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A fun 2D retro platformer inspired by Sonic games and a game creation system

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#1 2018-08-28 19:37:22

KZR
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Registered: 2010-07-14
Posts: 1,447
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[Suggestion] using OGA assets

seeing as we are in need of level graphics and perhaps even some sprites, we could check opengameart.org for stuff that we need that is compatibly licensed.

There is a wealth of stuff at OGA that can easily be adapted to OS. I'm currently working on universal brickset templates, a collision mask that can easily be reskinned to fit different levels, and that makes tileset images interchangeable. Once I'm done with this, I'd gladly help adapting existing graphics and OGA assets.

EDIT:

Silly me, I see you already have a good template, worth expanding on. I'll try and skin it for SSP

EDIT 2:

Work in progress

s002.png s003.png s004.png s005.png

Last edited by KZR (2018-08-28 21:48:06)


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#2 2018-08-28 22:08:10

Alexandre
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From: Brazil
Registered: 2009-01-27
Posts: 3,300
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Re: [Suggestion] using OGA assets

I personally use OGA a lot. Even though OGA has many assets, we need to ensure a consistent art style for Open Surge.

If you would like to contribute to the Open Surge game, please try to make graphics in a style similar to Knuckles Chaotix smile

(our old SSP brickset isn't very good, to be frank)

maxresdefault.jpg
knuckles_chaotix_32x_ingame_1869.png2.gif
300px_Knuckles_Chaotix_32_X_Marina_Madness_Boss.gif3.gif
1497000935_hqdefault.jpg
KCSSlider_L4.png

Another question is what is the best way to make bricksets. We can make individual solid pieces (like I did in my template), repeatable chunks of fixed size with custom collision masks (like Race did in his brickset), or both. The idea is to produce the best level design possible.

Speaking of level design, I would like Sunshine Paradise to take inspiration on Palmtree Panic, from Sonic CD smile

ppz_2_present.png

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#3 2018-08-28 23:50:02

KZR
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Registered: 2010-07-14
Posts: 1,447
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Re: [Suggestion] using OGA assets

the way I see it, it's better to go with a mixed approach, big chunks for the basic level design, and some smaller details that can be laid over/under the level design.

I can see where you're going with the style. I just tried to match the color palette of the background. is that also subject to change?

Edit:

s006.png

I like this pattern and colors a lot. making it look 3D-ish is going to be challenging though. What do you think?

Edit 2:

s007.png

A bit trickier to tile right. brick flipping was very useful but some bricks need rotated versions (ramps, tunnels).

Also a suggestion, we could have the acts for this zone take place at different day times, so we can use different color schemes

another thing I noticed is that like "loop" objects, we need something similar to force players to roll, because it is possible to run inside tunnels.

Edit 3:

I think I'm getting onto something here

s009.png

s010.png

Edit 4:

Made some improvements to the grass bits

s011.png

Last edited by KZR (2018-08-29 15:31:00)


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#4 2018-08-29 15:52:51

Alexandre
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Re: [Suggestion] using OGA assets

No, I don't think it's good enough yet.

We have our Art Specification Document that can be used as a reference (by the way, I should update it smile)

Basically speaking, we're looking for a 1995-ish retro-style pixel art that looks really good.

It is not necessary to replicate the exact textures; it's just that Knuckles Chaotix has that pixel art that looks great, with lighting and so on. For the first level, we're looking for a mix between the vivid colors of Palmtree Panic, the beautiful pixel style of Knuckles Chaotix, and some originality as well.

KZR wrote:

I can see where you're going with the style. I just tried to match the color palette of the background. is that also subject to change?

Yes, that background is going to change. Sunset Paradise is just a test level, and I picked a background that looked sweet for that purpose. http://opensnc.sourceforge.net/wiki/ind … e_Paradise

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#5 2018-08-30 08:59:41

TheSeventhEmerald
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From: Spain
Registered: 2010-04-19
Posts: 302

Re: [Suggestion] using OGA assets

I would say the passable bricks need a bit more of work. The grass and dirt looks awesome, and I believe it fits the Knuckles Chaotix style.

These graphics could be a nice starting point to have a definitive brickset for Sunshine Paradise. smile


Piece of cake...!

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#6 2018-09-01 02:17:39

Alexandre
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From: Brazil
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Re: [Suggestion] using OGA assets

Regarding the background of Sunshine Paradise, take a look at the act 1 of this game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j3GlgraO5A

See that the background (not so much the platforms) is pixel art with vivid colors. I see something as colorful as that for Sunshine Paradise. A beautiful first level, that causes an excellent first impression to the viewer. Blue sky. The platforms can take inspiration on Palmtree Panic (Sonic CD) - with that orange/vivid green.

