AGDInteractive - Sierra Adventure Game Remakes Forum

Hi everybody,<br><br>Since I was aware of the existence of Tierra (Now AGDI), I used to play not only the KQ remakes, but also, I got the idea of creating a game like the old one.<br><br>Now, 95% of the people hits the same wall. How do I create those beautifull backgrounds that we see in KQ1VGA and KQ2VGA??<br><br>To learn how to work with AGS, I made a little demo of 3 screens captured from QG1 and QG3, which it is at least, a good start.<br><br>Then I read about the tutorials about the backgrounds. Well, let me tell you that some of them, are just as good as nothing. They show you a crappy picture, and then they say: "Apply charcol effect, shadow and light effect, apply the second derivative, and you will get this:" and then you will see an excellent background. And the mortals wonder.. How can a picture like this, change into a background like this?? <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rolleyes --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>On the other hand, there are others who are more or less ok with the instructions, but you just wonder HOW that background could be similar to a Sierra style. In other words, they don't look like the KQ1VGA or KQ2VGA. <br><br>I understand that you are going to tell me:"Hey, Tierra worked hours and hours in order to create those backgrounds". Well, I understand that, but even though Nobody was capable of explaining using (Let's say Adobe Photoshop, which I am very confortable with) a good program, step by step, and get that quality that Tierra gives us. In my opinion, this will encourage people to create more games like these.<br><br>If you think about it, AGS does exactly that!! You can make a KQ or a QG or even a Monkey Island, in a very easy way.<br><br>Well, Hopefully, Somebody will say... Hey!! IT is extremely hard to do this backgrounds, however, here you have something to play with. Sierra Style!!! not personal styles.<br><br>Max<br><br>Pd:I read all about this Danny guy, and it was very funny!! I hope he can learn from other people who really has intentions of creating something real. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

I'm not sure if you're familiar with my partially-finished tutorial, but it *may* be a help to you. I'm tossing the idea of starting anew because I've gotten so much better at making backgrounds.<br><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/bryce/ ... <!--EZCODE LINK END--><br><br><br>I've done some more work that looks a lot better. I'm hoping to find time soon to write another tutorial that gets people on the right track. It would look more like this tho:<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/bryce/0007big.png" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br> <p>---------<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/bryce/sig.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>"I cut down trees, I wear high heels, suspenders and a brar.."<br>----------<br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/spongefactory/" target="top">Sponge Factory</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub57.ezboard.com/broyalquestfor ... kOofmay</A> at: 12/11/03 11:37 pm<br></i>

I don't think even the best tutorial is going to make anybody do good backgrounds. It will help but the matter of your level of artistic ability is going to determine how nice your BG is. And that only comes with tons of practice. <p>"Fear is when Love stops short of Infinity." © <br><br>&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp -- Adi Da Samraj</p><i></i>

That's true, but it helps to have a starting point. I could draw a thousand stick people, and I would be really good at drawing stick people. However, that wouldn't help me get good at drawing a realistic looking person. It is good to have some instruction to start with, and then practice on that. <p></p><i></i>

Good instruction yes absolutely important. <p>"Fear is when Love stops short of Infinity." © <br><br>&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp -- Adi Da Samraj</p><i></i>

It doesn't look like the backgrounds created by Tierra, which copy exactly Sierra's style.<br><br>That is my point.. I am not saying to DRAW backgrounds like Tierra... but actually to give the same sensation, same type of quality in colors, and design like Tierra.<br><br>Let's make a simple example. It you see that background and one from King Quest 5, which one would you think that was created by Sierra?<br><br>Exactly. I am not THAT worried about drawing. I am worried about giving the finishing touch to make it look like a Sierra style game. <p></p><i></i>

For the total-Sierra-look, you can't create the graphics like Muzlak does.<br><br>Instead, paint the scene you want. Now take a photo of it, or scan it in. Now adjust it so the contrast is good (dark land up front and lighter land towards the horizon where the sun is overhead).<br><br>Now add a new layer add airbrush darker lines so you get crisp edges where you need them at your 'game resolution'.<br><br>Finally do some pixel edit to clean it up. That's how Sierra did a lot of their backgrounds in VGA. <p></p><i></i>

Not really relevent, but that's an awesome background Muzlack! If every screen for your game looks as good as that, I can't wait to play the whole thing. <p></p><i></i>

For some reason Muzlack's artwork reminds me of Heroes of Might and Magic I. <p>______________<br>Rules must be obeyed. Do not smuggle water.<br>______________<br>SPACE QUEST III VGA<br>http://sq3vga.by.ru</p><i></i>

Now you are talking... I will try what you are telling me. But right now I am at work (You know, i have to make some money to survive), so when I get back home I will try it and I will show the result. Maybe the guys here can help me to give the real "Sierra" touch. Hehehehe!! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br> <p></p><i></i>

Hrmm... to be honest I don't think Tierra has a very big resembelence to Sierra. KQ1VGA looks totally original. they have a nice storybook feel to them. KQ2VGA looks much more like QFG than KQ. This isn't bad, but I'm just saying what it looks like. If you want, I can make a King's Quest adaption and make it look very Sierra-esque but I prefer my style.<br><br>And most of the backgrounds look a *tad* better than the one I posted. That was before I got a tablet. It's just the best one that I remembered that I currently have uploaded. <p>---------<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/bryce/sig.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>"I cut down trees, I wear high heels, suspenders and a brar.."<br>----------<br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/spongefactory/" target="top">Sponge Factory</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

