Lance (WIP)

[Mattastic]

Here's the main character for the game I'm working on. To explain, I'm trying to make more of a side-scroller type RPG, rather than a top-down one, and all the non-visual elements are functional.

Now I did try posting this on a dedicated sprite forum for help, because I know I'm not really a very active user here. But according to them it's not a sprite, nor is it in any way visable or useable unless it runs on a computer made before 1995. Taking advantage of RMXP's vast colour range and PNG support displeases them. So I hope you can all forgive me for my lack of involvement on these boards, and also overlook my use of an unusual spriting technique.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj10 ... lance2.png[/img] http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj10 ... lance3.png[/img] http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj10 ... lance4.png[/img]

The first two images are alternatives for how to do the hair, and I'm not sure which is most appropriate. The third is a response to the pixel-freaks complaint that my design is blurry (although apparently, even the third image here is blurry to them). What are peoples thoughts on the hair/clarity?

Also, I'm finding this character doesn't tend to stand out effectively against backgrounds, and I think it might be an issue with the pallet I'm using. Can anyone please give me some advice on effective sprite and background pallets, and how to ensure that sprites stand out clearly and naturally?

Any other tips for improvement would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Schnide]

Overall this is some really good work.

I would say personally I prefer the hair in the first one.

In order to reduce the blurriness and make him stand out more I guess reducing the AA and maybe make the outlines contrast a little more could help.  Otherwise, most professional games from the past would give the sprites a more saturated and/or brighter palette than the background to make them contrast (sometimes unnaturally so).

I hope that this helps.

 

[Harvest]

Won't the AA be a problem in-game?  I thought RPG Maker, any version, couldn't handle transparency files beyond one selected color being transparent.  Can the RPG Makers handle transparency pngs? 

 

[nohmaan]

Won't the AA be a problem in-game?  I thought RPG Maker, any version, couldn't handle transparency files beyond one selected color being transparent.  Can the RPG Makers handle transparency pngs? 

You can have alpha transparencies in your work, just save it as a .png with an already transparent back ground and it'll work.

 

[$t3v0]

My heart stopped. I thought this was my penis you was spriting

Looks great! Love the size and shape lots.

 

[Mattastic]

Thanks for the responses, guys. After the fiasco on that other forum, it's very refreshing not to be called a [explitive deleted] for not doing a character the way everyone else does theirs.

A lot of people tell me they prefer the first hair technique to the second one. Sadly, I really, really disagree, but very much see where they're coming from. So I have been considering that maybe it's because the first appears so much darker. So, I tried out how he'd look with hair down one shade

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj10 ... lance2.png[/img] http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj10 ... lance5.png[/img] http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj10 ... lance3.png[/img]

(The middle one's the new one. Originals shown either side for reference -- also, he has a swanky new belt and a better buckle!)

Does this give a better effect overall?

Schnide, I'll see about finding a more saturated pallette, although the sharpening I've already given it is doing wonders! Thanks for the tip though.

$t3v0, lol at the penis, but about the proportions: they overall shape of this dude is heavily influenced by Pocket Fighter sprites. They're just too awesome!

 

[Despain]

The last one in the first post is by far the best one here. I don't like the blurring, which is why people were saying that it wasn't a sprite. That's followed by the new one, but I don't like the colors in the darker hair.

Could you post bigger versions? At least 4x.

 

[Mattastic]

I've fixed a few things, added some folds in his coat, and given him a new and better sleeve! Also, I have made a start on the sword

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj10 ... lance6.png[/img] http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj10 ... lance7.png[/img]

At this scale (and not 4x) is it actually possible to determine the shape of the fluer-de-lys at (what will be) the crossguard? How's the general idea anyway? And does the sword look better horizontal, or at a natural angle?

 

[razendnomar]

Nice job :thumb:. I think that the sword looks better in a natural angle. I also like the new belt looks way better, the other one is to thick imo. Also there some big chunks near the split of the hair, about the hight of the eyebrow, also the golfy hairlines disapair there, but otherwise great job.]

 

[Mattastic]

Cheers mate. Good to hear I'm going in the right direction.

What do you mean by "big chunks" though? I'm not quite sure I understand what you're talking about.

 

[Mascarpone]

it reminds me of Street Fighter Pocket... and i cant say that's a good thing. Ur technical values are fine but i don't like it lol.

 

[razendnomar]

I mean the big bits of the same colour near the top of the head. Imo it doesn't look right. Especially (is it spelled right??) now, because the other parts are better detailed/ shaded.