A lot of developers have been using graphics they havn't made, or made for them. This is usually OK with the society when it is a public resource, though it gets into gray areas when using sprite sheets for different gaming programs/consoles and such(IE: GB, RPG Maker, etc...). Here is an insight on that exact subject...
Graphics are used to show what the developer images his game would look like, graphics not made for your game have a different style than you may want, and can pop out compared to other graphics. This isn't such a bad idea though when they have a very high quality you might say. Not mentioning the illegal properties of this, any game can use these graphics aswell, which would lower the quality of your game. They will stand out to people who have already seen them and feel they are playing the same game(Or maybe just worse). People may quit cause of it, and your game is actually a "rip" in BYOND's standards. So its usually a bad idea to do this.
Though people may say they can't draw as good as the graphics they use, and they can't find an artist to draw nearly as good as that. So they use these better graphics they need. Originality is a very high standard in all games, though quality is up there with it maybe higher. When making said game you have to know the pro's and con's to both, originality will take longer and will be more challenging to you(To either draw, or find an artist). While quality can be done by just finding a sprite sheet and assisigning when they are used, a lot easier. Though if you have balance of originality and quality your game can be better than one that focuses on the other.
Meaning, if you can make original graphics with a high quality, rather than making original graphics(With a low quality) or using sprite sheets; they will fit, look good, and raise the overall game quality. Though i'm not saying everything has to be completely original, you may use references, fan-games and such, though the gamers will expect a higher quality to keep a balance. Thus why great original games can have bad graphics(SS13, LRS), and unoriginal great fan-games have very good graphics(GOA). Usually you won't see the other way around for both.
Just keep that in mind while developing games to make it easier on you and still have a great game made(So you don't need to completely worry about some stuff, if you find a balance it can be done faster).
Also, now that I found out I could post i'll be posting more.
Jan 26 2009, 5:25 pm
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Flav_Flamez34
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Nice topic, Baka this should be useful to some developers that think their overworking or underworking with their games quality.
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A lot of times quality and originality can go hand in hand, and then sometimes they can outright be completely different. When you try to focus and straight originality you can sometimes sacrifice gameplay and visual quality, and visa verso.
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True. I really don't understand what is so hard about actually trying to find a good pixel artist if you are really that dedicated to the game. Most people say the graphics are temp. But end up being too lazy to replace them later on. So that's why I wait till I have a suitable team for the job.
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Troy1121 wrote:
True. I really don't understand what is so hard about actually trying to find a good pixel artist if you are really that dedicated to the game. Most people say the graphics are temp. But end up being too lazy to replace them later on. So that's why I wait till I have a suitable team for the job. That's why people like you will never release a decent game, your one of those people who go, "Looking for a team for next big rpg" or something to that effect. The only good way to do it on BYOND is to work on the project and hopefully spike an artists interest along the way. | |
So wait, you are saying is that you use WOTS icons before you find an artist? It sets up your game much better getting a team before the actual game. Most people will decline your offer because of the fact that you're the only one who is on the team.
Edit: Many people are setting up their games like that because it is a much more stable fitting idea. If I am correct you said you just hopefully going to find a Pixel Artist. In what world are you living in may I ask? | |
Well i started out sort of how this goes.
Meh, nowadays people wouldn't even look twice at a rip but about year or some months ago, you could actually get very skilled artist if you had a rip that played well. That was the case for me, all i did was replace all the icons with GBA game icons a "fancy(now retarded)" statbar and evened out the battle calculation and training. Voila i had 2 artist and started to program original stuff a little bit after i found it completely annoying to sift through someone's code which was near completely un-organized... | |
Its a lot easier for you if everything is made by you. Organization is not needed when you should be the only one looking at it(Though it does help!). This goes with code and graphics.
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Stand in graphics? Who tell hell said they had to be ripped stuff? I use stand in graphics all the time that I make myself. I put 1 minute of effort into a simplistic stickman or colorful turf and it suits me just fine!
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Rtbbvr wrote:
Stand in graphics? Who tell hell said they had to be ripped stuff? I use stand in graphics all the time that I make myself. I put 1 minute of effort into a simplistic stickman or colorful turf and it suits me just fine! Edit: Remember not all are Pixel Artist. Also to me it is still more stable having a team. Just in case I need em, so I have no intent to stop production (unless it's a personal problem). Also my bad for roaming so many topics xD | |
I'd just like to point out one thing about "RPG Maker graphics". Unless they are from a commercial game, or included in the RPG Makers RTP, it is not illegal to use them.
http://www.tekepon.net/fsm/index.php The graphics this website provides are RPG Maker graphics. But the terms of use for them clearly says you can freely use them for anything else you want to. They even say you can sell games made with the resources if you so desire. I don't think you could consider using graphics like these "ripping", because they are designed with every intention that people use them. The majority of RPG Maker graphics generally fall into a category the same as the above example. | |
The Magic Man wrote:
I'd just like to point out one thing about "RPG Maker graphics". Unless they are from a commercial game, or included in the RPG Makers RTP, it is not illegal to use them. | |
when was GOA promoted to 'great fan-game.."?
o.o does the majority of people on Byond really care that much? considering most of them still play rip games that have nothing good going for them? Im pretty sure aslong as you HAVE A BIG BAEEEEM! or OVA 9000 JUTSUZ you can attract enough Byondnubs to have a succesful game that lacks quality and/or orginality. Also add in a group of attentionwhore GMs/Admins and you have a very good game by Byond standards | |