Art Direction

[Rather Dashing]

Okay, I think this deserves its own thread:

What kind of general art direction do you wan the game to take? What is your favorite game in terms of in-game art?

I personally would love something that looks similar to the AGD Interactive and Infamous Adventures remakes of the first few King's Quest games:

http://i.imgur.com/XNHox.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QDcxt.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PpX1A.jpg

A lush, "painted" look with a vibrant, storybook color palette. I think looking at the game should give a similar impression as looking at the box art (http://i.imgur.com/JLKSX.jpg) for previous games, I-V specifically. I think a storybook color palette(erring on the side of "earthy" tones) is really important, and I would love to get the impression that the world exists on a storybook page, possibly with a perspective to cement that(with a camera similar to that in the earlier King's Quest games for atmosphere purposes). I don't think King's Quest is a franchise whose roots are in cinema, unlike Police Quest which draws from police dramas and Space Quest which draws from science fiction "Flash Gordon"-type influences, so a "cinematic" approach to the camera would seem wrong, like an "adaptation" of a fairytale on screen being adapted into a game, rather than adapting the fairytale itself in game form.

[Blackthorne519]

Just to clear it up for ya, the first and last images were from my remake, by Infamous Adventures. The middle one is from AGDI's upcoming KQ3 Redux - ours is more of a 1:1 remake, while theirs includes a few new story elements tying into their "Father" storyline from KQ2+.


Bt

[Rather Dashing]

Just to clear it up for ya, the first and last images were from my remake, by Infamous Adventures. The middle one is from AGDI's upcoming KQ3 Redux - ours is more of a 1:1 remake, while theirs includes a few new story elements tying into their "Father" storyline from KQ2+.


Bt
Ah damn, I'm sorry. These projects are very confusing and I seriously thought I had the right ones. Please don't take offense.

[thesporkman]

What did you think of the art design in The Silver Lining? To me, it felt like they were going for something halfway between a traditional adventure game look and a more "cinematic" Telltale sort of look. The character models were 3D, but they had hand-painted textures, and I think they did try to stick to the "storybook" sorts of color schemes you described. The camera angles were very much like traditional third-person adventure games when you were moving around, but when you were interacting with objects and other characters, it would switch to more cinematic-looking close up shots. I actually really liked what they were going for overall, but I thought it could have been executed a little better.

[Irishmile]

Who ever worked on the Jurassic Park concept art should work on KQ... See what I mean?

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a35/jewelkid87/KQKingGraham2.png
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/6134/kinggraham.jpg

[Rather Dashing]

Who ever worked on the Jurassic Park concept art should work on KQ... See what I mean?
...Okay, you're badass.

[doggans]

Paul Newman IS King Graham!

Anyway, a storybook feel is essential, but I'm not quite sure how that would be pulled off in the Telltale Tool. Maybe if whatever technique it was that made SBCG4AP look like a Brothers Chaps cartoon can make KQ look like a painting...

[Irishmile]

Richard Gere always reminded me of Graham when I was a kid.

[Focused]

I agree about the storybook feel, particularly for vistas and forests and stuff like that. King's Quest needs lush landscapes that may be difficult to achieve with Telltale's current engine, but I'm sure they'll find a way to make it work. Since they worked very hard on the facial animation systems and depth of field effects since W&G and TMI, perhaps now they can concentrate on some scenery technology to enable more complex backgrounds? I don't know, just a thought.

But yes, in short: LUSH landscapes, please! ;)

[Irishmile]

Push the TTG engine to its limits for things near the camera.... Detailed hand paintings in separate layers for everything in the distance that you can not actually reach.... the outcome would be decent I think.

[Secret Fawful]

That's something I want to see for a real, honest-to-goodness professional King's Quest game. Real, unresized, uncompressed paintings. Lush painted backgrounds in layers in 3D, like Irish said, painted with oils or acrylics on canvas, painted character portraits, perhaps a painted screen border, and 3D characters made to fit into the environment. This is something that has never been done before that I'm aware of, and exactly what I don't expect Telltale to do. I am sad.

TSL did something like this, but not with hand-painted layered backgrounds.

[Irishmile]

Ghost Pirates of Vooju Island tried hard to do it... but their 3D characters just didn't seem to fit in the beautifully done backgrounds.... I think TTG can do it... its just they do not want to because it would be more challenging in the time frame they work in.

Their deadlines and file sizes have noticeably compromised their games on occasion.

[Focused]

That's true. I remember being very impressed by both A Vampyre Story and Ghost Pirates for their nice use of background "planes" or layers. Immersive stuff.

