AuthorTopic: [WIP] Little Ninja + Tileset (Read 21908 times)

tehwexxl0rz · **on:** May 17, 2011, 06:32:37 am

~~Just threw this together. Pretty boring and unoriginal, but it's on commission... :/~~

Virtually no color limit, ~~but I'm restricted to 16x16 pixels.~~ Any critique is much appreciated.

Character:

Tileset:

Latest:

Mush · **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2011, 07:17:10 am

I don't think you need to add any more colors: it's very readable in its current state. Can't wait to see more.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2011, 07:27:04 am

Thanks, Mush! I think the readability is good, but I feel like it's utterly lacking in personality. Maybe I'm just sick of ninjas. >_<

PypeBros · **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2011, 11:43:23 am

replacing dark-grey with purple to make it more alive ?
The wind-waving band could work better if animated slowlier

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2011, 12:49:43 am

Woohoo! I've been permitted to up the resolution to a maximum of 32x32!

New version:

Ponytail and scarf will be animated. It was meant to be a girl, but I think that barely comes across...

Phlakes · **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2011, 12:55:11 am

All the parts of the body are the same value, maybe try darkening the parts that are farther away. Should be a simple improvement.

Actually, now that I look closer, the pose looks like her lower body is facing toward the camera and the rest is only slightly pointed to the side.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2011, 02:00:35 am

Thanks for the feedback, Phlakes. Is this better?

I played with the color ramps to make them more interesting. I also altered the silhouette slightly to be more feminine and removed the diagonal line across the chest for readability.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2011, 05:11:54 am

Two-tone:

Yay/nay?

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2011, 08:17:23 am

Idle animation:

Update:

(No ponytail or scarf yet...)

Hmm... would the sprite look better without the trailing scarf? I wonder if it would be too distracting in motion.
I'm having trouble making her look feminine. I think the eyes in particular are too masculine, but it's difficult to fix at such a low resolution. :/

xeokk · **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2011, 10:20:20 am

i love your sprite and the animation also, but there are some things that are bugging me.

the clothes' higlights seemedtoo bright to look natural, so i dropped them. I also changed your hair pallette to a more saturated version and darkened the hand and foot in the back.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2011, 12:53:54 pm

Thanks a lot for the edit, xeokk! Your version has a much better sense of depth, and I really like the changes you made to the face.
Here's in update, taking some of your suggestions into account:

xeokk · **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2011, 05:41:14 pm

oh wow, i love the new colors, and the face is really great. i like it

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2011, 06:35:20 pm

Thanks, dude!

Here's an updated idle animation:

I know she's ridiculously hyper but I like it that way, hehe...

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2011, 03:55:28 am

Ponytail!

I think I like the silhouette better without the scarf trail. Thoughts?

Mush · **Reply #14 on:** May 19, 2011, 05:32:30 am

Looks very good! Not too bouncy imo.

Quote

I think I like the silhouette better without the scarf trail.

Agreed.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #15 on:** May 19, 2011, 12:35:08 pm

Thanks, Mush!

Running WIP:

PypeBros · **Reply #16 on:** May 19, 2011, 12:44:36 pm

Quote from: tehwexxl0rz on May 19, 2011, 12:35:08 pm

Running WIP:

I haven't a running ninja reference to oppose, but right now, the silouhetto suggests more Shantae's trousers to me than anything japanese.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #17 on:** May 19, 2011, 01:07:38 pm

The pants are meant to be like the girl's in this picture:

The boots just aren't quite as high. I tried making the boots knee-high when I was working on the idle pose, but it didn't read as well.
Also, the running WIP doesn't take the "skirt" part of the outfit into account, which will change the final silhouette significantly.

HughSpectrum · **Reply #18 on:** May 19, 2011, 01:15:56 pm

I think he was criticizing the style of run, rather than the clothing itself.