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#7 2018-09-02 00:43:24

SilverstepP
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From: North Carolina
Registered: 2009-07-31
Posts: 1,545

Re: [Suggestion] using OGA assets

Alexandre wrote:

Regarding the background of Sunshine Paradise, take a look at the act 1 of this game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j3GlgraO5A

See that the background (not so much the platforms) is pixel art with vivid colors. I see something as colorful as that for Sunshine Paradise. A beautiful first level, that causes an excellent first impression to the viewer. Blue sky. The platforms can take inspiration on Palmtree Panic (Sonic CD) - with that orange/vivid green.

Honestly, maybe there should be more distance from the classic games with the stage concept itself. For example, seeing as the name is Sunshine Paradise, has water already implemented into its stage design, and is really close to Waterworks Zone, maybe it could be better off as a beach stage instead of a Green Hill clone. So many modern Sonic games are using/rehashing Green Hill constantly. (Sonic Forces, Sonic Generations, Sonic Mania)

Keep in mind this is the very first stage a person will see, their first experience with the gameplay, and probably the part of the game that will have the most exposure to the internet (screenshots, youtube videos, etc). This is the single most important stage in the entire game.

There should be a focus on originality and experimentation for level concepts given the engine is literally built for it. The high contrast style and vivid colors are something to definitely keep, but the game should go for creative themes that haven't been seen as much in Sonic games. It would likely draw in more people and lower the amount of opinions along the lines of 'It's just a Sonic game with different characters and I'd rather play Mania instead'.

Last edited by SilverstepP (2018-09-02 00:47:13)

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#8 2018-09-02 21:01:59

KZR
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Registered: 2010-07-14
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Re: [Suggestion] using OGA assets

I remember making a very early prototype with a beach setting that also got rejected, but I really think this is the best start. Sunshine paradise as it is described could very well be an early to mid game stage. not only that but the beach setting would allow us to integrate natural occurrences in the level design, like dunes, rock formations, etc. and to somehow justify the palm trees.
I picture some colorful tropical fish swimming around in the water sections, reef corals and seaweed. a glimmering golden beach followed by what would be the connection to SSP, lush green with the blue sea and maybe some islands in the background.

maybe even have some "spinboats" as gimmick, basically a boat which you activate by spindashing. we could make a cool section for this with high speeds and jumps, maybe even connecting it to a boss by a scripted boat crash

Last edited by KZR (2018-09-02 21:04:25)


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#9 2018-09-03 00:34:38

Alexandre
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From: Brazil
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Posts: 3,300
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Re: [Suggestion] using OGA assets

I believe we have to try out a few themes before commiting. It can be a paradisiacal resort (hey, it's Sunshine Paradise).

In my view, we should have a lot of bright orange and green, regardless of the specific theme (resort, beach, etc).

I really like the resort idea, as it gives plenty of room for creativity. New gimmicks can come, too. smile

Let me mention that the art/graphics and the brickset layout are two different things. I suggest we work on the art first, try out a few concepts, so we get a better idea of how things will look like in the game.

Wiki: http://opensnc.sourceforge.net/wiki/ind … e_Paradise

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#10 2018-09-12 15:59:29

KZR
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Registered: 2010-07-14
Posts: 1,447
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Re: [Suggestion] using OGA assets

The art style in Chaotix reminds me of Tyrian, which by the way has its assets on CC-BY 3.0.

https://opengameart.org/content/remaste … graphics-0

There's a lot more to it than just the previews. all the game's art is there.

If you'd like me to use some of these tiles as textures to skin bricksets with, I'd be glad to. Even if just for a temporary measure, in order to keep level art consistent for a first release with most if not all levels.

Last edited by KZR (2018-09-12 16:00:30)


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#11 2018-09-12 17:51:01

Alexandre
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Re: [Suggestion] using OGA assets

I tend to believe it's best to make graphics.

I was watching the video below and, though it displays a different style, see how graphics are very 'solid' (Sonic CD-style, with more colors)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBLIUUodW8c

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#12 2018-09-13 14:09:08

KZR
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Registered: 2010-07-14
Posts: 1,447
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Re: [Suggestion] using OGA assets

I see what you mean. depth. not flat like 8bit for example.
I really enjoyed the art direction in Sonic Mania through and through. To achieve this style from scratch might take longer, that's why I suggested we use these temporarily just to make it easier for people to start working on the actual levels.


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#13 2018-09-13 15:41:46

Alexandre
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From: Brazil
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Posts: 3,300
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Re: [Suggestion] using OGA assets

KZR wrote:

I see what you mean. depth. not flat like 8bit for example.

Yes, this is what I mean smile Depth and lighting.

When I point out Knuckles Chaotix or Sonic CD 'with more colors', I don't mean an exact replica, but rather an art style in those lines.

Sonic Mania has great art too.

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