[Secret Fawful]

http://i.imgur.com/AgO9I.jpg

Give me something like this.

[figmentPez]

I think Magicka has a pretty good art style. I think that, especially for a low budget indie, it's got a pretty damn good fantasy look to it. It's an action game, so it's environments are better than it's characters, but for the look of the world, I think it shows that 3D can look pretty good for a painted fantasy land.

http://i51.tinypic.com/35d68ls.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/2rcq5gk.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/2hz73ma.jpg

http://i55.tinypic.com/35hqybt.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/2jg4gbc.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/280eiq.jpg

[Focused]

Very interesting! Hey, is that Graham model from TSL?

Can't say I like Magicka though, especially since it has an isometric perspective. I mean, there's no sky at all! King's Quest NEEDS SKIES! ;)

[Secret Fawful]

If you mean my mockup, yep. They did a great job on textures, but I'd like to see Telltale take it the extra mile.

[Giant Tope]

Who ever worked on the Jurassic Park concept art should work on KQ... See what I mean?


Awesome. This would be perfect.

Give me something like this.

Background is too much like Kincaid's work. Which I REALLY don't like. Is this just me?

[Secret Fawful]

Background is too much like Kincaid's work. Which I REALLY don't like. Is this just me?

You mean Thomas Kinkade? He's my favorite painter of all time. Not a surprise you'd hate him then, but his style would be my first pick as an inspiration for painting a new KQ game.

[DoctorCello]

you mean thomas kinkade? He's my favorite painter of all time. Not a surprise you'd hate him then, but his style would be my first pick as an inspiration for painting a new kq game.

...

Ha! Haha! Haha! What a kidder, you!

[Secret Fawful]

I'm not joking. What are you gonna do about it, bitches?

[DoctorCello]

Okay. What do you like about Thomas Kinkade's art?

[Secret Fawful]

The soft, warm colors, the warmth, the lighting (especially the golden light in the windows), and the dreamy, friendly atmosphere. I also absolutely love warm baby colors, something Don Bluth, another of my favorite artists, used a lot.

http://i.imgur.com/N2Oni.jpg

This is a great scene. There is something magical to me about the places he paints.

I love his wintry scenes the best, especially his nighttime ones, as they radiate friendliness and warmth. They kind of remind me of the sort of painting you would see on Coca-Cola advertisements during Christmas, which I also love. I just get a good feeling from looking at his art. I love cottages, cabins, and woods.

The only thing about Kinkade I don't like is that it feels like he's made himself into a brand somewhat.

Out of curiosity, what do you dislike about it?

[MusicallyInspired]

I'd prefer vibrant storybook colours. Shrek vibrant. (but not Shrek funny) The soft palette may work in some instances, though. Either way, it's gotta feel like enchanting storybook fantasy.

[Secret Fawful]

I agree. I'm not saying I would look at just Kinkade to do backgrounds for a KQ game, but that it would be an "inspiration". I would look at a wide variety of styles, and settle on one's that ended up being what I considered the best. Basically, I only talked about Kinkade because it was brought up, and I wanted to mention I like him. Kinkade never drew dark, foreboding castles or suspicious, viney, mossy, dark forests, or lava flows within deadly volcanic caverns, all things present in King's Quest games. So no, I'd never suggest basing an entire KQ game on his style alone. Never.

[Focused]

Well said. Still, that painting in your last post is really beautiful. I like it a lot.

[DoctorCello]

Out of curiosity, what do you dislike about it?

Other than the fact that he's a complete marketing whore, he really doesn't have a good understanding of light and composition, two elements that are pretty darn crucial if you want to be a painter! Every cottage he paints has an unearthly glow, no matter what time of day it is. Using that picture you posted, notice how inconsistent the direction of light is half the time. For example, that tree on the far left should be covered more in shadow from where we're looking at it, and the cottage is too far away to have a reflection in the stream. As for composition, Kinkade has a tendency to cram as much stuff as possible into his paintings without considering how to lead the viewer's eyes around it. Now the painting you posted is less terrible in this regard, but then there's stuff like this:

http://www.stitchkingdom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/bambifirstyear.jpg

...which is just uggghh. Honestly, he isn't the worst painter ever, I just think there are far better painters who do/did the same kind of stuff but more competently. Here are some examples:

http://www.linesandcolors.com/images/2007-07/turner_450.jpg

http://www.jim3dlong.com/1766_Fragonard_The_Swing-WR400.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/Caspar_David_Friedrich_071.jpg/350px-Caspar_David_Friedrich_071.jpg

[Secret Fawful]

Every cottage he paints has an unearthly glow, no matter what time of day it is.

