Pixel Joint Forum: "Pixel Art" vs. pixelled game art

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   So, I'm working on an RPG, in fits and starts. I decided to go with pixel art (as opposed to pre-rendered 3D) because I figured it would be the fastest way to produce lots of graphics. I also really enjoy doing it, much more than 3D.

But I have no interest in maintaining the "purity" of my pixel art. I just bought a cheap digital camera, specifically to take photos that I can edit into game art. I'll probably be using scanned drawings, 3D renders, and Photoshop filters, too. I'd guess as much as half of my game's art will be technically "NPA" -- despite the fact that it's all going to be low-resolution, reasonably low color-count, and will hopefully all "match" the actual hand-pixelled stuff. 

I can certainly understand why people who do pixel art for pixel art's sake would want to discourage the use of "cheap tricks." But if you're making a game that requires a massive amount of art assets, "cheap" sounds pretty good. As far as I'm concerned, any technique is fair game -- the players certainly aren't going to care if I placed every pixel by hand. 

I guess I'm just wondering if I'm the only one here who's taking this approach... and also whether people are willing to critique this sort of material, assuming it's accurately labelled.

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Morgan Midshipman Joined: 25 June 2006 Online Status: Offline Posts: 94	Topic: "Pixel Art" vs. pixelled game art Posted: 31 August 2006 at 11:16pm
	So, I'm working on an RPG, in fits and starts. I decided to go with pixel art (as opposed to pre-rendered 3D) because I figured it would be the fastest way to produce lots of graphics. I also really enjoy doing it, much more than 3D. But I have no interest in maintaining the "purity" of my pixel art. I just bought a cheap digital camera, specifically to take photos that I can edit into game art. I'll probably be using scanned drawings, 3D renders, and Photoshop filters, too. I'd guess as much as half of my game's art will be technically "NPA" -- despite the fact that it's all going to be low-resolution, reasonably low color-count, and will hopefully all "match" the actual hand-pixelled stuff. I can certainly understand why people who do pixel art for pixel art's sake would want to discourage the use of "cheap tricks." But if you're making a game that requires a massive amount of art assets, "cheap" sounds pretty good. As far as I'm concerned, any technique is fair game -- the players certainly aren't going to care if I placed every pixel by hand. I guess I'm just wondering if I'm the only one here who's taking this approach... and also whether people are willing to critique this sort of material, assuming it's accurately labelled.
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jalonso Admiral Joined: 29 November 2022 Online Status: Offline Posts: 13537	Posted: 31 August 2006 at 11:43pm
	I see no problem with hybrid forms of pixelart. They can be effective if done well. I don't find your making your own game and using tricks if need be to be a problem at all. Its your project, your vision and all art is of equal value. This of course is not true pixelart and would be inappropriate for the PJ gallery (rule #6). The members here are focused on the techiques and methods of refining an art form in its purest sense, one pixel at a time. David Hockey uses polaroids to create a vision that uses photography as a tool to create a hybrid form of modern art. True photography enthusiasts cringe at the site of his work. Acceptable everywhere except PhotoJoint.com. The only thing I would caution you on is. Gamers DO look and care about the art on games. Do the best possible. Show us in NPA WIPs and good luck.
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Anlina S. Commander Joined: 30 June 2006 Online Status: Offline Posts: 139	Posted: 01 September 2006 at 12:04pm
	I don't think any style of art is invalid... it all depends on what your goals are, what you intend to accomplish, how you present your artwork and of course, the visual impact of your finished piece. I mean, if your goal is to create pure pixel art then that style isn't going to be compatible, but if your goal is just to make excellent artwork for your game, then that may well be the best way to go about it. As long as you're honest about the techniques you used and share your artwork in the appropriate venue I think it would be just silly to hold it against you or look at your artwork as any less valuable. There's no reason to get hung up on technique unless a specific technique is important in the creation process. Otherwise, look at the finished product and if it's good, then you're set.
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Morgan Midshipman Joined: 25 June 2006 Online Status: Offline Posts: 94	Posted: 11 September 2006 at 6:00am
	Thank you both for the feedback. Good to know that I won't be drummed out of the PJ community, even if nobody else is doing this sort of thing. Jalonso: Gamers do care about art... and I do, too. I think the approach I'm taking will let me produce quantity and quality... at least relative to what I could do by hand. My first results are up on the WIP board: http://www.pixeljoint.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3001
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