If a game uses unique busts and portraits, should the sprites be unique too?

[LuLingqi1]

This is a huge question I need to ask! So I'm working on my horror game, and I decided since it is a MUCH smaller scope than my other game, I would start the assets for that first.


I decided I would only make unique busts/portraits and perhaps some other artwork. I attached a file of my artwork + the sprites so you guys can see what I'm talking about in full extent.


Should a game with it's own artwork spring for the sprites to be unique too? Or as long as the unique artwork is inline with what the rmmv sprites look like, is it cool?


View attachment Miki.bmp

 

[Milennin]

I don't think it matters that much for a free game. Just do whatever you find works best. If it's a commercial game, I'd definitely go with custom sprites.

 

[Andar]

it isn't a question of "unique", it is a question of consistency and how it looks.


the art style should work together for a game to be good - if it clashes too much, then people will not want to play it (and it doesn't matter if non-commercial or commercial, people just give more leeway to non-com games).


However, that does not simply mean that everything has to be of the same artstyle - there are games like Evoland or games where you switch between a "real world" and a "shadow world" with widely different artstyles inside a game. But those art styles aren't randomly scattered, they are used consistently and with purpose.


And that is what you should target for in your game.

 

[LuLingqi1]

I don't think it matters that much for a free game. Just do whatever you find works best. If it's a commercial game, I'd definitely go with custom sprites.

I'm looking to possibly release the horror game, or atleast a part of it, for free maybe on one of the rpgmaker sites, and then try to get a 2-5$ dollar release on steam. I really just love the way the base RMMV sprites look for the characters. I would actually love to make sprites for Miki. She's so cute and easy to do. Due to how small scale this game is -- It's not that it's small scale, it just has a much smaller cast and setting than the last game I made -- I feel more able to readily tackle things such as assets. 

it isn't a question of "unique", it is a question of consistency and how it looks.

So then I guess my only follow up would be, is there a consistency between the character I drew compared to her sprite? It feels consistent to me.


I understand though what you're both saying, though. Maybe I'll just make the sprites and see where it goes!

 

[Dr. Delibird]

I think that the bust is consistent with the sprite imho. 

 

[LuLingqi1]

I think that the bust is consistent with the sprite imho. 

You do!? Whoohoo! Here's the finished look. Is it still consistent?

View attachment Miki.bmp

 

[Dr. Delibird]

@LuLingqi1 Yes though are you going to be using that face graphic made with the generator? Because tbh it will be kind of inconsistent. You could honestly just chop off the head from the bust (oh nos that's terrible :'( ) and use that as the face graphic.

 

[LuLingqi1]

@Dr. Delibird No I don't plan on using the generator's portrait, haha! I was just using it as a reference to draw the character since I created her using the rmmv stuff first, and fell entirely inlove with the design.

 

[Dr. Delibird]

Ah ok that makes sense. Well good luck with your project

 

[Kes]

For future reference, this sort of query where you end up discussing particular art work/sprites would be best in the Resource Support forum which is specifically to help with the creation and deployment of resources.  This forum is about the creation of games, not the resources within the games.


Have you had your answer now?  Shall I close it?

 

[Rachma334]

You should probably create a sprite that fits the portrait, for more coherence...