I've always had the impression that this is a stylistic and symbolic thing of some sort with him. I personally like it because it evokes atmosphere, and one that I really like. I don't believe his paintings are meant to evoke any sort of realism, whereas I get an impression of realism from the ones you posted, except for the Swing, which is also as far from Kinkade's style as possible. I have a feeling you have a wide knowledge of this field though.

Using that picture you posted, notice how inconsistent the direction of light is half the time. For example, that tree on the far left should be covered more in shadow from where we're looking at it, and the cottage is too far away to have a reflection in the stream. As for composition, Kinkade has a tendency to cram as much stuff as possible into his paintings without considering how to lead the viewer's eyes around it. Now the painting you posted is less terrible in this regard, but then there's stuff like this-

I will admit that the painting you posted is terrible, and one I've never seen before. I'm having trouble believing it's a real painting, especially as some of the deer don't fit at all, however these are the sort of paintings I like from the man-

http://i.imgur.com/oJJkc.gif
http://i.imgur.com/gxND9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KS58Q.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lHL4W.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wPQsF.jpg


-nothing like what you posted. Now that you've pointed out some flaws in his paintings, I admit I'll probably be looking for flaws more now, as I never considered it before, but unless someone can find me a painter with an extremely similar style who has a better mastery over it, I don't think I'll move on from liking it. I'm definitely not against liking a flawed artist. Personally, if I could gain a greater mastery over his style than he has, I would. I'd love to be able to paint scenes with that sort of glow and atmosphere to perfection.

[Irishmile]

The thing about Kinkade is that he is sort of boring and safe... I understand why people like his stuff.... its meant to appeal to the masses and not make you think... I think a lot of other artist resent his stuff because of the mass appeal and no real challenge to your thoughts its all just right there.

But its not like I'm an art snob... one of my favorite painters is Todd Lockwood... I tend to like fantasy art... I like it... Even if its not what is considered "serious" art... do not get me wrong.. I like things that make you think or make you a little uncomfortable... stuff like francis bacon did... who WAS a serious artist

[Giant Tope]

I guess what bugs me about kinkade is how, quite frankly, his pieces just feel so bland and corporate. It just seems like it has no heart of itself. I like stuff that feels really warm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rembrandt_-_The_Philosopher_in_Meditation.jpg) too, but that's a bit different from your tastes and I can understand that people have different tastes, so it's cool.

[Secret Fawful]

I guess what bugs me about kinkade is how, quite frankly, his pieces just feel so bland and corporate. It just seems like it has no heart of itself. I like stuff that feels really warm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rembrandt_-_The_Philosopher_in_Meditation.jpg) too, but that's a bit different from your tastes and I can understand that people have different tastes, so it's cool.

I like how you automatically assume I wouldn't like that piece. You're really shitty when it comes to figuring people out, Tope. Try harder or quit trying. Here's a hint: quick judgments are bad. No one is as simple as you make them out to be.

Two of my favorite artists of all time: Gustave Dore and Edward Gorey. As far from Kinkade in tone as possible. Oops. Oh shit, bet you didn't expect those two names from a little' ol Kinkade fan.

[DoctorCello]

I like how you automatically assume I wouldn't like that piece. You're really shitty when it comes to figuring people out, Tope. Try harder or quit trying. Here's a hint: quick judgments are bad. No one is as simple as you make them out to be.

Whoa there, calm down. Tope actually suggested that I edit my post to include that piece, but I said it was too dark in comparison to Kinkade and not what you were looking for, so if there's anyone you should be yelling at, it's me. Either way, don't be assuming that she's trying to antagonize you, because trust me, she's not. >8(

By the way, I didn't reply back because I kinda realized that there are very few artists who do that cottage-y thing that Kinkade does, and while I could post paintings with candy-coated color schemes and bright lighting that I like, it still wouldn't be the same subject matter. I just don't really like his stuff, and the reason I thought you were trolling earlier is that Kinkade's pretty unpopular among artists, both high-brow and low-brow. It's just unusual is all.

[Secret Fawful]

I'm completely calm and my post is not directed at any form of antagonism. I'm simply saying to assume that that piece is outside of my tastes is so beyond the truth that it shows a very shitty understanding of my tastes at all.

