Bitten by the sidescroller bug...

[twodayslate]

I can't decided between two and three

[Sherman Gill]

2.

[r4c7]

Definitely three.

[ndchristie]

#3 for sure, but i still think the smoke should be matte

[WM]

2.5  

(I would like to see what something halfway between 2's and 3's smoke dissipation effects would look like)

EDIT: If I had to choose between the two, I would floor my answer down to two. 

[Howard Day]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback, guys! I'm looking at #3 right now, with less lighting on the smoke, with perhaps a bit lighter and more transparent smoke towards the end of the animation.
In the meantime, I've made the death animation for the bumblebot. The idea here is that it's hit in mid-air, and spins into the ground and explodes. It will have a separate smoke and debris trail for added awesome.

I've also re-touched the weapon fire to better match the other effects...it's subtle, but necessary.

And I've finished the next enemy - the RollyPollyBot...I'm not 100% happy with the attack animation - I think it needs some work, but I'd still love any feedback you guys have!


I'll keep the vote on the explosion going for a couple more days - I'm in no rush to make a decision on this, because it's been such a pain so far to get something everyone likes.
Thoughts?

[Howard Day]

Okay, did some revision on the rollypolly attack...
and some taunt and idle animations...
and everything together:
and I went back to the explosion...

Can't stay away.
Thoughts?

[Konrad]

I really like what you're doing here. The last explosion looks best IMO (alternatively #3). Though I guess that seeing them on a background would make deciding easier.
The "rollypolly" looks good, but I think the idle pose is a little strange. I think it'd look better if it lay flat on the ground and would lift it's head as taunt pose. But that's just my opinion.
Great work so far .

[CrazyMLC]

For some reason the little appendage on the rollypolly really looks like a penis.
Creeping me out, dawg.

Anyhow, remember the animation I posted? When the smoke was dissipating it was swirling around. Explosions do that too.

[Zweckform]

Hello,

i like Nr. 4 for it keeps the style of the animation. Nr. 3 is nice, too but the smoke at the end does not fit 100% imho. Anyway nice work so far.