AuthorTopic: Tank Game Tileset - Critique Encouraged  (Read 5056 times)

Offline Teknogames

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Tank Game Tileset - Critique Encouraged

on: June 08, 2010, 05:50:36 pm
I am currently making graphic assets for a commercial tank game that is looking for a style a little similar to Advance Wars.

I have been fuddling with tile sets for a while, but I'm just not happy with the results. Knowing that color choice is a highly important aspect of pixel art, I messed with the palette a lot, but I know that that isn't the only source of my dissatisfaction.

Here was the first tile set test (Though thank god we will have no plains level)


Then I made a snowcaps tile set that just turned out way too colorful


I messed with the colors and found that I liked the blue look, and the bounce light on the rocks, though the look was still odd




P.S. Does anyone know how to copy tiles in Promotion?


My friend Tyler suggested I research some snow, and take notice how there is little to no detail in it. My art director insisted that higher parts of the level be brighter than lower parts, so I strayed from using white in the lower part. This one is currently my favorite, but something about the high contrast from cliff to snow bugs me. And the random detailed floor is a bit off too.


What do you guys suggest I do?
« Last Edit: June 08, 2010, 07:23:55 pm by Teknogames »
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Offline Anarkhya

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Re: Tank Game Tileset - Critique Encouraged

Reply #1 on: June 08, 2010, 08:41:24 pm
From my gaming experience, ingame snow is often related to blue, so I suggest to bluish your grey a little:



3rd image: I also found the high contrast of the cliffs unpleasant, large areas of plain #fff are a problem in itself, a kind of half visible pattern could change that, or something like snow dunes (!)

Offline Teknogames

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Re: Tank Game Tileset - Critique Encouraged

Reply #2 on: June 08, 2010, 09:51:34 pm
I took a totally new stab at it, and I am pleased with the result. The trees are a bit weird... And the green ground is supposed to be dirty snow ground and not water. thoughts?
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Offline CrazyMLC

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Re: Tank Game Tileset - Critique Encouraged

Reply #3 on: June 08, 2010, 11:29:44 pm
Looking better. It's a little harder to tell that it's a looping texture.

The reason that the trees look weird is because most trees shed their leaves in the winter. ;)

Also, I'd try adding frost on buildings, etc.


Anarkhya's example is brilliant, I recommend taking a closer look.
« Last Edit: June 08, 2010, 11:32:40 pm by CrazyMLC »

Offline Lizzrd

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Re: Tank Game Tileset - Critique Encouraged

Reply #4 on: June 09, 2010, 08:01:46 am
Pine trees do not.
They could use some snow on them though.
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Offline Anarkhya

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Re: Tank Game Tileset - Critique Encouraged

Reply #5 on: June 09, 2010, 01:01:36 pm
It's a little harder to tell that it's a looping texture.
Also, I'd try adding frost on buildings, etc.

I second this. You managed to break the loop, except for the dirty snow ground which using too repetitive shapes.
Also, IMO, trees need redesign, they're a bit off, leaves too fat probably.
These are strong pine trees you may learn of: Gypsy Forest (RPG tiles)
« Last Edit: June 10, 2010, 11:45:08 am by Anarkhya »

Offline Teknogames

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Re: Tank Game Tileset - Critique Encouraged

Reply #6 on: June 11, 2010, 08:42:45 pm
Here's another take. Added frost on the walls, made the dirty snow less repetitive, and redid the pines
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Offline Anarkhya

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Re: Tank Game Tileset - Critique Encouraged

Reply #7 on: June 11, 2010, 11:18:20 pm
Nice! These pine trees are getting better, but IMO their new shape make you loose the topdown view effect, actually I cant define if these trees are lying down the snow or not.

Also, regarding your rock tile, I've spotted a loop that could be unpleasant.