This is the most immediate reference for a ninja run: http://tsgk.captainn.net/?p=showgame&t=sy&sy=6&ga=188

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #19 on:** May 20, 2011, 07:11:33 am

I appreciate the feedback, but I think I'll keep this fluid style of running as opposed to a more traditional, sharp ninja-style. Establishing a consistent character is more important to me than ninja authenticity, and I think the idle animation shows the character isn't very disciplined, physically.

Here's an update:

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #20 on:** May 21, 2011, 10:36:09 am

Took a break from the run animation and got started on some tiles.

Colors are not final.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #21 on:** May 21, 2011, 01:59:01 pm

Finished half the run cycle.... looks kinda trippy.

Cyangmou · **Reply #22 on:** May 21, 2011, 04:57:03 pm

Quote from: tehwexxl0rz on May 21, 2011, 10:36:09 am

Took a break from the run animation and got started on some tiles.

What's this tile for? bottom, wall or something different?

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #23 on:** May 21, 2011, 06:17:00 pm

General platforming terrain. There will be grass on top and border tiles on the edges and corners.

Psiweapon · **Reply #24 on:** May 22, 2011, 03:16:51 am

Great!! Smooth and credible.

The first version strikes me as a girl instantly,although the latter one is more feminine. I still like the first one better. Nice colors and animation!

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #25 on:** May 22, 2011, 12:21:28 pm

Updated tileset:

I used a lot of repetition as a time-saving measure, but I hope to go back and diversify the rock formations if our schedule permits...

Psiweapons - Thanks! I wonder, what did you like better about the old version that I changed?

Cilein · **Reply #26 on:** May 22, 2011, 01:09:23 pm

Looking great so far, the two toned costume is way nicer. For the running animation her hips appear to stay at the one level the whole way through, dipping them on or just after the run frame and having them spring up a tad when pushing off might make it more realistic, giving a sense of gravity/weight to the ninja. The tiles on their own would be lovely, but probaby worth toning down the highlights a notch so they don't steal attention from the player

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #27 on:** May 22, 2011, 06:45:46 pm

Thanks for the feedback, Cilein.

It will be easier to add small details to the run once I've finished all the frames, so I'll keep that in mind. For the tiles, I think I'll try toning down the center tile, but keeping the edge tiles relatively bright to create some depth.

lithander · **Reply #28 on:** May 22, 2011, 07:03:27 pm

Wow, that looks really good. Especially the fluid animations. How much more animations/tiles are part of your contract, btw?

PypeBros · **Reply #29 on:** May 23, 2011, 09:14:47 am

Quote from: tehwexxl0rz on May 22, 2011, 12:21:28 pm

Updated tileset:

Globally rocks. I would recommend you use less separation in the grass, though, and make it more like a merged green area. At this size, separating so much brings more noise than anything else, imho.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #30 on:** May 26, 2011, 12:50:06 pm

Thanks a lot guys!

PipeBros - I like the big, chunky style of the grass, but if it looks like noise, I clearly need to work on cleaning it up... Thanks for the feedback.
lithander - No formal contract yet because he's a friend from school, but he says he'll write one up after we submit to IndieCade if I decide to stay with the project.

I'll post the finished run animation in a couple hours if all goes well....

PypeBros · **Reply #31 on:** May 26, 2011, 03:05:11 pm

Quote from: tehwexxl0rz on May 26, 2011, 12:50:06 pm

PipeBros - I like the big, chunky style of the grass, but if it looks like noise, I clearly need to work on cleaning it up... Thanks for the feedback.

It could work better if those chunks were largers. Or possibly selectively have large chunks here and there on an otherwise thin grass where you'd have colors closer to each other.

pistachio · **Reply #32 on:** May 26, 2011, 04:21:05 pm

Quote from: tehwexxl0rz on May 21, 2011, 01:59:01 pm

Finished half the run cycle.... looks kinda trippy.

