they would be lined up either.

Also, the cans and bottles are a bit disconcerting. They seem to stay the same size regardless of how close they are to the camera. That doesn't jive with the perspective that has been applied to other objects in this background.

Don't worry about me ripping off your background. I think that's the least of your worries.

Ok, I can give you a few examples.

http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/indiana-jones-and-the-fate-of-atlantis/screenshots/gameShotId,2359/

Notice how the artists use lighting to make the door the main focus of the room. The light fades out by the left edge. The crates frame the picture with their overlapping shapes. They could have drawn them all in a row, but they look far more interesting the way they drew them in this picture, don't you think?

http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/indiana-jones-and-the-fate-of-atlantis/screenshots/gameShotId,2357/

In this second shot, the two most important objects are the door and the fridge. Notice how your eye is almost naturally lead to these areas because of the difference in color saturation and value.

In your background, perhaps you could tone down the colors of the unimportant objects, like the flowers and plants. They tend to draw the player's eyes away from any more important locations.

EDIT:
I took 15 minutes and drew up an idea for a different composition.



Notice how the focus is on the open garbage can? Also, look at all the shapes that overlap one another. I hope this helps.

The composition seems very static. There is almost no overlap between items, and it almost looks like two rows of aligned objects (the posters and the trashcans). Also, if you made the cans darker, they might seem more like a foreground and frame your picture more.

A good background provides the player with space to rest the eyes as well as clues to what she should be looking at. When I look at this background, nothing seems spotlighted. It's almost like every element is fighting for my attention equally.

Wow, I really like this piece.
Your lines are very whimsical and playful. I think the coloring is strong, but I think the stand is a little too dark. I think the sign needs to be moved down a little more, so the edge of the counter overlaps it. Right now it almost seems like it's floating in the air above the counter.
Also, you might want to think about balancing your composition. As it is, the backgorund is almost divided down the middle, light on the left and dark on the right. Perhaps you could add something darker on the left side to compensate.

It's a clean piece. I would suggest lowering the color count (it looks like you have a few unecessary shades). Also, his right arm looks a bit lumpy, like a baguette that's been folded in half. The black outline works for me, although it gets a little heavy around the inside of his legs.

This work demonstrates very little dynamic animation. As far as I can tell, you've animated expressions, a novelty wipe (the ashes don't really fall, they're just converted), and some awkward arm movements. It even looks like you've lost the pixel aspect ratio.

If you notice in real life (and even cartoons) a person (or character) will rarely move just one part of their body. Most movements involve our entire bodies.

I'm not sure how many people will get that reference to the old Sierra save/load GUI icons. I think they disrupt the old Western feel. Kill your babies, I say. Or was that Mark Twain?

I appreciate your edit, loominous. I can see how the original looks a bit flat (especially the truck). Maybe some pixeling on the windshield could help a bit.

Yeah, I guess it did turn out to be Terry Bogart. He represents the American team in the Fatal Fury games and the King of Fighters series.

And the truck, of course, is a Chevrolet. 

I like the new GUI's look, but I think using CDs for the save and load icons is a bit anachronistic. Perhaps you could just leave the signposts that say save or load, or turn the CD into a western poster or something.

A coaster is a small cardboard bit (usually circular) that you can put your drink on.

As for a modern cash register, look here:
http://www.scanningla.com/Casio-QT5000.htm
I think club owners found it was a bit too tempting to leave the till on the bar itself, especially during busy nights when the bartender is running back and forth.

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.

I would recommend changing the cash register on the bar counter, as it looks out-dated. Modern clubs tend to have a touch screen register behind the bar (facing the customers). I would put coasters on the counter, more backlit bottles behind the bar, some neon signs, and a few posters on the wall (advertising liquor or music).

You might try heightening the contrast in your sprites to make them fit better with your background. Your sprite looks to have 3 skin tones, but with the background behind, it muddles them. Maybe try differentiating your values more for each shade.

I really liked the colors in your original, very retro. Perhaps I got a bit carried away with my "paintover". Just one possible direction you could take your sprite in.
(12 colors)

[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.

[4th place â€" Darth Mandarb]

The Jam is over!

Wow, I did not expect this many quality entries. As a result, I will announce the runner-ups in addition to the winner (although all the decisions will be tough).

4th place â€" Darth Mandarb
   Conan was an excellent subject, I just would've liked to see him in a more dynamic, kingly pose.

3rd place â€" Progzmax
   I really liked this piece, as it definitely showcased your talent. I like the vibrant colors you used and the simple shading on the sprite itself. Technically, I think this sprite was the best drawn one in the Jam. I could definitely tell he was a warrior, but there weren't any clues to his leadership (something necessary when you're inventing a character from the future). A crown, scepter, military badges, or even a distant army would've helped me as a viewer.

2nd place â€" SpacePirateCaine
   I'm a big fan of Blackbeard lore, and it was good to see your attention to detail (the pistols and the fuses in his hair). I definitely think you should've pushed his intimidation factor a little farther (added more fuses, fire, plume, cutlass), because he looks a little like a Confederate soldier from the American Civil War.

1st place â€" Ali
   Although I'm not usually a fan of cartoon sprites, yours was an excellent caricature of the Roman general. Very usable as a sprite, it also conveys a pompous overconfidence fitting of Marc Anthony. As far as crits go, it would have been nice include Cleopatra in your picture, making him look more like a show-off. Also, I would like to see his stomach look less like a loaf of bread.

Congratulations to all the entrants for making this a great Jam!

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.