I had announced a few months ago that I was searching for an artist to do a graphic makeover of the game. I have asked the candidates to do a little test (explanation below) and here are the results I received until now:
As I've not been yet entirely convinced by the candidates, I would be very interested to get your feedback on the pictures, if you like some of them.
The idea is not to make the game looks exactly like one of those design, but to evaluate if the artist would be able to draw something nice for the game, if he would be able to express a good feeling and atmosphere.
You can post a comment here or discuss about it on the forum's post: http://steamcommunity.com/app/315460/discussions/0/527273452869570262/
The artists had to relook the red area of the following picture:
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=506475519 With those instructions:
- To draw the dirt, grass, rock, rock surface, one plant and a static sky but no other elements. I asked a very simple scene on purpose, so it would not take too much time and so we can see if the artist is able to create something nice and a good athmosphere with very few elements.
Some artists did add background elements but that was not asked so don't take it into account ^^
- To do a "fake" reskin, but to simulate the scene technical constraints: one large texture for dirt, rock and sky, sprite tiles for grass and rock surface, single sprite for the plant. But it's not very important if they did not.
- To create something enchanting, calm, joyful and exotic. The references I gave: Bastion, Dofus, Gaia Defense, Rayman, Steamworld Dig, Ori and the Blind Forest, Avatar. More details on the original announcement.
As long as I've not made my choice, new artists are most welcome to send me other relooking tests!
And don't hesitate to contact me (contact [at] gaddygames [dot] com) for more information about the mission.
The most important to know is that it's a freelance job (so you would need an appropriate status) with a correct pay - no volunteer help. The duration would be about 1 or 2 full time months, depending of the final content and the animations quality required (to be discussed).
Also, this test is not made to thinks and discuss about all the technical possibilities to enhance the game's graphics - that will be part of the actual mission
One last point I had already said: there is a real chance I don't do this relooking at all, if i'm not entirely convinced by someone. I cannot afford to spend a lot of money if i'm not sure that will really give something more to the game.
EDIT: thank you everybody for your feedbacks. And it's just great as you mostly have the same thoughts than me about the pictures!
So the 12/13 are definitely the winners. They need some change (dirt looking too much like rock, not enoug exotic) but they are really nice, consistent, nothing is really wrong in them. They show that their artist really masters its art. I cannot say yet for sure with who i'll be working (planning constraints, costs discussions etc.) but whoever it is the make-over design will definitely be something close than the 12/13 pics!