Hey all,

I've been creeping this site for a while now, looking at all the wonderful masterpixelpieces. What I want to tell you about, and get feedback for, is an idea I have for a 2d (not isometric) pixel art virtual world...

The idea is to allow the artist to create as much of the world as possible, and to put your world into your hands as much as possible. But also allow the art appreciator the leeway to view beautiful pixels without the need for creation.

SO HERE'S THE STORY

As an artist or virtual world creator, you will be able to:

-replace all of the art assets in a side scrolling style game that is not a game, but instead a chat room.... the walls, the doors, the background, the objects within it, and even the interface skin surrounding it.

-wear an avatar you've created yourself pixel by pixel in any world you visit.

-host the multi-user environment yourself, if you choose, by using an easy to set up client interface *OR* hooking up easily with a simple address to a service offered.

-host all of your assets on your own webspace (or use a 3rd party to host it for you) - even your own personal avatar.

-arrange configurations of walls and doors to make your maze like place your own by using a special builder inside the software.

-link your environment with teleport doors to the environments hosted and made by others to create a huge network of places to visit and appreciate.... an endless gallery of pixel art if you will.

-plan with others to create themed linked environments with sets you create together evolving a style grammar to be enjoyed as a project. (ie. we're all hobbits, and this how hobbit houses look in our shire, and this is our colour palette, and we have a lot of quince trees)

-gather in community rooms for avatar fashion shows, show and tell competitions, or critique sessions where you can swap in-game currency as prizes or to show your apprecation for the work of others.

-store a certain amount of in-game currency in chests that visitors can find in your environment during quest days to reward them for appreciating your art.

-create all manner of interesting NPCs to populate your environment and guard your treasure chests (you can't make it too easy for visitors to grab your currency).

-pixel art your own pets to follow you around in your travels.

-use your environments for casual chat hangouts, group meetings, portfolios, an office to meet your pixel art clients, or even roleplay sessions.


QUESTIONS...

Do you like the idea?

Is this something you would like to use to showcase your pixel art?

Is this something you would support on a kickstarter grant?

What problems do you foresee with this idea?


ABOUT ME...

I'm an artist. I graduated from the University of Guelph in Music and Fine Arts, back in 1992. Since then I've worked in many mediums: clay sculpture; miniatures; calligraphy; graphic art; 3D virtual architectural and game art; design for 3D printing; design for laser cutting; set design; and settled into some royalty situations where I get some money for my art each month.

I have always had some small interest in programming, and I'm playing with that more now with the creation of this software as a proof of concept. But if it proves a popular idea, I want to hire a team of real programmers to tidy up work and steer them to adding features artists like us need.

I appreciate any feedback you can give. The software is currently in Alpha at the moment. Give me a couple of months, and I might just be ready to release it for beta testing.

Thanks!

-Whystler

Edited by Whystler - 05 May 2015 at 6:41pm