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Chronicle #1.5 - Graphics

 
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Arwym
FooBAM! Games (Formerly PF Games)




Joined: 13 Sep 2008
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Location: Puerto Rico

PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:52 am    Post subject: Chronicle #1.5 - Graphics Reply with quote

I use "Chronicle #1.5" simply because this is not what I promised for Chronicle #2. This is just an update to inform that I am already getting very familiar with the engine and scripting language, but especially with the graphics and mapping features.



First of all, the screenshot above has nothing to do with the game itself. This is just a random map I am using to test the custom 'maptiles' that I've been drawing since yesterday. I am focusing on outdoors for now. Grass, plants, trees, bushes, cliffs, etc. There is also a basic walkabout that I am still working on. There is a possibility that the characters' walkabouts will be based on this one. I know that the graphics look pretty 'basic', and not too good; but this is my first shot at drawing tilesets/maptiles (not at spriting, though). By the way, I'm still trying to find a palette and texture for stones and rocks that I am happy with.
I plan to animate things such as grass, flowers, flames, water, and other things in the environment that are not necessarily static in the real world. Animating them gives the impression of a living world, and that is neat. Happy It shouldn't be too hard.
I'm happy to say that I am going to add a lot of variety to my maps. Since this is just my first attempt, I know that the end result will be something I can feel proud of.

That's all for now. I am still trying to decide on other aspects of the game, such as music.

Feedback is welcome, as long as it is constructive. Happy


Last edited by Arwym on Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:45 am; edited 1 time in total
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The Wobbler




Joined: 06 Feb 2003
Posts: 2221

PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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Moogle1
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks very nice, though it's a bit on the dark side. If not for the flowers, I'd wonder if it were a nighttime shot.
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Arwym
FooBAM! Games (Formerly PF Games)




Joined: 13 Sep 2008
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yup, it's a little too dark. I am still working on the grass, and different tones of earth, sand, etc. As you can see, there are a couple of grass tiles that have slightly different colors. I am working on dark and light grass tiles. And the grass itself, I agree in that it doesn't look very realistic. I'll keep working on them. Since this was my first attempt, after all. ^_^

Thank you for the feedback!

Edit: By the way, what do you think of the walkabout's overall look (proportions, for example)? Obviously, it can't look realistically proportioned, and I can't use that many different colors (about 3 for hair, 3 for skin, 6 for clothes, and 4 for other details, such as shoes), but if you think that something can be improved (other than the bad shading there), please let me know what you think.

Also, I edited the first post with some more information. Happy
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JSH357




Joined: 02 Feb 2003
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like the walkabout a lot. There aren't too many OHR games that use a similar style (none I can think of really). You could probably make him look a little more unique if he's a main character, but for a generic-looking person it's really nice. Whatever you do, keep the style consistent.
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Arwym
FooBAM! Games (Formerly PF Games)




Joined: 13 Sep 2008
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks! I am glad to hear that. Happy I'll try making a sprite of the main character soon.



I am still trying to make the grass look well. Of course, there's still some work to be done there, but I'd like your opinion on the colors of the lighter grass, and how grid-like it looks now. I know it's not so obvious now, but maybe I should do some more?

By the way, those are not final. I think I might redraw the grass tiles again later, after I try making the tree tiles, among other things.
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Moogle1
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Much better. Still some slight griddiness. The dirt could use some brightening, too -- soil is only that dark when it's wet or peat.

Now that I notice it, why is the grass-in-the-dirt brighter on the left than on the right? It's that way in the original, too. I like the one on the right better.
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Arwym
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Yup, it's a little too dark. I am still working on the grass, and different tones of earth, sand, etc. As you can see, there are a couple of grass tiles that have slightly different colors. I am working on dark and light grass tiles. And the grass itself, I agree in that it doesn't look very realistic. I'll keep working on them. Since this was my first attempt, after all. ^_^


There's the answer for the two comments. Happy Basically, I am going to make many different types of "dirt" -soil, sand, etc.-; as well as different kinds and colors of flowers, plants, trees, and so on. Different shapes of rocks... in a nutshell, I want to make my tilesets/maptiles varied, since I'll probably use them in more than one project.

The map is used for testing different tiles, and that's why the grass on the left is darker than the grass on the right, and the grass on the dirt to the left is lighter than the one on the right. I am comparing them.
I think that different grass colors and types will be useful for different locations and moods. On dark games (or just dark places), the grass on the left is more suitable, for example.

I'll try to fix the grass tiles some more. Thank you~! Happy
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Newbie_Power




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PostPosted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I prefer the dark tiles, because your hero shows up much better on them.

The solution I would make to brighten your tiles while making your hero show up is to simplify the detail in your grass. Grass really doesn't need to have that many shades anyway, and it is actually better that it's less detailed, both because it helps foreground objects stand out more, and because you can represent multiple blades of grass with chunks of colors.
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Onlyoneinall
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I too, prefer the darker tiles. All the tiles look great, the only thing that is a bit ambigious and awkward are the rocks, which could use some sprucing up. Other than that, I have no complaints. Happy
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Arwym
FooBAM! Games (Formerly PF Games)




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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 2:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hm... What if I find an medium, like, something between too dark and too light? Would that be better?

Either way, yeah. I still haven't worked on the rocks enough, like I mentioned. I was thinking about re-drawing the grass tiles later, but maybe I should do it now. I'll try that as soon as I get some time. Happy

Thanks!
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Moogle1
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can't please everyone. Go with what you think looks best.
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LeRoy_Leo
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think it looks good so far. I agree that the walkabout for the hero is excellent. Very reminiscent of the old school RPGs. It reminds me of Mother, actually.
I am anticipating some in battle graphics next. Wink wink.
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msw188




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PostPosted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 11:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't know jack about gaphics, but I can tell you that as an untrained pair of eyes, I would go for a middle ground between your two grass tiles. Not to please any of the others, that's just what I happen to think might look best.
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Arwym
FooBAM! Games (Formerly PF Games)




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PostPosted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 3:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for your opinion. Happy

I value all opinions. After all, it's not just what I think is right. And I agree with most comments in this post.

I am focusing on getting the walkabout's base finished before going back to the maptiles. And I might pause for a couple of days, while I catch up with work for SilverQuest, the other project.

Again, thanks for all the support. Big grin
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