Maybe my eye's becoming a bit too keen but I find that the fore-arm seems to swing back but never swing front, instead just swinging back repeatedly as if the cycle were unfinished. Probably is. (Unfinished.) I suppose you're trying to set up an illusion? Because the legs seem pretty smoothly animated... as opposed to that forearm.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #33 on:** May 26, 2011, 04:37:10 pm

Quote from: tehwexxl0rz on May 21, 2011, 01:59:01 pm

Finished half the run cycle.... looks kinda trippy.

Not trying to set up an illusion, it's just not done.

pistachio · **Reply #34 on:** May 26, 2011, 06:04:57 pm

Quote from: tehwexxl0rz on May 26, 2011, 04:37:10 pm

Not trying to set up an illusion, it's just not done.

Derp. My mistake then.

I must really be that tired to have looked over that...

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #35 on:** May 29, 2011, 01:43:24 pm

Urpdate:

Could use some cleaning up, but wanted to upload for feedback...

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #36 on:** May 31, 2011, 01:32:51 am

Working on a wall-jump sprite. Ugh, this is tricky...

Must be finished by tonight, so fast feedback would be much appreciated.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #37 on:** May 31, 2011, 02:50:45 am

Update:

Still a bit rough. Having difficulty with the higher hand overlapping the ponytail...

Froli · **Reply #38 on:** May 31, 2011, 05:46:43 am

Where did you based your run animation?
At the legs full stride the arms is already shifting halfway.. Is this natural or just used when there are like 10+ frames?
<the one with the green box is the original sprite>

Also the colors for the hand gloves is already dark so, wouldn't it best not to place those arms/hands on the same position?

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #39 on:** May 31, 2011, 06:20:13 am

I timed the arms with the back foot shoving off the ground. It seemed natural to me...

I don't really understand the crit on the arms. If they didn't swing the same way, wouldn't it look like the character had a limp or something? What do the black gloves have to do with it?

PypeBros · **Reply #40 on:** May 31, 2011, 06:51:11 am

Quote from: tehwexxl0rz on May 31, 2011, 02:50:45 am

Still a bit rough. Having difficulty with the higher hand overlapping the ponytail...

Given the angle of the head, we shouldn't see the ponytail at all, should we ?

As for the run, extending the arm when it's waving backward seems an energy-inefficient move to me. Well, I sure couldn't avoid it while running, but maybe a ninja would have a better way to flow through the air.

... or maybe that's the fact it "bounces back" with no visible pendulum that affects my judgement.

Froli · **Reply #41 on:** May 31, 2011, 07:07:55 am

Usually with run and walk animation, the other side of the body which includes the the legs and arms are darker shades. But because of the hand gloves you used <which is dark> it kinda ruins the illusion of arms taking turns specially it's placed on the exact same position.

So here I moved the hands by a pixel. I don't think it's limp at all and out of curiosity added some movement on the head

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #42 on:** May 31, 2011, 11:18:07 am

Thanks for the feedback. I darkened the far-side limbs even more so they'll hopefully be easier to distinguish:

I played around with the head motion, but it looks too much like she's shaking her head deliberately as if to say "no." The forward stare looks a lot more focused, I think.

I'll have to call the run finished for now due to time constraints...

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #43 on:** September 16, 2011, 05:18:49 am

This project just picked up again, so I thought I'd share some updates! All of these were done a few months ago.

Wall jump:

Jumping:

Smoke bomb:

(Too small... should fix it, but not a priority right now.)

Before expanding the tileset, I'd like to polish up what I've got so far. In general, I want to give the character more personality and movement. Next steps include a crouching pose and proper jumping/falling animation.

The grass in the terrain tiles could be improved, but also not a priority...

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #44 on:** September 16, 2011, 01:55:21 pm

Update:

>

~~Haven't touched the hair yet.~~

EDIT: Arms maybe too wiggly?

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #45 on:** September 17, 2011, 07:40:03 am

Updated with new hair animation. Is the ponytail too snappy, do you think?

pistachio · **Reply #46 on:** September 17, 2011, 07:43:37 am

Frankly I prefer the subtlety of the previous one. Overall the new version just seems too snappy overall, not just the ponytail/hair. With some adjustments to the hair of the last version, I think that would be a better option... But that's just my opinion.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #47 on:** September 17, 2011, 07:49:21 am

Hey, opinions are what I'm here for!

