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Chit-Chat / Re: What Have You Been Playing Lately?
« on: April 19, 2013, 04:22:30 pm »
Beat Tomb Raider a while ago. I really enjoyed it, but not quite willing to work through and get 100% on everything.
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Game Art / Re: Non-Pixel Art Thread
« on: April 02, 2013, 08:32:58 pm »
^ That is sexy. Wish I was here sooner to comment.
^ Here's a little something I doodled up yesterday or so. Haven't drawn in a while but I'm getting back into a creative groove after grueling schoolwork/other activities for the past few months.
^ Here's a little something I doodled up yesterday or so. Haven't drawn in a while but I'm getting back into a creative groove after grueling schoolwork/other activities for the past few months.
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Chit-Chat / Re: What Have You Been Playing Lately?
« on: January 13, 2013, 04:18:17 pm »
Been into many games lately:
-Don't Starve
-Thomas Was Alone
-Castle Crashers (With a buddy of mine, of course. Having loads of fun!)
Don't Starve is a really great game once you make a science machine and explore more options/figure out how to make things.
Thomas Was Alone is a great platformer that deserves all the praise it gets. While it can fall into the danger of being labeled as pretentious, it's genuine and charming enough on its own.
-Don't Starve
-Thomas Was Alone
-Castle Crashers (With a buddy of mine, of course. Having loads of fun!)
Don't Starve is a really great game once you make a science machine and explore more options/figure out how to make things.
Thomas Was Alone is a great platformer that deserves all the praise it gets. While it can fall into the danger of being labeled as pretentious, it's genuine and charming enough on its own.
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Chit-Chat / Re: Xbox 360 VS PS3
« on: January 13, 2013, 04:01:42 pm »
This thread has run its course. It was, and will remain a juvenile 'debate' in any case. In the future, let's leave these kinds of topics alone as they encourage nothing but bickering.
If you want to continue this, please do so through PM.
Live and let be, folks.
Locking this topic.
If you want to continue this, please do so through PM.
Live and let be, folks.
Locking this topic.
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Chit-Chat / Re: Xbox 360 VS PS3
« on: January 12, 2013, 11:42:51 am »
Pffffffft. Mainstream consoles. Laaaame.
Ouya all the way.
#ouyaisbest #indieprick #i'mcool
Ouya all the way.
#ouyaisbest #indieprick #i'mcool
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Game Art / Re: Pixel Art Thread
« on: January 06, 2013, 07:09:32 pm »
@Kitheif: Thanks!
Yeah, I wanted to make sure the building's shape is still visible, so that seemed like the best way to go about it. :]
I like the little tech demo, Hectate. It's neat! The tiny tiles are very appealing to me. The character itself fits well with the black scheme and I could still see him pretty well. Like you said, it'll change from monitor to monitor.
Yeah, I wanted to make sure the building's shape is still visible, so that seemed like the best way to go about it. :]
I like the little tech demo, Hectate. It's neat! The tiny tiles are very appealing to me. The character itself fits well with the black scheme and I could still see him pretty well. Like you said, it'll change from monitor to monitor.
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Game Art / Re: Pixel Art Thread
« on: January 06, 2013, 04:24:08 pm »
^ I can always count on you to catch shifts in my pixelling style. c:
I keep on changing though, for good or worse. We'll see where I turn up a few years down the road. :T
I keep on changing though, for good or worse. We'll see where I turn up a few years down the road. :T
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Game Art / Re: Pixel Art Thread
« on: January 06, 2013, 03:45:27 pm »
Something I've been tinkering with the past few days. Some elements were taken from an earlier pixel piece of mine.
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Chit-Chat / Re: How long should a game be?
« on: December 09, 2012, 06:44:12 pm »
In my opinion, the length isn't a worry so long as the player can walk away feeling satisfied or had fun playing it. Some games go on forever, becoming a test for how long you survive. Some games have a large amount of levels, but depending on how interesting the game mechanics are this could backfire if it's the same thing over and over again. Focus first on quality and keeping things fresh for the player.
If you feel satisfied as the designer behind the game and feel like you've explored all the game concepts that you wanted to, then it's done. If you feel like more could be done and more challenges could be made, then it's not. Push yourself to make a good game, and everything else is secondary.
If you feel satisfied as the designer behind the game and feel like you've explored all the game concepts that you wanted to, then it's done. If you feel like more could be done and more challenges could be made, then it's not. Push yourself to make a good game, and everything else is secondary.
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Chit-Chat / Re: Post Your Desktop!
« on: October 22, 2012, 05:53:09 pm »
Just screenshot this. I'm rather proud of my little shortcut bar up there. Used RocketDock and edited Cave Story sprites in.
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Chit-Chat / Re: Who's your favourite comedian ? ( If any )
« on: October 22, 2012, 05:39:03 pm »
I enjoy Gabriel Iglesias. His sound effects, acting, and stories are all really funny. He's really the only comedian I follow somewhat closely.
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Game Ideas / Re: Would really like some feedback ;-)
« on: October 19, 2012, 09:15:32 am »
Hello there, moved this topic to Game Ideas.
I like what you have here, in short. Very nice graphics and it looks pretty fun to play. Will the Octopus be the only one at the bottom, or are you thinking about changing up the scene a little like, say, using a Shark instead? That could be a nice touch, but not necessary.
Hope to see more. :]
I like what you have here, in short. Very nice graphics and it looks pretty fun to play. Will the Octopus be the only one at the bottom, or are you thinking about changing up the scene a little like, say, using a Shark instead? That could be a nice touch, but not necessary.
