In-Game Images
So, we haven't yet hit the goal at which I've said I'd start looking at commissioning art, but I've had someone contact me with an offer to make art for the game, so I thought I'd share their samples with all of you and see what you thought. I personally intended to look for a 2D artist for the game, but I found that these 3D renders looked quite a bit better than I’d expected, and, due to the low prices of the artwork, I could probably end up having two separate image packs, and letting the player pick between this style of 3D renders or more traditional 2D drawn artwork.
Here are some samples done of the player’s character, though I would probably get other characters like Beatrice done up first, because they don’t have to worry about different variations like hair and skin color. The artist did do a variation on the lips for me though, to give an example of how transformations might be shown in game.
So the main question is, do you think images with this style would add to the game for you? Would you like to have images of the characters present in this style, or would you rather I only have images commissioned in a 2D style? Also, unless the majority of people prefer the 3D style to the 2D style, I would still prioritize 2D images once we reached the $500 goal, so there would always be a new image 2D image each month that I charge for, (once I settle on an artist,) and any 3D images would come out of extra money I had to spend. This means the addition of these 3D images wouldn’t be slowing down the inclusion of 2D images, and I could probably get 3D images of the main characters done quite a bit faster than I could with 2D images, due to the lower price. (I don't know for sure how much 2D commissions would end up costing, as that varies by artist, but it seems I could do at least two of these renders for every drawn image I commissioned, if not more.)
I might commission Beatrice and Katie regardless, just to see how it looks in game, but I figured this would be a good thing to ask for feedback on from all of you.
The artist's name is Ztrunkinvan, in case anyone is interested in commissioning this type of artwork themselves.
Comments (4)
Honestly 3D or 2D doesn't matter as far as I'm concerned, what matters is the quality in which either one is done. Good 3D renders are great, good 2D drawings are also great. Whichever one you can produce at the highest quality in the shortest time, seems like the best option.
These renders aren't the worst I've seen. They're simple and not ugly, which would make it good for reflecting the various transition states the MC would be in. They look a bit cartoony though, which I think might put some people off. As long as they're optional though it should be fine. I have a couple of feedback points though. 1) Where will these images appear in game? Personally I think if you're going through the effort to make avatars then you should consider putting a talking head next to the dialog boxes for the character speaking. Wouldn't have to be animated, but would reinforce the idea of the changes the MC is going through if the face is repeatedly shown. 2)Please have a full body avatar. This is a good start, but the changes the MC goes though aren't reflected very well if it's only from the neck up. 3)Please consider rendering all available clothing on the avatar. It's a small detail, but it does wonders for player investment and immersion.
The full body avatar could be limited to only when charging clothes or inspecting yourself. Those are the only times where it would matter, and plenty of games I've played have done the same thing. Perverted Education comes to mind. Stickicky could look at that to see how it was implemented and do something similar.
Had to re-upload this post, as the first version let me put up a poll with no options on it for some reason.