So ... anybody interested?  Really could use some help here please people.

another sonic fan project, why oh why.. 

besides of that, the pixel art is pretty cool and the game seems solid

Because we want to make one that (1) actually gets completed and (2) isn't just a rehash of classic Sonic with a new coat of paint.

(1) We've got a good bit of design done behind the game, a solid engine that only needs a few tweaks still, a dedicated concept artist that has often been the driving force behind our project, a musician (me!), level layout designers, and a number of people to do character/object/enemy spritework (and maybe foregrounds.)

(2) Gemini isn't just "have Sonic run through the levels and beat the bosses with maybe a few new shields and that's all that differentiates us from other Sonic fangames."  The introduction of the tag-team system is going to create an interesting dynamic between Sonic and his rival-turned-ally.  The player will need to use both to their advantage.  Furthermore, we're really trying to go for the best possible blend of classic, modern, and new concepts.  Taking what works, improving on what needs work, and throwing out what absolutely doesn't work.

[(Edit: except Delano, but I don't want to pile the work on him!)]

Greetings everyone.  It has been recommended that I post here for help.

I am creating a Sonic fangame called Sonic Gemini.  Gemini is a classic 2D side-scroller Sonic game, but with a twist - you play as an unlikely but effective tag-team of Sonic and his rival, Metal Sonic.  The first demo premiered at this year's SAGE (Sonic Amateur Games Expo - www.sagexpo.org) and has been met with positive reviews.  We're going for almost completely original art (even using a completely made from scratch sprite for Sonic), and people have responded well to our efforts.

Here is our playable demo:
http://clearimagery.net/sonicgemini

Please forgive that some of the programming is buggy ... we had to get it ready for SAGE, so there are some bugs in things like the starposts, Sonic's physics, a few platforms, enemies, etc.

Anyway, the reason I'm posting in here is because I'm specifically looking for people to create backdrops for the Zones.  We don't currently have anybody who can do this on our staff yet (Edit: except Delano, but I don't want to pile the work on him!), and backgrounds seem to be a more advanced ability as far as I can tell, so anybody who is interested would be more than appreciated.  We actually have full-color concept art created for each level, so hopefully this should further aid its transition into pixel-y-ness.

My contact info is listed below.  AIM is the best way to contact me, but feel free to add me on MSN or shoot me an email.

Thank you!

Bill Shillito
~DM Ashura~
E-mail:  [email protected]
AIM:  AstralAshura
MSN:  [email protected]
YIM:  DMAshuraWolf

始めまして。阿修羅と申します。よろしくお願いします。

There we go.  Now with the moonspeak out of the way, introduction time.

My name is Bill Shillito.  I'm known online mostly as DM Ashura.  I'm a game designer and a musician.  If any of you play music games, you may know my work from Stepmania, Flash Flash Revolution, and O2Jam, as well as recent official Dance Dance Revolution and Beatmania IIDX games.  More info on that stuff at www.dmashura.com and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DM_Ashura.

I'm also working on a Sonic the Hedgehog fangame that premiered at Sonic Amateur Games Expo (SAGE) 14 this year, called "Sonic Gemini" - a classic 2D Sonic game with a twist: you play as a tag team of Sonic and his former rival Metal Sonic.  Yes it's a strange pairing.  But strange enough to work!  More info on that at http://clearimagery.net/sonicgemini/.

So with the introduction out of the way, if I may ask a question ... how do I go about trying to find help for my game?  Right now the thing I'm most in need of is backdrop artists.  We've got people helping with characters, objects, and foreground art, but backgrounds seem to be much more advanced.  If somebody could point me in the right direction I'd greatly appreciate it.  Thank you!