I definitely prefer some things about the new version like the face and the cloth animation, but the hair I could definitely reign in a bit, and I was leaning toward reverting to the old arms anyway. Thanks for the feedback.

Candy Man Criminal · **Reply #48 on:** September 17, 2011, 07:55:25 am

dawwwwww, its cute

and also a bit more subtlety on top of the old hair would be good
i dont think the bangs should flop around so much

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #49 on:** September 17, 2011, 08:36:42 am

Thanks!

Update:

>

Happy medium?

EDIT: Frig. I think I was so bored of looking at the old sprite I took the edit way too far. I like the hair and face, but I think I need to dial back the other changes.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #50 on:** September 17, 2011, 03:13:35 pm

OKAY! Final idle animation?

>

pistachio · **Reply #51 on:** September 17, 2011, 03:35:39 pm

Looks pretty good, but I think his/her outfit is still moving a bit too much (torso-piece/scarf seems more unnatural here). With that change,I think the animation would be pretty much done, or at least better, if it doesn't make the hair seem to have too much motion paired with it.

EDIT: Ponytail's acting strange, too, as if it's missing a frame.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #52 on:** September 20, 2011, 10:11:15 pm

Thanks for the feedback. (Is it not clearly a girl?

)

The clothing is meant to be very loose-fitting like the girl's in this picture, so I think It should move quite a bit:

Do you think that explanation is sufficient, or do you still think it looks wrong?

I smoothed out the motion of the ponytail and improved the bangs. Also experimented with some specular highlights:

>

Can't decide how I feel about the highlights... What say y'all?

EDIT: Made some minor tweaks.

Seiseki · **Reply #53 on:** November 08, 2011, 11:05:31 pm

Will you be working more on this?
I just played bullet ninja and thought it was really nice, but lacking in some variation when it comes to graphics and level design

Also, your tiles look quite dark and repetitive, I'd try larger rocks and brightening them.

edit: Here's the link which caught my eye, recognized the graphics

http://indiegames.com/2011/11/browser_game_pick_bullet_time_.html

PypeBros · **Reply #54 on:** November 09, 2011, 08:23:26 am

my take at the pony-tail-wall-pose problem (better late than never?)

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #55 on:** November 09, 2011, 11:23:52 am

Hey, guys! Thanks for the feedback!

Seiseki, your critique is spot-on, but I'm sorry to say I'm no longer actively involved in the project.
Although I was originally just contributing art, I worked as a co-designer for 6 months until the creator and I parted ways due to creative differences.
Nonetheless, I would like to complete the character's animation set for a portfolio piece, but right now I have other projects that take priority.

Viscis · **Reply #56 on:** November 09, 2011, 12:28:28 pm

I really like this little ninja, also I found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0dS-swAsN2E

Nice to see it in action!

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #57 on:** December 03, 2011, 07:22:39 am

Sorry to kick up an old thread.

It seems I won't be receiving any credit in future versions of Bullet Time Ninja.
My artwork has been removed and I am not receiving any payment.

I know the programmer is looking for a pixel artist to replace the art in this thread, so I felt obligated to share with you this information....

Thanks.

Mathias · **Reply #58 on:** December 03, 2011, 08:04:58 am

Screw PM's. Let's hear about it. Scandalous indies should all be exposed.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #59 on:** December 03, 2011, 08:33:10 am

Mathias, I would love to explain the situation in detail, but I'm worried that any direct accusations I could make in a public forum could be legally interpreted as slander.

tehwexxl0rz · **Reply #60 on:** December 03, 2011, 08:46:54 am

[redacted]

Never work without a contract, folks!

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AuthorTopic: [WIP] Little Ninja + Tileset (Read 21908 times)