Thank you for replying!  I'm surprised by where you see this going because I wasn't anywhere near that, but I can see it now, and I'm considering going with it.  As far as the skulls not seeming Indian; didn't the Indian culture have nagas (half snake people)?  Grotesque demons and malicious gods will play to my weaknesses in anatomy by making them strengths, maybe. 

Jinn, that is a very strange pose.  I find it to be visually confusing, as it's very unusual for a character's head to face in (essentially) the opposite direction of their body.  Unless you're going for a surreal effect, I guess. : )

Based on your image, I have no idea whether he is supposed to be moving to the left, to the right or hell, just jumping vertically.  I'm trying really hard to picture him in motion but it's just not happening.



Anyway, I made a REALLY REALLY messy edit here to, hopefully, show you what I mean.  I really think that making the body face in the same direction as the head will unify the sprite and produce a more easy-to-read gesture.

Sorry for murdering your work, I was just trying to get an idea across, not produce a masterpiece.

Cheers

Weeeell, in your example Peter Pan's (it is Peter Pan, right? : P) shoulders are rotated -- and it's very obvious that he's doing this to be able to deliver a powerful swing with his sword.  Also, his hips are facing the same way as his face, so I would argue that this sprite is not an example of the same pose.

And sorry if I wasn't being clear, I was not trying to edit your style or anything like that!! I was only trying to edit the pose. 

heh, a little part of me wants to challenge you to animate the sprite. 

Anyway, just wanted to say that I really admire your art and I'm really looking forward to seeing this piece finished. : )

   I think it would be good for the naked spartan to do a jumping sword-stab attack onto the spear-holder, wherein the spartan would have his legs stretched out below his torso, with his sword clutched in both hands above his head. It would show that he's putting everything into this last attack.

   Moreover, if you want to add to the dynamic of the pre-described pose, you make the spear holder hold the spear aimed at the spartan's torso, as opposed to aiming blindly at the ground. It's obvious the naked spartan isn't going to be at that spot anytime soon...

I guess Jinn has fallen in love with the pose (and has also decided to have the Spartan use his curved sword as a stabbing weapon, which is a bit unusual), which is fair enough. I agree that the new background is absolutely fabulous and I'm sure this piece will be top 3.

One thing I didn't notice before, Jinn, was that you seem to have the shield upside down. The V is actually supposed to be the greek letter Lambda, which is an upside down V. According to Wikipedia, the letter L is for Lakedaimon, the name of the region of Sparta. (You'll see this in most illustrations and the movie 300)

EDIT: Jinn, the new pose is much better. Looks like Achilles in Troy, when he kills the enemy's champion with a single strike. Basically the same movement.

@Chibiwing: I didn't really consider the Nagas, but that's an interesting observation, since your skulls have the bodies of snakes. As you say, it's at least an option, unless you think of something else.


Edited by CELS - 01 September 2011 at 9:16pm

Jinn, nice job on the newer pose. It's much better. I'd adjust his furthest leg's angle a bit, maybe. I dunno, I'm not the greatest at anatomy XP

My second attempt:

Everything is looking awesome!!

I will comment when I get the time. Meanwhile can anyone answer this question?

Does this SNES mode:
"Pixel-to-pixel Mode 1 comprised of three scrolling layers: two 16 color (4-bit) per tile layers and one 4 color (2-bit) layer"

Mean I can have one 16color layer as background, one 4 color layer (as a sky or whatever) and one layer with platforms on it? And on top of that any sprites I want?

Am I missing a layer? Am I adding more than the SNES could handle? Thanks



Edited by neofotistou - 02 September 2011 at 8:15am

I think you are right about mode 1. 4-bit means 2^4 = 16 and 2-bit means 2^2 = 4. 0100 maps to one color for layer one and 0100 maps to a different color in layer two. I imagine a map to fetch a color given the 4-bits. I do not see any specifications on how large a specific layer can be.

In mode 1, the three layers scroll at the same speed. In mode 2, you get two layers that can scroll at independent speeds.

Edited by shampoop - 02 September 2011 at 9:08am

Update:


I think I'm done but I'm not sure. Anything I should change before I submit?

@PureAwesomeness. I'd say the one on the left. Reads a lot better with higher contrast.

How's this?


