Since there was talk among the pixel artists here I challenge you to make a simple 32 pixel by 32 pixel ship. I don't expect everyone to be good but it might be nice to try your hand at some old school pixel art. Lets say max 12 unique colors per sprite. You can do more than one but please use a 32x32 canvas. Beginners more than welcome!
I just did this one. I could improve on it yet but wanted to have a fresh sprite ready. I usually don't animate because I seem to never actually use my work in my games. This is just a quick 10 minute sprite. I might work on it but I would not ask people to try something without trying it myself.
Some tips:
save in a lossless format-png of bitmap (no jpeg)
You might want do use scaled image so we can see it better.
Some of the best shmups don't actually end in a vowel.
No, this game is not Space Invaders.
I applaud your efforts.
I think that with a little polish it would be great. It is an innovative design. I like the multiple red cockpits. Also it is nice that you have chosen a light direction, the light source is clearly on the left side. Many beginners fail to really think about creating a directional light source.
We all have to start some place. Keep with it.
Some of the best shmups don't actually end in a vowel.
No, this game is not Space Invaders.
If I ever got around to turning on my computer, and THEN got around to doing this, and THEN took my comp to a friend's and THEN posted it, it'd likely look more like Pixel Outlaw's than Observer's or ZOM's (though not as good by any means =P).
@ ZOM that is a good design. Looks very European in style. They tend to like swept foreword wings like you have. The shading is also decent. The wings shading is a bit odd but that cockpit is superb. You might stick to pixeling, and I would love to see your progression from here.
@ GrimoreLibrarian
I think the ship is OK but the shading could use a bit of polish. For a first attempt it is OK though. I think you might consider making materials. Most of the time 3 or more colors are used to define light hitting and shadow on an object. You have a color that is really light where they light is the most intense, then you have some midtone colors then you have a shadow color. If you try and keep the hues close together while defining a material you can give a good illusion of a material surface. Consider making your light reflections lighter and your shadow colors slightly darker. This way you will be able to better describe how light is reflected from an object. Your colors share the same level of intensity you might want to consider using more contrast between colors. Not dissing your work just some advice. My work often has a bit too much contrast like my posted sprite above, which is sort of a bad thing. Only you the artist can deem your work a failure, I think it is a step in the right direction and marks your willingness to try something new.
I don't consider myself the best at pixeling but I don't mind giving my thoughts. Congrats to all the people jumping in and learning.
Some of the best shmups don't actually end in a vowel.
No, this game is not Space Invaders.
It is a very unique design, however the max color limit was 12 unique colors. Let me still say that I like it. You might consider having 3 shades for each different hue I think you could easily eliminate the second to the brightest color in each color gradient they are very close to the lightest color. You have shaded around the body, but don't be afraid to actually dive into the body itself to shade either, it looks sort of flat but maybe that is because the ship design incorperates that. Great job for diving into this project. Great choice of colors too, this combination is very eye catching. I think you could probably get away with fewer colors since some are so close to the same thing. Great job great effort. Love the colors! You might consider making more of your own ships. Oh and if you want a ship to shoot faster simply increase how many pixels the shots jump from frame to frame. Most normal shmups have bullets that jump about 3 pixels per frame (depending on the game)
EDIT looks like your palette threw me off. I assumed that you had 17 colors from it.
Some of the best shmups don't actually end in a vowel.
No, this game is not Space Invaders.
Pixel_Outlaw wrote:Looks very European in style. They tend to like swept foreword wings like you have.
Read my Sig. -_-
Pixel_Outlaw wrote:The shading is also decent. The wings shading is a bit odd but that cockpit is superb. You might stick to pixeling, and I would love to see your progression from here.
Yah, I didn't even know where to start with the wing's shading... Any advice?
And i sure as hell will do at least another one, this work is actually very relaxing & fun.
more or less what it was inspired by, with a bit of vic viper thrown in too. I was gonna show how the front section and arms detatch to form options of sorts, but eh, too much work.
real quick 10 minutes thing:
tried a normal plane design. this must be one of the few shmup sprites I did without my eye-thing
now I need to head to bed. D:
That was the basis for my ship, a mix of Silver Sword and Falchion Beta. Not successful, since it is my first serious attempt at this (and I prefer larger dimensions, 48² or 64² for sprites). The fuselage looks a little fat, the shading is a little lacking, and I couldn't get much detail on the wings.
I'll try again in the afternoon, going to bed now.
12 colors is more limiting than I thought.
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