Castle Paradox

*Worthy* · **Critical Thinker** Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 186

As everyone knows, graphics are the face of a game. When someone loads a game, the first thing he/she sees is the graphics. But how important are they?

Obviously, if a game has awesome graphics and a horrible storyline, the game won't be very entertaining. But what if the game has an awesome storyline, interesting minigames, unique attributes, but the graphics are only mediocre? Is that game still an awesome game?

Would one be better off using mediocre graphics for a game or ripping them? Me, I'm somewhat decent at drawing graphics, although no pixel-artist, and I hate drawing graphics, so I'm kinda wondering if I should even bother taking the time to make mediocre graphics or not.

~Worthy
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Me · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 9:54 am Post subject:

I'd say make your own. A game with only mediocre graphics but everything else good is still a good game, possibly a great one. Graphics are really only a first-impression thing usually; the only time when they actually detract from the game is when they are so ugly it's painful, and I don't think your pixel art is anywhere near that level. If you don't want to take the time to make the graphics, hire someone else who is better.
The only time I could see ripped graphics being used legitimately would be as placeholders until you get better original ones done. However, in that case, it might be better to just make your own anyway (and it prolly wouldn't take that much longer to make some so-so graphics, given the time it takes to rip graphics in any minorly attractive way).
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Solsund

Graphics are really only a part of a game. While they can be flashy and
catch your eye they are not as important as the game play and story.

A while back I was playing a RPG (though I don't remember which one)
and a friend stopped by and he couldn't understand how I could stand
playing something that looked so bad but the game had an excellent
story and good game play. For example, check out Arfenhouse, though I
got the impression the graphics were done poorly on purpose as part of
the joke.

I've seen too many RPG's that think that FMV and eye-popping graphics
will be enough and have such a terrible RPG system they are unplayable.

Certainly use place holder graphics while you work on the story and
game play and then either take the time to work out the graphics or
find someone who will help make them for you.

Of course, my philosophy is function before attractiveness so I'm pretty
biased by this. If something is pretty but doesn't work, what good is it?
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Dan the Man Entertainment · Joined: 31 May 2003 Posts: 204

I have a question.

Does the same thing apply for music? I'm in the middle of creating a game and I have to use placeholders until I've created my game. Should I release a demo after I've created the necessary music, or release the demo with placeholders?

msw188 · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 1041

I posted about this a little while back. I don't believe in the importance of graphics. My game has no battle backdrops, and there is no plan of ever making any in the future. Graphics don't usually affect my enjoyment of a game. In fact, I rate music higher myself, and if I would say to Dan that he definitely should work on making his own music. Nevertheless, that could take a great deal of time for one with little or no musical knowledge, so I would still recommend releasing the demo now, just without any music. Why not? It's just a demo, and if you are looking for help or advice on certain aspects of the game, what good would music placeholders do you?

*Worthy* · **Critical Thinker** Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 186

Hmm...I agree on the fact that the graphics of a game are not extremely critical, but I think the absence of graphics (such as a backdrop in battles) could have a negative effect on the enjoyment of the game.

~Worthy
_________________
You can do whatever you want...but prison is full of people who make bad decisions.

SunsOfFlame · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 139

Worthy, you could always get another community member to do graphics, its not ripping, and you don't have to draw.

I'd be happy to, personally.

But I can easily see why you wouldn't wanna do this (Another name tacked onto your game, a little wierder to do considering they can't be done at once)

Haha, if you consider it, check out Special, not great graphics by what I've done since its a year old, but it can give you an idea of what I can do.

KainMinter · ***~*** Joined: 10 Jan 2004 Posts: 155 Location: Austin

I consider graphics important, but mediocer (sp?) graphics can be just as good as highly detailed graphics.

Take James's wandering hamster for example.

The graphics and artwork is what I would consider mediocer.. but despite the simplicity of its designs its still great! The characters are very simple with few details, but are memorable and lovable.

As for backgrounds, a good example of well used mediocer graphics is Halloween Quest. There are seemingly few colors used in the background (Few enough to where I wonder if MSPaint may have been used?), but it is still beautifully done. I especially likes the outside battle backdrop. Too bad I cant take screens on this paticular computer, all of the screens in the reviews there do the game no justice.

Ripping graphics can be okay... but there are downsides. Your game will be a little bit more unmemorable if the graphics are ripped. I'd say its worth the little bit of extra time and effort to include the original art, mediocer or no.

Machu · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:33 pm Post subject:

Actually, I thought Wandering Hamster had great graphics.

However, considering OHR's limitations, you can't have super-awesome graphics. With Metal Slug F, I won't be able to go into nearly as much detail as the originals without using lots of map transitions mid-level. Now then, "average" graphics are good enough for OHR; as long as you put some effort into them (as in, not horrible graphics), they'll work. I'd much rather see original art and design put in.
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ChocoSOLDIER · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 11:09 pm Post subject:

WH's graphics go down in history as the first good graphics in an OHR game, and thus should be considered great.

Then again, look at me, the big pixel art critique, and the best graphics I ever did were in this old game...

*sigh* and that was the peak of my OHRing...

Aethereal · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 7:54 am Post subject:

That's because Wandering Hamster was created before Custom was even released. Happy

(But yeah, WH's graphics are awesome.)
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JSH357 · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 1705

Graphics matter, but only so much. If a game just has absolutely horrible graphics I will usually stop playing it, but some games like Walthros have semi-bad graphics and are still playable.

*Worthy* · **Critical Thinker** Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 186

Dan the Man Entertainment · Joined: 31 May 2003 Posts: 204

Regarding what MSW said:

Maybe it would be a good idea to release my demo without music. Doing this, I can both create my game and talk to my siblings. Thanks.

As for good graphics, ain't gonna happen with me. My graphics only get to the level of sub-par+1/2.

Kenji Murasame · **Shizuma** Joined: 06 Nov 2003 Posts: 103 Location: ON TO

Graphics (as in artistry, all graphics on OHR are actually the same quality) and gameplay are the only things you need. Who says a game needs a plot?

World and character design are very important, as is theme relating to aesthetics and gameplay. Story can be done in any quanity the person desires, but any game needs quite a lot of everything else.