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TO CHIB OR NOT TO CHIB.
Posts
drakiyth
50
drakiyth
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CloseAs you all know I am working on a very serious game called Aftermath VX. It's a game that deals with the NWO destroying the world after its original dark plans were foiled. The world was destroyed etc, etc.
Now here is my thing. I don't use anything "cutesy" in this game besides the chibi sprites. My face sets are very realistic looking and have a serious vibe. My graphics are a combination of hills and things from RTP and a lot of my own custom Etile. I have made burned up cars, trucks, refrigerators and other things that make it look like a modern world was torched. I have raised the hills to smash into the structure of the buildings.
The games battle graphics are custom too and nothing is kiddy or happy happy joy joy about the mutated dog with it's brain spilling out.
The only reason I have decided to use these chibs are because let's be honest here. WHERE THE HELL ARE THE REALISTIC CHARACTER SPRITES FOR VX? Or at least why hasn't anybody made a database like the three or four chib sets out there that lets you put together things on the fly.
So my question to the community. What should I do? Do some of you like the chibs I have now in the game? I made sure they weren't vibrant and colorful to fit the setting. You WILL NOT see some green haired guy in Aftermath. Unless he's a punker or something.
NOTE: I have looked for a realistic VX sprite editor for almost a week and can't find one. Don't forget you have 32 x 32 to deal with.
Overall, I want the game to rock. I have put a lot of work into this project and it's coming out in a strong demo on the 25th of this month. I need some honest opinions of what you would do. I don't want to make this a flame war so be constructive.
Now here is my thing. I don't use anything "cutesy" in this game besides the chibi sprites. My face sets are very realistic looking and have a serious vibe. My graphics are a combination of hills and things from RTP and a lot of my own custom Etile. I have made burned up cars, trucks, refrigerators and other things that make it look like a modern world was torched. I have raised the hills to smash into the structure of the buildings.
The games battle graphics are custom too and nothing is kiddy or happy happy joy joy about the mutated dog with it's brain spilling out.
The only reason I have decided to use these chibs are because let's be honest here. WHERE THE HELL ARE THE REALISTIC CHARACTER SPRITES FOR VX? Or at least why hasn't anybody made a database like the three or four chib sets out there that lets you put together things on the fly.
So my question to the community. What should I do? Do some of you like the chibs I have now in the game? I made sure they weren't vibrant and colorful to fit the setting. You WILL NOT see some green haired guy in Aftermath. Unless he's a punker or something.
NOTE: I have looked for a realistic VX sprite editor for almost a week and can't find one. Don't forget you have 32 x 32 to deal with.
Overall, I want the game to rock. I have put a lot of work into this project and it's coming out in a strong demo on the 25th of this month. I need some honest opinions of what you would do. I don't want to make this a flame war so be constructive.
I really thought VX could use any sprite size (not just 32x32)... Or is this because bigger sprites look wrong with the tilesets? Sorry, I lack any knowledge about how VX works, but I've seen it handle sprites of all different shapes and sizes.
Also, you might be interested in this?
http://www.hbgames.org/forums/viewtopic.php?style=26&f=179&t=60856&start=0
Also, you might be interested in this?
http://www.hbgames.org/forums/viewtopic.php?style=26&f=179&t=60856&start=0
drakiyth
50
author=Fallen-Griever
You could always convert XP or 2K/3 graphics into VX format and use those, a lack of resources shouldn't really be a problem (you'd have to do some work on the 2K/3 graphics to get them up to the same resolution as the VX graphics, but at least you'd have a base to work from).
Like I said on the image itself, your game would benefit greatly from having non-chibi graphics. They didn't fit the atmosphere you were looking for, which is why people were so vocal about them.
(This might've been better as a blog.)
EDIT: There's nothing wrong with using chibi graphics in a modern game if that game has a light-hearted theme. It's not the modern nature of your game that negates the use of chibi graphics. It's the atmosphere you seem to be aiming for that makes them seem out of place.
I do agree with you, FG. I know this game is extremely dark and basically everything besides my character sprites fit the world. *sigh* You think RM2K3 sprites would fit better eh? Hmmm. I was even looking at fallout 1/2 for a while there but can't find any solid rips.
LivingEffigy
187
Well, I just checked out some screenies of your game and, from my point of view, the faces are very realistic. In stark contrast, are the chibi sprites which, again in my opinion, do not reflect the seriousness your face sets show.
One solution that I can offer to this is that you could change over to xp sprites (If you're willing to, since you must have put some effort into making the sprites you are using currently) .I found this http://www.geocities.jp/kurororo4/looseleaf/ which you could use. These sprites are actually bigger than the rtp sprites so you may (or may not face some difficulty).
Another would be, that you increase the "grayness" of your maps to remove the "shiny" factor.
Hope this helps :-)
One solution that I can offer to this is that you could change over to xp sprites (If you're willing to, since you must have put some effort into making the sprites you are using currently) .I found this http://www.geocities.jp/kurororo4/looseleaf/ which you could use. These sprites are actually bigger than the rtp sprites so you may (or may not face some difficulty).
Another would be, that you increase the "grayness" of your maps to remove the "shiny" factor.
Hope this helps :-)
drakiyth
50
author=LivingEffigy
Well, I just checked out some screenies of your game and, from my point of view, the faces are very realistic. In stark contrast, are the chibi sprites which, again in my opinion, do not reflect the seriousness your face sets show.
