Pixel-Joy.com Site Header

[Pixel-Joy.com]

Hello, I am the co-creator of Pixel-Joy.com, a soon to be active gaming website.

This is the header for the website, and I would really appreciate any and all helpful C+C, as this is going to be a real investment for me.

I will also be posting other stuff shortly, right now, I am just mocking up the web page to start off with.

An important note: I already know about this websites zoom feature (I am a artist who frequented here a few years ago) and the zoomed images purpose is that the header is actually going to appear at that size on the website (as well as the rest of the site being that way.) I want the whole website to kinda scream pixel art... but scream softly lol.

Pixel Joy Logo and Pixel Joy Panda are © Austin Way 2008

EDIT: Yeah, sorry about that... I blame imageshack for not giving me a "true" direct link to the image.

[Quake]

::EDIT::
thanks..

I like the textbox, but what kind of pixel website is it?

My first impression from the pixel art was a place where limited colours were allowed. Such as older game consoles. Eg, Gameboy Colour.

If i was you, i'd make the panda more shaded/ modern looking.

Said that, i do think it looks cool.. looks a very fun website.

[Pixel-Joy.com]

I don't want to bump it... but I am going to to try and get Quake back in here. I'll put a reply to his comment here if he decides to edit.

[Jim16]

Is there actually a website yet? If so can you send me a link?
The header is good, other than your panda. Which doesn't scream ultimate coolness. If you are going to make something, then do a good and proper job of it. But I guess thats why your here.

in that case..I think AA can be used on the panda and some extra detail added.

[Pixel-Joy.com]

The link is Pixel-Joy.com, however, I have *only* registered the domain name, there is no hosting yet.

Ok, I'll AA the panda and repost... what do you mean by extra detail though?

Also, do you guys think the hearts over .com are too much. I copy pasted them because it just felt strange that it was empty.

Also, how is my aa on the text and the bubble... i have a lot of aa experience, but I'm not sure I nailed it.

EDIT:


Okay, I think my AA is spot-on except for the heart above the panda... it looks pillow shaded. Maybe I should use something different over the pandas head or something.

The only thing I think is wrong with my AA is that my color ramping isn't properly done. Anyone have a link to the AA program by silvir?

[Quake]

By adding more detail to the panda, i meant..

Add more colours if needed, add distinct features not just have flat colours. Make it more elaborate.

And, the AA on the text is ok

I would also get rid of the heart, looks kind of cheap and tacky (not your pixel, just the idea).. Maybe add something like a paintbrush i don't know.. just something more related.

[Pixel-Joy.com]

Ok, I might as well tell the whole story then, so people aren't confused.

The site, Pixel-Joy.com is going to be sort of a retro gaming site, with custom made games in flash. I actually want to make either a 32 or a 64 color palette for the whole site, which would also be used in games. Should I maybe make a thread for getting a 32/64 color palette together? Would that be a better start?

As far as elaborating the panda, it is kinda supposed to be cute and oversimplified looking... otherwise I'd pixel a real panda head lol. Um, yeah, the heart isn't working over the pandas head >_< but I think I'll leave ones over .com, I also like the nice red/blue contrast they bring. A paintbrush would be good for a site like... well this one lol, but any ideas for a game website... I am drawing a serious blank lol.

Also, I am worried that maybe the font I made isn't "fun" enough. I'm not trying to make my site cheesy and flashy, but I do want it to be very inviting. You guys prolly think I'm worrying to much, but, I am dedicating a lot of my time and effort and money to make this project happen so i want to make everything the best it can be

[Quake]

well, what kind of website do you want it? all like.. fluffy looking etc. Eg.http://www.sanrio.com/

Or what?

Also, if you're doing a retro pixel site, then the panda will look fine. Although, i don't believe they AA'd in Retro games. Anyway, i just think you need to tell us or work out the overall picture. I mean, what kind of website you're making, target audience (not just pixel artists, more precise). Then, think how you're going to do it. From your posts, you seem to be not sure. You might not be, but you seem to add extra bits in which you could've posted up the top If i sound mean, sorry.

-Quake

[Pixel-Joy.com]

I'm sorry I didn't explain my self correctly. It is going to game website, featuring games made by me.

They did AA in retro games... however it usually wasn't "in" gameplay. They did it on title screens and stuff... which is kinda what the panda is I guess.

The target audience is people who want to play free games online, and enjoy a more classic look and feel.

What do you think I should use for my sites color restriction, 32 or 64 colors...

Your not being mean... I'm just having trouble explaining myself ;_; lol

Right now my biggest issue I think is the color now. I am gonna work on a palette for the site first and then I will comeback with a larger mockup of Pixel-Joy.com

[Quake]

ok sounds cool

I'd go for a 64 colour palette. more diversity.

[Pixel-Joy.com]

I made a palette thread in general forum if you guys wanna check that out.

I probably will go with 64 unless someone gives me a damn good reason for 32 heh

[Dr D]

Less colors usually means more of a retro look.

[infinitegames]

I think you should leave it the way it was: flat and non-antialiased. It's pretty obvious that that's exactly what you were going for (a more 8-bit look) and I can't understand why anyone would tell you to change that. It looked good. The antialiasing just makes it look blurry and there's really no reason to add extraneous details if they don't serve any purpose.

[Pixel-Joy.com]

Hmmm... I see what you mean. Maybe I could do a bit less AA, but without any AA, doesn't it seem a little bit harsh?

I want the site to still be usable.

EDIT:

Updated, everything seems to be shaped up and good to go. Just need to think of something to fill the empty space.



EDIT:



Updated, everything tightend and I found something to fill the empty area.

[32]

I don't think an AA'd look for a retro site is a good idea, if you look at the banner for this site its simple, no AA (if you don't count banner Bruce) but looks damn good. I suggest dropping the AA altogether.

The way your AAing the letters makes them look like they have corners instead of nice, smooth curves. You can fix this by AAing inside the letter as well as outside and not creating corners with your AA colours.

As for a pallet, i would use 32 colours, its not to restricting but would unify the site much better than 64, if you take a look at the current iso collab, the pallet's only 16 colours but is extremely versatile, so a well made 32 colour pallet would be more than enough for a retro site.

It looks quite good but honestly i don't think it would catch my eye and make me want to stay for to long.

[Larwick]

To be honest guys i think it looks fine now. It had some problems before because you were overdoing the 45degree angle AA. Most people don't AA 45 degree angles at all because they use AA to smoothen curves, whereas i think before you were simply smoothening all the edges as a whole. What's left of the AA on the text makes it look a little furry still, but i quite like it. It's not what most people would expect to see on a pixel site though, when pixelated graphics are sized up they're usually emphasizing their simplicity, which at this point you're not doing. But i still think it looks fine, for what it is.