Castle Paradox

[Pumpkinbot]

I'm making a game called Exo, and I'm starting on the hero graphics. I've done some pixel art, like my avatar (an edited Megaman sprite) but nothing like this from scratch. Here is Oliver, the starting character.

Now, I know I'm not very good, but I know I can get better. I just need tips on how I can make this better.

[Moogle1]

Reduce the number of shades you're using. You're overshading and it doesn't show up very well. Instead, focus on form. He has no shoulders and a peg leg. Also, the design is boring. Reducing the number of shades of everything will open up palette slots for new colors, which this guy really needs.

This isn't bad for a first attempt, but you're making lots of classical errors. Keep at it.

(edit) also, editing mega man sprites is a poor substitute for practicing your own ;)
_________________

Slime Salad :: Independent Game Design

[Spoon Weaver]

I think it's great.

My advise for making him better would be to fatten him up. No one likes a skinny kid ( also thicker characters pixelate better, the peg leg Mog mentioned would be a symptom of this ) Also He needs more of a face, and perhaps less yellow skin, unless its some sort of story plot that the people in your world are faceless yellow people. If so never mind.
Lastly, what mog said about the shading, it basically confuses me when I look at his jacket. The over shading and randomization of shading leads one to think that theres objects there that aren't. ( like perhaps 3 or four pockets on the jacket? seriously is there suppose to be pockets? )

[TwinHamster]

I think your form and color-numbers are fine.
However, you should make a bit more use of contrast to make the similar colors more identifiable.



That extra left shoulder was a little strange.

[Moogle1]

[Pumpkinbot]

X) Thanks, guys. I'll edit him a little bit.

[Newbie_Power]

Cut down on the dithering. Dithering doesn't work very well for small sprites (in fact, I'm learning from recent mistakes that dithering doesn't work for a lot of things. )

When shading based on light source, keep in mind that the same shade will cast over flatter surfaces such as the shirt or face. Think of a shading of a cube in 3D, where you don't see a gradation on the side, just another flat shade. The darker shade won't come until after it starts curving towards the other side (which would be around the edge towards the arm).
_________________

TheGiz> Am I the only one who likes to imagine that Elijah Wood's character in Back to the Future 2, the kid at the Wild Gunman machine in the Cafe 80's, is some future descendant of the AVGN?

[Pumpkinbot]

[Spoon Weaver]

I suggest changing the color of the horizontal crease lines to a color other then the outline lines of the jacket.

[Newbie_Power]

[Pumpkinbot]

[Newbie_Power]

I'm not talking about the arms. I'm talking about the torso area.

Only (our) left edge of the torso would be darker as it curves towards the farther side (and even then, don't overdo such curve as it's very small), not the whole side of the shirt that's divided by the line in the middle.
_________________

TheGiz> Am I the only one who likes to imagine that Elijah Wood's character in Back to the Future 2, the kid at the Wild Gunman machine in the Cafe 80's, is some future descendant of the AVGN?

[Pumpkinbot]

[Spoon Weaver]

I suggest something like this.



though the color count and palette might be off.

[TwinHamster]