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TIGSource ForumsCommunityTownhallForum IssuesArchived subforums (read only)CreativeIs this a viable style for a game?
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alvarop
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« on: July 24, 2014, 04:13:46 PM »

I'm currently working on a project with someone, but I want to get the ball rolling on another project, a more personal one. In the other project, the other person I'm working with is the artist, and I'm the game designer / programmer. On the new one, I'd do everything. The thing is, I can't draw, at all.

I found a workaround last ludum dare, where I adopted a "childish" style and people seemed to like it. Now, I'm designing this new project, and thematically / ambiance-wise, I want to continue building a game in that "voice". Just to put things into perspective, I'm coming from a complete hobbyist / n00b background. I want to develop a long-term project that I could come back to and add more and more stuff to and release for people to play on websites like Gamejolt and freeware-type sites.

Just so you guys know what I'm talking about :




Of course, this time I would take more time to get the style down and choose better colours and textures to fit the "childish" feel a bit more. For now, it's not very detailed and I used some lazy techniques to be able to finish it in time for Ludum Dare. However, the essence of the style I'm trying to adopt is there. The gameplay would be completely different, but that's another story. I'm just wondering, if this style is too gimmicky, or if, in your opinion, it's a viable style to develop throughout a whole game. In an age of pixel-art and hyper-realism, can a caveman /primitive like me allow himself to do the art for his own game? Or furthermore, could such a primitive style become a "signature" for an artist / game developer?

What do you think?
« Last Edit: July 24, 2014, 04:18:55 PM by alvarop » Logged

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McMutton
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« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2014, 05:11:36 PM »

I think it looks pretty good thus far. I think you could push the childish look more by using a crayon brush or something like that for the coloring, to add to the 'on paper' look.
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alvarop
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« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2014, 05:14:34 PM »

I drew all my assets in Flash for the LD entry. I'm thinking into doing the art for the new game in something like Art Rage (or something similar...).  One of those drawing programs that allow you to use "real life paper" texture and materials. I want to push the style a little bit more, going even more "childish" and primitive, but working a bit more with colours (brightness, saturation) to make everything very vivid and lively.
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« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2014, 05:48:11 PM »

make it look like everything was drawn in crayon/marker, not the circle brush
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alvarop
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« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2014, 05:50:29 PM »

I agree. The only software that could do that (that I know of) is Art Rage. Maybe I could get some recommendations?
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« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2014, 05:51:38 PM »

photoshop
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alvarop
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« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2014, 05:53:20 PM »

I'll have to research how to achieve that in photoshop. Thanks.
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« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2014, 09:39:22 PM »

Look into Corel Painter too, it's really good at emulating a whole lot of traditional drawing/painting tools.

Photoshop is not really good when it comes to traditional art emulation, but for your purposes it should suffice more than enough. Places like DeviantArt are full of free to use brushes, textures and perhaps most importantly for you - layer styles.
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alvarop
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« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2014, 09:41:31 PM »

Corel Painter, that's the one I had in mind. I'll have to check it out. Art Rage does the job and it's so simple. However, I don't know if I could get a good workflow to make game assets, everything is so clunky and big and... yeah, it's made to do virtual paintings more than anything. But I might be using it wrong.

I'll have to do some mockups and come back with them to get some feedback.
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Muzz
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« Reply #9 on: July 25, 2014, 05:35:17 PM »

http://whatareyouwait.info/
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alvarop
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« Reply #10 on: July 25, 2014, 06:07:34 PM »

WOW Muzz. How fucking cool is that game? I love it. I have to play it RIGHT NAO.

Downloading as I write this. It might help as an inspiration.
edit : can't believe I never heard of it before. I feel so ignorant.
« Last Edit: July 25, 2014, 08:55:41 PM by alvarop » Logged

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Nikolas
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« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2014, 01:20:20 AM »

I really like the "click to start text" together with the paint over effect at the end.
If you decide to use a crayon brush you may want to try to change the plain white background into a kind of paper texture.
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Knives
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« Reply #12 on: July 30, 2014, 05:57:25 PM »

I really like the looseleaf background. The crayon idea that's been mentioned already sounds perfect for this concept too.

I think you're on to something here. Wish you the best of luck if you decide to pursue this idea.
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alvarop
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« Reply #13 on: July 30, 2014, 06:06:14 PM »

Yup, I'm pretty much working on a game concept and trying to get this style "right". Thanks.
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Knives
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« Reply #14 on: July 30, 2014, 06:27:47 PM »

Something I didn't really notice the first time, I like how you made everything constantly changing frame by frame like stop-motion animation. Really nice touch.
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« Reply #15 on: July 31, 2014, 09:17:54 AM »

I really like this style! If you want your art to be as child-like as possible, one suggestion I have is to gather up some actual children drawings and use them for reference. It's pretty easy to tell the difference between art by children and children-like art by adults, but looking at and taking notes from drawings by children can help strengthen the style you're trying to achieve.
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alvarop
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« Reply #16 on: July 31, 2014, 09:19:50 AM »

That's what I've been doing lately, but I'm afraid that if I go too deep into it, it won't look any good.
For instance, I'm loving this type of drawing :

http://www.birdsongandtheecowonders.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/sea-life-by-jaden.jpg

But I feel like it's too much for a game? I'm not sure. Maybe I'll find something in between.
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