One solution that I can offer to this is that you could change over to xp sprites (If you're willing to, since you must have put some effort into making the sprites you are using currently) .I found this http://www.geocities.jp/kurororo4/looseleaf/ which you could use. These sprites are actually bigger than the rtp sprites so you may (or may not face some difficulty).
Another would be, that you increase the "grayness" of your maps to remove the "shiny" factor.
Hope this helps :-)
Yeah, those are nice. I have to smash them into a 32x32 box though. Unless there is a way through scripting to use XP size characters in VX.
EDIT:
Hmm wait a sec.. I think I might be wrong about the 32 x 32 if I am this will be awesome.
^ Read my previous comment ^
Also this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH0P2ArmO1E (if you need it)
Also, this is VX:
Also this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH0P2ArmO1E (if you need it)
Also, this is VX:
drakiyth
50
author=NewBlack
^ Read my previous comment ^
author=NewBlack
I really thought VX could use any sprite size (not just 32x32)... Or is this because bigger sprites look wrong with the tilesets? Sorry, I lack any knowledge about how VX works, but I've seen it handle sprites of all different shapes and sizes.
Also, you might be interested in this?
http://www.hbgames.org/forums/viewtopic.php?style=26&f=179&t=60856&start=0
Wicked dude! I didn't know VX goes past the 32x32 boundary. Well, I think this will help immensely. Why the hell did I think it was restricted to 32x32? lol
I would have assumed so too until I saw people using pretty much any-size sprites in it! :)
Hope you can get it working/looking good.
Hope you can get it working/looking good.
LivingEffigy
187
Also, compared to rtp, the loose leaf generator gives less *shinier* sprites so you may want to give it a try. All the best!
drakiyth
50
author=LivingEffigy
Also, compared to rtp, the loose leaf generator gives less *shinier* sprites so you may want to give it a try. All the best!
Yeah, I'm putting them in the game. Thank you very much guys.
LivingEffigy
187
No problem. Just out of curiosity though, did you make those faces? They're awesome!
drakiyth
50
author=LivingEffigy
No problem. Just out of curiosity though, did you make those faces? They're awesome!
I did actually.
Okay here we go!
Tell me what you guys think now. Much better?
Your guy is naked but when he finds clothes you will see it on him.
LivingEffigy
187
Well made, I have to say. I like the fact that you can interact with almost anything you can get your hands on. The mapping is done well too (the water seemed too clear though). I'll definitely play Aftermath when its out.
Definitely an improvement.
With that many searchable objects this game seems like it will take 10 eternities to make.
Wow this link is awesomely helpful. I sure wish my VX was working.
With that many searchable objects this game seems like it will take 10 eternities to make.
One solution that I can offer to this is that you could change over to xp sprites (If you're willing to, since you must have put some effort into making the sprites you are using currently) .I found this http://www.geocities.jp/kurororo4/looseleaf/ which you could use. These sprites are actually bigger than the rtp sprites so you may (or may not face some difficulty).
Wow this link is awesomely helpful. I sure wish my VX was working.
drakiyth
50
author=LivingEffigy
Well made, I have to say. I like the fact that you can interact with almost anything you can get your hands on. The mapping is done well too (the water seemed too clear though). I'll definitely play Aftermath when its out.
Awesome man. This has made me feel so much better now. Those chib sprites had to go. Yeah, the water is a bit more fresh since it's so far into the future but I see what you mean. Maybe I can grey it up a bit.
author=Max McGee
Definitely an improvement.
With that many searchable objects this game seems like it will take 10 eternities to make.One solution that I can offer to this is that you could change over to xp sprites (If you're willing to, since you must have put some effort into making the sprites you are using currently) .I found this http://www.geocities.jp/kurororo4/looseleaf/ which you could use. These sprites are actually bigger than the rtp sprites so you may (or may not face some difficulty).
Wow this link is awesomely helpful. I sure wish my VX was working.
Yeah, no shit. I had no clue you could make VX characters from XP so easily. This has made my year. I know right? I have put a shit-ton of work into this LOL.
emmych
817
If the Loose Leaf sprites end up being a bit too big, I actually made a bigger sprite base for my game a little while ago. Definitely less cutesy than the chibi RTP base, but not totally giant or whatever.
PM me if you'd like to take a look at it~! x3
PM me if you'd like to take a look at it~! x3
Queasy
0
Definitely good work creating your own assets, I love the feel of the game.
The LooseLeaf sprites are a definite improvement. However, I feel that using sprites with exaggerated proportions, in this case, a gigantic head, takes away from the 'realism' and 'seriousness' of the game. Might I suggest using sprites with more realistic proportions like the ones you'd find in a SNES-era sidescroller? You could use them as a base for your own sprites.
The LooseLeaf sprites are a definite improvement. However, I feel that using sprites with exaggerated proportions, in this case, a gigantic head, takes away from the 'realism' and 'seriousness' of the game. Might I suggest using sprites with more realistic proportions like the ones you'd find in a SNES-era sidescroller? You could use them as a base for your own sprites.
Dyhalto
7536
oooh. Much better looking. I always thought the chibs looked out of place.
It's also nice to see someone using his red pill constructively :p
It's also nice to see someone using his red pill constructively :p
Cray
0
XP characters are still chibi, just less than VX's.
I think you should use more serious graphics for such a game, but I know how hard can it be to find them, so I guess it's oka enough.
The new characters are really an improvement over the VX ones.
Good luck with the project, it looks good so far.
I think you should use more serious graphics for such a game, but I know how hard can it be to find them, so I guess it's oka enough.
The new characters are really an improvement over the VX ones.
Good luck with the project, it looks good so far.