Muzlak,<br><br> Don't feel compelled to defend your background. Everyone here is a critic, who can't back up their claims. As far as completely original work, you do some fabulous stuff. No one will ever REALLY do things JUST like Sierra; copying a style isn't where it's at. Paying homage is. Your drawings pay honor to Sierra's style, while retaining your art flair. I see many people who are quick to point out small flaws in pictures, without dealing out the fact that it's a nice painting! And I can't wait for your remake of KQIV, being that it's one of my favorites.<br><br>Steve<br><br>-------------------<br>Quest For Infamy: So You Want To Be A Villain?<br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://pub62.ezboard.com/bego97145">pub ... <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br>-------------------<br> <p></p><i></i>

Maybe I didn't explain myself correctly. (English is not my first language). <br><br>When I said Sierra's style, I mean not the drawings, but the definition, the type of colors used, etc.<br><br>For me, KQ1VGA, KQ2VGA and KQ5, QG3, QG4, etc, etc. have the same colour type and characteristic for the backgrounds. <br><br>I am not saying that other types, like the background that I saw, are not good. In fact, they are excelent!!<br><br>If I offended somebody, please accept my apologize!!<br><br><br><br> <p></p><i></i>

No need to apologize. I took no offense. I guess I don't really see where you're coming from, though. I do know the differences between mine and sierra's style. So, for fun, I'm trying to make a Sierra style background. I'm doing things (although against the way I normally do them) the way I think Sierra would. If this looks right to you, I can write a step-by-step tutorial and you can be the judge of that. It was really difficult for me to get started because frankly, very few people have the style that Sierra does, and there are hardly any tutorials. <p>---------<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/bryce/sig.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>"I cut down trees, I wear high heels, suspenders and a brar.."<br>----------<br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/spongefactory/" target="top">Sponge Factory</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

Woooww.....<br><br>Go for it!!<br><br>My reflexion for today: Why do you think that KQ1VGA and KQ2VGA were a success??<br><br>Some of the people here, are Sierra fans.. others, just like old games...<br>But in my opinion, the remakes made every person who played it, to think just for a moment that they were really playing a Sierra game!!! and not a remake made by fans.<br><br>The backgrounds were exactly like other VGA games from sierra.<br>Graham, who was taken from KQ5, gives the game a sense of continuity between KQ1, KQ2 and KQ5.<br>The guys who updated the scripts, they did a very good job.<br>And finally... The animation was smooth and beautiful.<br><br>So, as I said before... Fans have to show all these new corporations, that Adventure Games are far from death!!!<br><br>Let's make more games!! Heheheh!! <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br> <p></p><i></i>

Zahmatra,<br><br> Oh, I wasn't speaking of you. Some other peoples posts seemed to be attacking Muzlak a little too much....<br><br>Steve<br> <p></p><i></i>

You know what? I didn't even notice your post. I honestly don't care if people hate my artwork. I think it's an interesting twist, but that could just be me. I'm glad that you're looking forward to my remake. I am too! <p>---------<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/bryce/sig.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>"I cut down trees, I wear high heels, suspenders and a brar.."<br>----------<br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/spongefactory/" target="top">Sponge Factory</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

I do not remember Muzlack getting bad remarks about his art in the past ? are you sure ? <p></p><i></i>

Oh no, many people have compliment Muzlaks style.... but I have seen the obligatory derisions from some. I just dislike it when people who don't show their work get over critical on someone who is willing to share.<br><br>Steve<br> <p></p><i></i>

How's this look?<br><br>Personally, I think it looks quite a bit more sierra-esque than most of my other pictures. If it looks good, then I'll write that tutorial using this pic itself.<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/bryce/camelot.png" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--> <p>---------<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/bryce/sig.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>"I cut down trees, I wear high heels, suspenders and a brar.."<br>----------<br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/spongefactory/" target="top">Sponge Factory</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>

Yep, I think it looks really Sierra-like.<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://httpd.chello.nl/c.vanempel/Nashw ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE END--> <p></p><i></i>

Your artwork is just awesome, Muzlak!<br>Keep up the good work! Can't wait to play KQ4VGA! <p>______________<br>Rules must be obeyed. Do not smuggle water.<br>______________<br>SPACE QUEST III VGA<br>http://sq3vga.by.ru</p><i></i>

<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :cry --><img src=http://users.domaindlx.com/broomie/cry.gif ALT=":cry"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>I won't mention why I'm crying. I've stated it too much <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START ;) --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> . Some people will know why, though.<br><br>So umm....I guess there's not much point to my post....<br><br>But, Muzlak...dude.......*is blown away* <p><!--EZCODE HR START--><hr /><!--EZCODE HR END--><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://smc.sq7.org/brandon/mi_sig.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>"Requires MCGA, CGA, VGA, PGA, or TA-RA-RA-BOOMGA!!" <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>-Gary Owens, SQ4</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></p><i></i>

At least we have KQ4 to look forward to <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br>How is progress on kq4 going ? (Don't worry I am not trying to start a 'has it finished yet' chorus, I understand it won't be near completion but just wonder about progress) <p></p><i></i>

Progress is picking back up now that college is over. It will be a loooonggg time though. <p>---------<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/bryce/sig.gif" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>"I cut down trees, I wear high heels, suspenders and a brar.."<br>----------<br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.nancycarterdesign.com/spongefactory/" target="top">Sponge Factory</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></p><i></i>