Hope to see more. :]
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Chit-Chat / Re: Designing a horizontal Shmup
« on: October 05, 2012, 05:47:18 pm »
The best way for you to make a shmup using Stencyl is to make the background and other elements scroll in such a way that it 'looks' like you're moving through space.
In shmups, the movement of enemies is very important. If the whole game is suited around shooting things, then much of the challenge must arise from making shooting things more difficult. Consider using 'shields' that must be worn down, fast moving ships, and different patterns of movement. Larger enemies or bosses can be given larger 'lazer' attacks for instance that sweeps a large part of the screen.
I hope these little tips were insightful for you. :]
Good luck!
In shmups, the movement of enemies is very important. If the whole game is suited around shooting things, then much of the challenge must arise from making shooting things more difficult. Consider using 'shields' that must be worn down, fast moving ships, and different patterns of movement. Larger enemies or bosses can be given larger 'lazer' attacks for instance that sweeps a large part of the screen.
I hope these little tips were insightful for you. :]
Good luck!
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Chit-Chat / Re: Sleeping Dogs ..
« on: September 24, 2012, 05:46:06 pm »
I am really quite interested in picking this up, but probably later down the line. My parents immigrated from Hong Kong to America and I was there once a long time ago, so I feel a kind of longing/bond with it. It's definitely an interesting city, and I think it's cool to see it used as the environment for a game. The combat looks neat, bunch of vehicles to ride, and a realistic, breathing world... Very cool stuff.
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Game Art / Re: Need advice for creating art with zero experience
« on: September 22, 2012, 03:29:10 pm »
I've been doing pixel art for a few years now and while I like to think I'm competent, I still have a long ways to go.
This isn't to deter you, but any skill-set requires time to get good at it. If you're going to go into pixel art, I suggest a few things:
1) Start off small. Like, really small. 16x16. This will get you used to how pixels interact with one another and how even one pixel can change things.
2) Study games that you liked as a child to see how they drew things/draw inspiration from them.
3) MS Paint is all you'll ever really need. It provides the basics for putting pixels down; you need to bring the rest to the table. Some prefer Graphics Gale, some use Gimp, others even use Photoshop.
4) Whatever graphics-making tool you choose, it ultimately comes down to you to make things look good. Fancy blurring tools and other things may seem like it makes whatever look good, but if you can't use it correctly you're going to end up with sub-par material.
5) When drawing/animating in general, use real life references or images off the internet to help you. I've posed in the mirror/acted out things I wanted my character to do multiple times to get the idea down. Of course, this is just my method; whether you want to do that is your choice. Videos on youtube, especially in slow-motion also can help tremendously when trying to animate something.
To address your questions directly:
1. If you want to do things on your own and be independent, pixel-art is one of the 'easier' styles to use in games. Most like using this because they either grew up with games using this style, or take a lot of inspiration from them and old-school techniques. This is why there are a plenthora of indie games out there doing pixel art.
As for Paint-style art, it depends. I personally believe that as long as there's some artistic merit/technique any kind of game could be interesting graphic-wise. I think that if you went for a more loose, paint-style art it may be easier to do in some aspects, but harder in others. Hard to say, since I haven't tried something like that before.
2. ^ (3) See above.
3. Heard of people practicing that way before. I don't really recommend it unless you're actively learning while doing so. (Learning how the body moves, anatomy, etc.) Otherwise, you can get used to drawing just be doodling, copying, then putting your own spin/testing yourself.
One other choice is to hire an artist on commission. If you have a friend that's into pixel art and is willing to work on this with you for free, that's very helpful. More often though artists will ask for half of a certain amount before, and the other half once the job is done. Game projects are dropped often, and artists want to walk away with some money for the work they've done.
Hope you gained some insight from this. :]
This isn't to deter you, but any skill-set requires time to get good at it. If you're going to go into pixel art, I suggest a few things:
1) Start off small. Like, really small. 16x16. This will get you used to how pixels interact with one another and how even one pixel can change things.
2) Study games that you liked as a child to see how they drew things/draw inspiration from them.
3) MS Paint is all you'll ever really need. It provides the basics for putting pixels down; you need to bring the rest to the table. Some prefer Graphics Gale, some use Gimp, others even use Photoshop.
4) Whatever graphics-making tool you choose, it ultimately comes down to you to make things look good. Fancy blurring tools and other things may seem like it makes whatever look good, but if you can't use it correctly you're going to end up with sub-par material.
5) When drawing/animating in general, use real life references or images off the internet to help you. I've posed in the mirror/acted out things I wanted my character to do multiple times to get the idea down. Of course, this is just my method; whether you want to do that is your choice. Videos on youtube, especially in slow-motion also can help tremendously when trying to animate something.
To address your questions directly:
1. If you want to do things on your own and be independent, pixel-art is one of the 'easier' styles to use in games. Most like using this because they either grew up with games using this style, or take a lot of inspiration from them and old-school techniques. This is why there are a plenthora of indie games out there doing pixel art.
As for Paint-style art, it depends. I personally believe that as long as there's some artistic merit/technique any kind of game could be interesting graphic-wise. I think that if you went for a more loose, paint-style art it may be easier to do in some aspects, but harder in others. Hard to say, since I haven't tried something like that before.
2. ^ (3) See above.
3. Heard of people practicing that way before. I don't really recommend it unless you're actively learning while doing so. (Learning how the body moves, anatomy, etc.) Otherwise, you can get used to drawing just be doodling, copying, then putting your own spin/testing yourself.
One other choice is to hire an artist on commission. If you have a friend that's into pixel art and is willing to work on this with you for free, that's very helpful. More often though artists will ask for half of a certain amount before, and the other half once the job is done. Game projects are dropped often, and artists want to walk away with some money for the work they've done.
Hope you gained some insight from this. :]
