This will be the last of the series for this game. This one is orange because its the only color left.

I have been asked many questions about these BGs that have prompted me to use this last one as both a place for me to get c+c and show in as much detail as possible the creation process. It will be a c+c+tut for some.

The first step I took beyond the basic open a file and what have you is divide the canvas into the two screens (viewable area is 320x240). I then divided the canvas into 3 areas The whites on the WIP.  I also blocked out the User Interface (UI) area since not much is needed there (the top).
Having decided this would be an Egyptian, Moorish, Muslim architecture type of setting. I first blocked out a generic playing layer (1) these I based on the others for the sake of consistency. Layers (2,3,4,5,) were blocked out with a general idea of creating good layouts in the screen sections (I see 3 distict layouts, capable of looking well balanced on its own). Layers (6,7,8) will end up as moving clouds sky or whatever ends up back there (more layers may be added there too, not a layout problem so ignored for now). Lastly because all the other BGs have a small animation I included a sun that will move somehow (for later). In this first draft I added way too many minurets (towers) to remind me that height is needed, I will not use this many. Finally the pyramids are there for the gamer to immediately understand the scene, an important element. It may not end up being a pyramid but it will definitely say "desert" upon entering this level.

Notice too that I threw in a layer from the factory level (damm those f**kin smokestacks) and colored it orange. The playable area I colored in blue. This is the genesis for my palette. The buildings will be cream/white/sand color but will need some blue (secondary lighting, architectural decoration or something blue) by having the blue already there I will refrain from eliminating it or ignoring it. Regardless of the direction this takes. It will be basically orange and blue.

Now that the base structure, idea and concept are set I will start to pixel with freedom, wherever. I may jump around or I may start with a layer (middle ones are best. better ideas always come up while working so the work that goes into a middle layer won't be all wasted. By the way the smallest thing I want to have detailed is the minuret tops. I will make the smallest possible one that shows all the details I want to include and then work my building scale to it, within reason to the door scale set by the other BGs.

On to pixelling c+c very welcome!

 


Edited by jalonso

souly i love you!!!

Dont' get to excited there, Sander.... 0,o;
Lol.

Great refs guys, thx.
As I mentioned that was just a general blocking out of areas. I started pushing some pixels for the middle layer and found it was too filled up as first drafted. I began with creating a base for the desert. While filling up the area I threw in a huge pyramid and really liked it. This gave me a whole new idea for this scene. The direction has turned to make the rest of the building on the left in the foreground and a street market with fruits/vegs, rugs and baskets on the right side, in front of the pyramid. Under tents and tarps (I need blue). I see palm trees here in the front too.

This is the background of the background so its very orange atm




Edited by jalonso

Yep, jal's got the skillz that killz.  And we'll put em to more good use soon.

i can see this is going to be my favourite out of all of them ;)

damn typos

Edited by Shark

Looking fantastic jal. I love the building, and the trees, and the pyramid. One thing i find sorta off is the shading in and general colouring with the dunes and the clouds. I know you hate AA, but you really should sometimes, because clouds arnt spikey :)

I kinda agree about the glow of sun, but on the other hand it also gives the atmosphere a dusty look, im not sure if you were going for that effect or not.

I dont know what to tell you other than it looks good. Keep going.

So I have revised the layout to fit in better with the others. I thought it best to set the mood by having the first screen be mostlt desert and scroll to the building. I found the building worked best with heavy shadows in the balconies of the building so I have removed the sun and placed the lightsource on the top left. I'm happy with the colored palm trees but the orangy ones look wierd still. The very front playing level is supposed to be a tile mosaic wall as seen in Morrocan architecture. I added some faux Islamic writing to set the mood. If you are Moslem and find this offensive, I live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,




Edited by jalonso - 16 July 2006 at 12:54am

sand = <3.

KUTGW

Sand way better! Keep updating

i cant wait to see the sky. The tiles seem a bit messy though. Perhaps remove some of the colors.

Amazing so far! I really like the color of the building. :)

The foreground I think is most excelent but the background sky seems kinda bland to me now

It looks great as is. You have so much detail in the foreground that the sky acts as "whitespace", ie. no clouds needed. It's a good resting place for the stressed out eyes of a gamer.

Love the front tiles btw.

Great update again. The palms are looking far better. Improvement on the tiles too. Are you not planning to add a rippling sun then? Because i think that's what's needed.

Hmm yeah i understand, it isn't worth redoing all the lighting for. :/

I'm still confused. I need this paralax thing explained to me.

They're still backwards.   :/

Ahh! What threw me off was that I thought it was a platformer game, not a fighter. Crazy me. THAT woulda meant that the foremost layer was also still background. Heh.