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Documents about pencil
Game Dev Unchained50 min
'Yar's Rising' and Reimagining Classics for Game Development with James Montagna | 347
The revitalization of classic intellectual property requires a delicate balance between honoring foundational source material and integrating modern gameplay innovations.
- Reimagining legacy IP like the 1982 Atari title 'Yars’ Revenge' requires balancing original source material with modern genre shifts, such as transitioning the game into a side-scrolling metroidvania.
- Developers can modernize retro titles by repurposing classic mechanics into narrative-driven features, such as converting original gameplay elements into interactive hacking terminals for a protagonist.
- Maintaining a nimble, independent studio structure supported by deep institutional knowledge and passion is essential for navigating the volatility of the current gaming market.
Game Dev UnchainedMay 2024
Thomas Brush10 min
2D Game Art Tutorial In 10 Minutes
The primary objective of this guide is to demonstrate that high-quality 2D game art is accessible to creators of all skill levels, even when limited to basic hardware like a computer mouse.
- High-quality 2D environmental design relies on the disciplined application of a pre-defined, harmonious color palette rather than complex manual drawing techniques.
- Visual cohesion and three-dimensional depth are achieved by layering primary, secondary, and neutral tones, even if individual elements appear washed out in isolation.
- The composition process begins by establishing a horizon line using gradients to provide a consistent color context for all subsequent environmental elements.
Thomas BrushAug 2023
Thomas Brush15 min
How to draw PIXEL ART GAME CHARACTERS (PS TUTORIAL)
This guide outlines a professional workflow for creating pixel art game characters using Adobe Photoshop, emphasizing technical setup and artistic principles to ensure high-quality, readable assets.
- Configure Photoshop for pixel art by setting image interpolation to 'nearest neighbor' and disabling anti-aliasing on all tools to maintain sharp, clean edges.
- Use the pencil tool exclusively instead of the brush tool to prevent unwanted softening of pixels.
- Standardize character assets within a square canvas, typically ranging from 16x16 to 32x32 pixels, to ensure consistent detail levels.
Thomas BrushJan 2022
Game Developers Conference46 min
The Jackbox Party Pack Unboxed: How and Why We Make a Pack of 5 Games Every Year
Jackbox Games has successfully transformed its business model by pivoting from traditional freemium trivia titles to an annual, bundled release strategy.
- Jackbox Games maintains a sustainable business model by releasing a 'Party Pack' containing five distinct games annually, a strategy that prevents reliance on a single franchise and encourages creative experimentation.
- The company shifted its focus to the 'big screen' format after realizing that mobile-centric freemium games were often isolating, whereas their party games thrive on shared physical spaces and social interaction.
- The development cycle is highly compressed, with the company releasing a new pack every October and utilizing the remainder of the year for post-mortems, marketing, and early-stage prototyping.
Game Developers ConferenceAug 2021