06-21-2007, 03:01 PM | #1 |
Dread Pirate
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Graphics in A Vampyre Story
I'm moderately less excited about A Vampyre Story now that I've had a look at the latest screens. I guess I hadn't been paying enough attention to realize it's a 3D game until now, because the early screenshots were so beautifully painted in 2D. I don't have anything against 3D in particular, but compared to those gorgeous painted backgrounds and characters it's a bit of a letdown.
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06-21-2007, 03:42 PM | #2 |
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So the backgrounds aren't 2D and hand painted now. That's what you're saying.
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06-21-2007, 04:08 PM | #3 |
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Uh, yeah, I thought I was fairly explicit about that. I then went on to say I found it disappointing because the 2D painted screens looked better to me. And as along as we're deconstructing my post, I was sort of fishing to see how others felt about it as well.
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06-21-2007, 04:26 PM | #4 |
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Could you link to an example of a screenshot that features a 2D background as well as one that shows a 3D environment? As far as I can tell the backgrounds were and remain hand painted 2D drawings, whereas the character models are in 3D. The screenshots with a 2D Mona sprite are several years old and from a prototype - it was always planned to be replaced with a 3D version to make character animating easier, cheaper, and quicker. But the backgrounds are definitely still 2D. So I'm kind of curious what you don't like about the backgrounds of the newer screens that you liked about the old ones.
Last edited by Udvarnoky; 06-21-2007 at 04:39 PM. |
06-21-2007, 04:52 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
Compare here: To here: I was thrown off because I saw the 3D character and my mind extrapolated that to the environments as well. But the point I was making is still, to some extent, the same -- I don't think the 3D rendered characters look as good, or rather I don't think they fit as well in the game environments, as the prototypes. Granted, if the issue is that 3D characters are so much cheaper than hand-drawn characters, and it's the difference between the game being made or not made, obviously I'd opt for 3D. I just was so familiar with the prototype shots and that sort of CMI-esue hand-drawn feel that the 3D characters strike me as out of place. EDIT: Here's a good example of where I think the 3D characters just look, well, bad. http://www.adventuregamers.com/screenshot.php?id=6823 |
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06-21-2007, 04:59 PM | #6 |
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I wouldn't worry.
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06-21-2007, 05:38 PM | #7 |
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I think the 3D characters actually look better than the 2D ones. Why? Three words: lighting, lighting, lighting.
The original alpha screenshots show a very flat Mona sprite; her skin is an unchanging pale gray. Whereas in the new shots the characters are lit by the yellowish glow of candles or are plunged into darkness in spooky areas. Lighting can make or break a 3D engine. It looks like AME have taken that to heart in a way that would be difficult to achieve with 2D animation. Which is wonderful, especially for a game with such Gothic subject matter. |
06-21-2007, 06:35 PM | #8 |
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i think for 3D characters they're pretty damn good lookin.. i cant wait for this adventure to come out i've been following it for quite some time.
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06-21-2007, 07:36 PM | #9 |
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I actually agree with the others. I prefer the 3D over the 2D. The 2D sprites looked a little dated and generic for my liking, but the game looks stunning now with 3D characters and great lighting.
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06-21-2007, 07:47 PM | #10 |
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I like the 3D characters, they improved like hell since first screenshots and VS looks like very atmospheric game, so 3D is better
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06-21-2007, 07:52 PM | #11 | ||
OB
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The backgrounds are still 2D, it's only the characters that have changed to 3D and for the better. We'll get a lot more animation out of it, plus they just look a lot better.
Actually, the painted backgrounds are in 3D, too. They're using a full realtime 3D engine, and each background is broken up into layers and each layer is mapped onto a flat 3D plane. Each plane is parallel and faces the camera. This will allow for a ton of special parallax scrolling effects and zooming and kinds of neat tricks. We will essentially be getting a great looking 2D backgrounds game that has all kinds of movement in it and a realtime 3D camera that can move around within the level but still not realtime 3D. You can see all of the shots here: http://www.vampyre-story.com/ The 3D Mona in the first one that loads (which is the one with the bear rug and fireplace) is a huge improvement over the 2D version. Also, click on the upper lefthand thumbnail that says Underground beneath it. That's probably a good indication of what it will look like in motion (the backgrounds): http://www.lostmarble.com/moho/galle...icvideos.shtml Also, the inspiration for the whole thing (again, the backgrounds) is Disney's The Old Mill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beKzH7Ngpoc Finally, here's a couple of quotes from the lead designer about the technology being used: Quote:
Quote:
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06-21-2007, 09:30 PM | #12 |
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Call me old fashion but I prefer the all 2-d.
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06-21-2007, 10:01 PM | #13 |
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'I think the 3D characters actually look better than the 2D ones. Why? Three words: lighting, lighting, lighting." I think this game looks splendid and it along with Gray matter are must buys if they come to the US.
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06-22-2007, 12:03 AM | #14 |
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I think the game looks so damn good not because it has neat screenshots, but because it feautures very original story and settings, which is rare nowdays.
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06-22-2007, 01:09 AM | #15 | |
Biomechanoid
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I get the feeling that everything nowadays has to be as realistic as possible. Where is the fun in that?
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06-22-2007, 01:29 AM | #16 |
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How could someone think that this http://www.adventuregamers.com/screenshot.php?id=2005
looks better than this http://www.adventuregamers.com/screenshot.php?id=6691 is really beyond me... |
06-22-2007, 01:56 AM | #17 | |
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Don't get me wrong, this is still my # 1 most anticipated game.... |
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06-22-2007, 02:09 AM | #18 | |
Hitch-Hiker
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Im 3D all the way, specially if they are all going to look as good as these screenshots.
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06-22-2007, 03:13 AM | #19 | |
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Quote:
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06-22-2007, 03:55 AM | #20 | |
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Quote:
The lighting is far more spot on in the shot showing the real-time model in that example, though. Actually, while the 3D model might be a bit rough around the edges, in many ways it's the 2D model which looks like a cardboard cutout thingamabob to me. Yes, it's the lighting indeed. Did I say this game looks prolly cool? No picture perfect 3dstudiomaxrendered boredom, (OMG! I can make out the texture of this wooden block of whatever!) but whoa... do I sense something as gratuitious as competent art direction there?
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