Not sure what you meant by "adjacent rows of bricks are offset by a bit instead of aligning in perfect rows." though. Care to elaborate?

As for your piece, I like it, although it's a little cluttered, personally. But I assume that's what you're going for so it works. The heel of the player's front foot is a little square and the green palette for the alien portrait in the bottom corner doesn't contrast enough so all the shades tend to just kind of blend into each other, lessening the "pop" so to speak.


Edited by Lathien - 02 September 2011 at 1:55pm

I assume he's referring to the fact that you have bricks positioned directly on top of each other. If you just google "bricks" and look at the images, you'll notice that they have a different pattern.

By the way, while I do applaud your original approach, I can't help but wonder how your game would work. I assume your guy can't jump, because he'd fall off the wall. Does he meet enemies and just run through them?
EDIT- Never mind, I saw you already explained. Kudos for originality.


Edited by CELS - 02 September 2011 at 4:05pm

@alart way to go! don't give this up

@CELS: you might want to try to separate the background, midground and foreground a little bit. Color-wise. Looking good

@kevink so pretty! keep it up!

@shampoop: thanks for the help!

Ok here's my WIP as well.
19 colors (so far)
What do you think?

I was going for the last version, I even had it shaded:



But how can I say no for sush a badass edit?
Thank you very much, Neo! I'll for sure take this pose in consideration.

I just hope it's my last edit! hehehe


Edited by Jinn - 02 September 2011 at 6:56pm

Taking into consideration the style of level, the only thing I would say is to highlight the "spine" with the vibrant red used on his head, and may be make it drape over the platform he's on.

Also, the level does not inspire fear, although the boss intends to to. He doesn't seem to fit...

Edited by AirStyle - 02 September 2011 at 8:34pm

@chibiwing: the background is fantastic. The foreground doesn't read well, however, with these colors. Check some bubble bobble 3 or bubble bobble evolution references maybe?Also, good job with the skulls.

@jinn you're welcome/I'm sorry. lol


Edited by neofotistou - 03 September 2011 at 1:32am

Sure, but don't take my word for it.
I think your background suggests old house wallpaper and lace and chocolate cookies. So, if you want to keep the background, maybe you could go with wood for the platforms or something. Like grandma's coffee tables. It feels nostalgic, to me at least. What do you think?

@surt: this is very good! It reminds me of "gods" by the bitmap brothers. Maybe make his legs less crooked.

Omg, these WIPS are awesome! I especially like neo's and surt's! Everyone is doing great. I wish I coulda participated in this challenge, but I didn't have any good ideas

Neo, your's will make me mad if it isn't an actual game in the near future!

@CELS: It's still nice. Maybe add some more contrast in the front layer of buildings, so you can tell it's part of the foreground.
@neofotistou: Ooh, nice. Not really much to say.

P.S. what do you guys think about mine? I looked at it today, and it doesn't look as good as it did yesterday when I was working on it. I think I should probably just keep the colours, maybe brighten the buildings a little more. Any suggestions?

WOW! some really great stuff this week.

@ Chibiwing and Felix2,
Kinda sloppy and disorganized. Think quality lines the competition is tough this week.

@ Chibiwing
You are going back to that 'hen-pecking' pixelling style that never quite works, PJ members dislike and generally are not well received. That works ok for 1bit pieces but you tend to use enough colors that its not really needed.
Your AA and general pixelling was improving with every piece but something has happened...*slaps*


Edited by jalonso - 03 September 2011 at 3:08pm

You totally nailed the feeling I was going for but couldn't pin down; thank you, thank you!  If I take that direction (and a part of me really, really wants to) should I abandon these monsters for something else?

Well the background is what needs help. The clouds look good but they don't quite match the style overall. Also the mountains have minimal pixelwork but the way you've shown them they also don't quite match. Maybe a pixel pattern that's anything but 50/50 for the caps? or lines... Whatever makes every item suit the style on its own. Also remember that its a game so the player sprite IS the most important thing. If lost you failed. Not saying it is now but it sure is close.

Fyi, the less colors the harder it is. For your next work, If you're new and learning keep colors low but use enough to hide the flaws ;)

@surt: yeap. Love the cyclops

Edited by neofotistou - 04 September 2011 at 3:34am

I think I'm finally done!