Background Blitz - Voting concluded

[Derrick Freeland]

Tier:
That is effing sweet!  Classic, and awesome.

[abstauber]

Dawn at the docks




Yarrr, me first highres pic in ages!

[cat]

Awesome backgrounds  :o
I think we didn't have a BGBlitz with that amount of high quality entries in different styles for quite some time!

[loominous]

Indeed, nice diverse entries. Voting will start in about 10 hours, anyone need a smaller extension to finish up?

[Blue]

...Um... I admit these must be hard to steer indeed.
I have no idea if it still fits the theme or if I twisted it too much.

[loominous]

Great idea there Blue, and fits well within the theme as far as I'm concerned.

So, time for voting. The voting will end tomorrow at the same time, unless less than three votes are in, so please place your vote asap!

Here are the categories, in code, for your voting convenience:

Code: ags

[b]Idea: [/b]
[b]Design: [/b]
[b]Functionality: [/b]
[b]Technique: [/b]

As well as all the entries:

[Sughly]

Idea: Pinback I really loved everyone's take on it, but the slightly ramshackle space station in the clouds sold it for me.
Design: Tier tough one to call again
Functionality: Tier - that room is full of walkable areas with so much to interact with
Technique: Pinback - the competition was very tough, for this catagory specifically, but the technique here brings so much life and beauty to the pic - very much look forward to seeing a game in this painting style! (and by the way, Tier - yours was absolutely amazing too. Very tough to split them)

Sorry to Blue and abstauber - very good entries indeed! Had a very tough competition this time round...

[Pinback]

Idea: Blue This BG is a fascinating take on the brief, nicely executed too.
Design: Tier Great design, excellent use of colour, shape and composition. A straightforward take on the brief that simply works. And works well.
Functionality: Abstauber Cool BG, and makes me want to rummage through the sacks!
Technique: Tier Awesome pixel technique.

[Chicky]

Idea: Blue Original idea, no clear walkable areas though!
Design: Pinback Very interesting and strangely organic detail, lovely atmosphere.
Functionality: Tier Great background! Lots of tiny details to examine.
Technique: Blue Great quality to the rendering and the skyline is perfect!

[Mad]

Idea: Blue - I like the twist on the topic.

Design: Tier - This BG looks like a probable space dock, has loads of depth, and I like the crisp, stringent colour scheme!

Functionality: Tier - A good camera angle with a huge walkable area, and there are so many possible, interesting hotspots.

Technique: Pinback - I just love the painted look of this, very atmospheric. Also, I am a sucker for pixelled, indexed BG...

[cat]

Idea: Blue Most creative interpretation of the topic
Design: Tier Awesome pixelart with lots of detail
Functionality: Abstauber I see puzzles with lowering and lifting creates coming up!
Technique: Pinback Great combination of pixellated lines and smooth strokes

[Atelier]

I - Blue
D - Tier
F - abstauber
T - Pinback

[Alun]

Hm... okay, here go my votes:

Idea: Blue.  A creative take on the theme.

Design: Pinback.  Interesting angles and shading, and overall a well designed picture.

Functionality: Tier.  This one and abstauber's are the two I can most see actually being a background in a game, and of the two Tier's gets the nod because it seems to have more potentially interactable areas.

Technique: Pinback.  I'm not usually a fan of low-res pictures unless they're done very well, but, well, this was done very well.

[Matt Frith]

Time for my votes!

Idea - Blue. Probably the most interesting interpretation of the theme.
Design -  Pinback. Nice composition and I really like the airship!
Functionality - Abstauber. I can already imagine a few puzzles for this one!
Technique - Pinback. I rather like this style.  It makes for a great atmosphere (also the clouds are lovely).

[Snarky]

Man, I love all of these backgrounds! So much atmosphere, so well executed.

Idea: Blue
Design: Pinback
Functionality: abstauber
Technique: Blue

Although it's almost unfair to single any one piece out, I really like Blue's very strong, simple use of brushes, creating a sense of heightened realism with a small set of colors.

[abstauber]

Idea: Pinback - I already loved the style of your MAGS game
Design: Tier  - There's so much going on in your room. Definitely something I can't do.
Functionality: Tier - again, lot's of walkable areas, hotspots and an easy perspective for the chars to fit in.
Technique: Blue - Terrific water and sky and clouds. I also like the choice of colors.

[loominous]

And the results are in:

Idea: Blue

Runner up: Pinback

Design:  Tier

Close runner up: Pinback

Functionality:  Tier

Close runner up: Abstauber

Technique:  Pinback

Runner up: Blue

-

Most overall votes:

Tie between Pinback and Tier

With Blue as a very close (one vote) runner up.

-

Since Tier got the most votes in two categories, vs Pinback's one,
I hereby select him as the next host.

-

Abstauber's entry kinda fell through the cracks during the voting, but
deserves a special mention for its interesting original style and great atmosphere.

-

Great round everybody!

[ThreeOhFour]

Just would like to say that I really liked all the entries for this competition - they were all impressive and it was fantastic to see completely different settings and styles used in each one!

Great work everyone

[Anian]

Just would like to say that I really liked all the entries for this competition - they were all impressive and it was fantastic to see completely different settings and styles used in each one!

Great work everyone

Indeed, very classy edition of this competition, I'd play a game that had any of these backgrounds.

[Ilyich]

Yes, awesomely awesome entries. Well done everyone!