There is merit to the idea, though perhaps not to the solutions.

Whilst the mechanics might be the similar : sending in a potential review for moderation and possible inclusion in the employers thread / sending in a review potentially giving or removing a strike which can result in being restricted from this forum section. What would prevent reading this forum from a new account and then PM'ing or emailing the potential employer from your main account without then needing to enter this forum?

Any work relationship formed over the internet is intrinsically based upon trust. But whilst we have an employer reviews thread, there is less available for the other side, and even as a possible employee (on whose side this setup is slightly in favour) I do see it as slightly unfair and lacking.

Perhaps there should be some kind of 'reviews' thread, and artists could be encouraged to have their employer (paid or unpaid) send in a comment or complete a simple questionaire after a completed job. I would far rather see a thread that praised the good rather than one that only had a few negative comments on the bad. Not everyone that might apply for a job offer has a portfolio thread that could be commented on, but anyone who is interested in taking up work from this section of the site could have their name added to the list in such a thread. Possibly even with everyone starting out with a 3-star rating that improves with good feedback, and might drop with too much negative feedback.  Whilst stars and occasional comments might not give a complete picture, it would at least give a vague indication to a new-coming potential employer who doesn't have much else other than postcount (and submitted samples) to go by - and may not be familiar enough themselves with pixel art to distinguish genuine quality.

References are one possible solution, but not always fully reliable. Also, sometimes not available from older work/clients, they can inconvenience people, and are not always available due to confidentiality / possible clashes of interest or many other reasons. Whereas a review from a previous advertiser here after completion of a job means there is little need to ever trouble the client repeatedly for references, and it bypasses the need for an old client and potential new one to have to deal with each other. So a sort of 'references'/employee rating thread could be a useful addition for employers and employees alike.

For the good artists with good history, this only helps to show their reliability and credibility.

For those with bad reviews (perhaps only shown as fewer stars) they will have to work harder and possibly offer reduce rates to try and rebuild those fences they broke along their path.

-Z-

Awesome play-through Helm hehe you make it look *so* much easier than I ever remember it being. Then again.. I don't think I ever realised about the animation invincibility frames back then.

Great commentary too an interesting read - though in many places required constant pausing to make sure to read both it and any onscreen dialogue etc. Watching the playthrough again, that last New Washington work mission just seems so bizarre.. I mean woot.. we have a faulty board in the main electric power supply for the city..and going in to replace it will trigger a 90second self detonation sequence..  anyone with a work permit who wants the job can have it.. no extra credentials required.. the power for the city rests in your hands stranger.. good luck and p.s. please don't fail or we'll all be buggered.

I remembered the Death Tower stuff very clearly. That (at the time) seemed to be a pretty sudden 'difficulty' jump but also remember the lovely street scene and getting the taxi. Oddly however, I couldn't remember the last level(s) at all - though the ending I could recall. Whenever I have flashback of Flashback though it is always of the first zone. Beautiful art, excellent control of level design, good use of puzzles, and very nicely allows you to experiment and familiarise yourself with the controls and mechanics.

Anyway.. a nice trip down memory lane that I probably wouldn't have had without your uploads. I will at some point find the time to give the game another play - and will pay attention to the invicibility moments

Thanks for sharing that.

-Z-

As much as they are both great photos showing what *can* be done to windows, I'm not sure the viewpoint is all that relevant to the 3/4 view of the piece in question seeming as you are looking down not up. I guess you'ld really be seeing the grass/gound in the reflected windows instead of sky, but I'm not sure how weird that would look.



or

http://www.wealddown.co.uk/images%20historic%20building/market_square_aerial_view.jpg
http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/aa/elev_lr544502351_1000.jpg
http://www.planetware.com/i/photo/washington-white-house-presidents-park-washington-d-c-dcwh2.jpg
http://www.planetware.com/i/photo/palace-of-holyrood-house-edinburgh-sco531.jpg

Probably better other example images out there, but these were from a quick google image search for 'aerial view house'

-Z-

I very rarely seem to do anything like 'spaceships' etc so I thought I'd have a closer look and play with yours - keeping the same design (well.. adjusted slightly) and same palette (though in Z-2 I altered the colours slightly)

My aim really was to try and add some solidity to the ship instead of it seeming like a wafer thin and flimsy looking ship (especially as the player would want to feel powerful in it) However, in playing around with the shading etc I think I have altered the viewing angle too much. Still.. it was mostly a self-test to fill a few spare moments, but thought I'd share my results with you in case in gave you some ideas or whatever.



-Z-

I'll take that Number 38 if you don't mind

-Z-



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Edit:

Done and submitted