To up-res or not to up-res

Friday, June 16, 2017 - 05:59

My shmup in a JRPG fantasy setting is tentatively in early alpha. It renders in 240p, the best match for the majority of character & object sprites I picked.

But the vast library of 480p assets would fill more of my environment art needs, and provide more character animation as a bonus. So I'm weighing two options.

Stay in 240p. Keep the maps that I have, but a larger percentage of the art will have to be requested and commissioned. Although the average individual piece might cost less as low-res usually isn't as artistically demanding.
Go to 480p. Lots of assets available to use, but must find the right ones, and then construct maps, sprite sheets and sprite metadata all over again. Luckily the only maps now are one level and barebones UI, and I have some tools to help with the sprites.

I'm interested in any of your thoughts.

Spring Spring

joined 8 years 5 months ago

Friday, June 16, 2017 - 12:09

Looks like a cool game actually! I'd play somehting like that XD

Battle Mania music fits the game great too, but wouldn't you want to go with something original sooner or later?

Regarding the resolution question, STAY WITH 240P, definitely!

IoriBranford

joined 7 years 5 months ago

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - 15:46

Thanks Spring. Barring some incredible stroke of luck where I miraculously get a license for that soundtrack, I do intend to get an original score but there is no definite timeframe for that.

I experimented with downscaling some 480p tiles and the damage isn't as bad as I feared, only the really fine details would need retouching to make them recognizable again. So, 240p it is.

Attachments:

magecity-16x16.png 23.4 Kb [0 download(s)]

Spring Spring

joined 8 years 5 months ago

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - 15:45

No problem. If you're interested in an original score, I am myself available as a musician. If you can compose yourself you should of course go with that, but if not, I might be able to help with it :)