Tiny Kitchen Background... Opinions?

frankenberger · Tue 02/05/2006 01:38:16

Hi everyone.

I've been working on a tiny game and I was wondering if I could get some constructive criticism on the background I just completed.

The blank space surrounding the big image is going to be filled with GUIs when I get around to making them.

100% -

Cropped & Resized Detail - 200% -

Scummbuddy · Tue 02/05/2006 05:40:36

First of all, its absolutely gorgeous.

Then I'd like to say that we wouldn't normally see the clouds in the window, at the angle we're looking down at. And we should see more of the fridge, as in its dimensions.

Keep up the great work! can't wait to see more!

frankenberger · Tue 02/05/2006 06:01:37

Thanks!

I see what you mean about the clouds. It's a fifth-floor apartment window, but I guess if I'm going to be picky about it I'd have to make that more evident by doing something with the exterior of the building. I'll get rid of the clouds.

The fridge does look a little flat now that I think about it, but I'm too lazy to make new walkcycles for it if I added any dimension.

A walking, talking fridge. Heh. What will they think of next?

sergiocornaga · Tue 02/05/2006 06:19:22

I like the style of the room, and I feel too many alterations could kill that style.

ildu · Tue 02/05/2006 10:02:36

I love the style of the bg, very unique and cartoony. I love the color scheme quite a lot as well. But there are some perspective and compositional issues:

- The fridge has no perspective. Just add a hint of a side to it. It's not a lot of work to do the same for all animation frames.

- The washing counter has incorrect perspective. It doesn't really matter since your style is quite quirky anyways.

- The window shouldn't show the sky, as was already mentioned.

- The room looks very empty. You should add some stuff particularly to the left side of the room. Paintings, a sofa, a tv, a counter, plants, etc. Try to keep the objects as personal to the character who lives in there, and make them a little obscure in nature, which would suit your art style best. I guess some of the objects are already obscure, like the dancing and talking fridge

.

- Add a carpet!!

Anyhow, looks great so far

.

Nikolas · Tue 02/05/2006 11:38:10

Ildu: Isn't it a kitchen? What kind of sofa or carpet could fit into a kitchen?

Gorgeous BG! Looking forward to the game!

Dr. Scary · Tue 02/05/2006 15:56:52

There should be some supporting beams inside the right hand wall.
And maybe chose a slightly darker blue for the sky outside.
Other than that you have a very cool style going!

Afflict · Tue 02/05/2006 16:07:39

This is a very kewl BG like the style keep it.

Looks awesome, hand drawn in scanned in would be my guess keep it up cant wait for this zombie bob...

ildu · Tue 02/05/2006 19:55:35

Quote from: Nikolas on Tue 02/05/2006 11:38:10Ildu: Isn't it a kitchen? What kind of sofa or carpet could fit into a kitchen?

Woah. I was totally under the impression that it was a whole apartment :S. But it doesn't refute much of my critique.

biothlebop · Tue 02/05/2006 20:15:58

-Those bricks are huge (the floor tiles seem to be the only ones in almost the same scale)
-I'd like the far wall to have at least a thin white fill on the top like the other two
-Make the line along the bottom left wall a little more handdrawn (the other line-tool lines don't matter since they are broken by objects)

Pretty, reminds me of Eartbound somehow.

stu · Tue 02/05/2006 20:50:56

Yeh, decent kitchen background.
But I wouldn't exactly call it a 'tiny' kitchen.

fovmester · Wed 03/05/2006 06:51:27

Looks nice, but I agree that you wouldn't see any clouds from this angle.

Another thing: You must have a gigantic GUI to fill up that huge blank space!

frankenberger · Wed 03/05/2006 22:21:18

Thanks for all the input, everyone.

I can only grab a few minutes online today, but I'll post an update of the background the next time I get a chance.

The middle of the room is a little empty for a puzzle-related reason, but I'm sure I can add some more items around the place.

And the GUI is pretty big too. I'll have to remember to post a screenshot too, when I can.

Darkmaster400 · Sun 07/05/2006 21:24:41

This is so.... well, i love it. Somehow I dont really like the bricks and wire inside the walls..
BUT dont worry about that, it is just me..

Adios,

frankenberger · Mon 08/05/2006 04:17:45

A bit of an update. I took a screenshot this time, so as to give an impression of the overall look of the game.

The grey thing up the top is like the light inside the fridge, it goes yellow when clicked, brings up the options menu. The great big shelf down the bottom is the inventory GUI, and there will eventually be some more GUIs down both sides, like a good/evil meter and a cash counter.

pslim · Mon 08/05/2006 04:20:37

I LOVE the inventory GUI. LOVE. IT.

dsg_charly · Wed 10/05/2006 11:55:47

Well, don't you think the playground is really small ?

I mean, the room takes a really little place in your game. A lot of space lost.

Apart of this, I think eerything is well drawn.

Mad · Wed 10/05/2006 14:53:43

Your style and especially the inventory GUI are just plain... well I'd normally say cool, but refrigerated would fit this better!

But I'll have to agree with dsg_charly in saying the actual room is too small!

I am to lazy to put my suggestions to word, so I mocked up this collage to give you a alternative idea, how you could place your GUI elements:

I hope this helps and your not screeming at the top of your voice, cursing this defiler of your art!

Chicky · Wed 10/05/2006 15:49:40

Now that's what i was thinking, why run a 640 res when the background is small enough to fit 320.

frankenberger · Thu 11/05/2006 22:28:20

Hmm... I kinda wanted it to be small in the finished game though.

If I made it 320x240 then it would all be stretched out and pixellated during play, instead of neat and compact with a kind of non-immersing dollhouse feel to it. Also, I need all that extra space at the sides for more guis.

I'll think some more about it.