You thought I was trolling? You know, it's times like that that make me want to stop screwing around on these forums. I won't, but the comparison to real trolling does give me the incentive. I also kind of wanted to quit replying because I didn't want every other post in this topic to be mine, but I did kind of have to set Tope's assumption right. I never knew Kinkade was unpopular.

[Giant Tope]

I like how you automatically assume I wouldn't like that piece. You're really shitty when it comes to figuring people out, Tope. Try harder or quit trying. Here's a hint: quick judgments are bad. No one is as simple as you make them out to be..

Erm..

I wasn't expecting you to not like it, I was just posting it as an example similar to what you described liking.

You say quick judgments are bad, and yet you judged me as to think that I think of others simply. I really don't, nor was my post even attacking you. In fact I was trying to extend an olive branch, but if you don't want it, then fine. :(

[DoctorCello]

You thought I was trolling? You know, it's times like that that make me want to stop screwing around on these forums. I won't, but the comparison to real trolling does give me the incentive. I also kind of wanted to quit replying because I didn't want every other post in this topic to be mine, but I did kind of have to set Tope's assumption right. I never knew Kinkade was unpopular.

Yes, Kinkade is unpopular. (http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/thomas-kinkade-improves-the-disney-classics.html) Saying you like Thomas Kinkade is like an aspiring singer saying he likes Justin Bieber. Does it really matter? No, but making a statement like that will raise eyebrows no matter what.

[Secret Fawful]

Erm..

I wasn't expecting you to not like it, I was just posting it as an example similar to what you described liking.

You say quick judgments are bad, and yet you judged me as to think that I think of others simply. I really don't, nor was my post even attacking you. In fact I was trying to extend an olive branch, but if you don't want it, then fine. :(

You're right that I judged you, but it was no quick judgment. It's one I've developed over time. And again, I didn't say you were attacking me. Your whole post reeks of more extreme assumptions. I feel I've caused this topic to go in a very silly direction. Despite that, I obviously misinterpreted your original post, so I apologize. Forget it.

Yes, Kinkade is unpopular. (http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/thomas-kinkade-improves-the-disney-classics.html) Saying you like Thomas Kinkade is like an aspiring singer saying he likes Justin Bieber. Does it really matter? No, but making a statement like that will raise eyebrows no matter what.

I'll have to read more of that link, but I would definitely love to be able to "paint circles around this guy". Maybe I should go to Art Center. :D

[Rather Dashing]

guys

can we talk about art with dragons in it now

[Secret Fawful]

Sure thing! Let's talk the Brothers Hildebrandt, my next choice for an inspiration for King's Quest.

http://i.imgur.com/weUbT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IyRhV.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aM1O1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PnQUN.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/66CUj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/90SUE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EjPYo.jpg

[Giant Tope]

I've always loved Ivan Bilibin's style, though I'm not sure if it would really fit with the with the game. What do you guys think?

http://i.imgur.com/lxSyVl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/npbWHl.jpg

[Secret Fawful]

I don't see one dragon in either of those pictures.

[Rather Dashing]

Maybe you're not squinting hard enough.

[Andorxor]

Dragons are mystical creature.They can be invisible.

[doggans]

http://i.imgur.com/weUbT.jpg

Ooh, this one's on the cover of my cassette tape of the BBC radio version of "The Hobbit", so it makes me feel all nostalgic and fuzzy.

[Irishmile]

I already mentioned I am a fan of Todd Lockwood

http://www.suvudu.com/suvudumedia/lockwood-temeraire2.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T9n9y1_Lkfs/SwbFAV8PpbI/AAAAAAAAEZU/F1eddxZHyfc/s1600/Todd-Lockwood.jpg

http://www.tolo.biz/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/progress_009.jpg

[Simo Sakari Aaltonen]

I really like your choice of paintings, Secret Fawful. Some of those hold a lot of magic for me.

[Irishmile]

The Box art was often times darker and more heavily fantasy book art inspired than fairy tale art.. personally I would like that continued epic painted box art would be nice...

I know they have some pretty great artist that they already work with already.... But how awesome would it be if someone like Todd Lockwood (http://www.toddlockwood.com/) was commissioned for the box art?

http://www.tolo.biz/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Sheepfarmers_Daughter.jpg
http://www.tolo.biz/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/InTheShadow_Final.jpg
http://www.tolo.biz/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/gold_web.jpg

[Secret Fawful]

Ah, yeah, he has some nice stuff.

I'm a big fan of the stuff done by TheGryph on DeviantArt-

http://i.imgur.com/tA4xj.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/PKae9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YD9cU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IESpj.jpg

thegryph.deviantart.com

And when it comes to pure fantasy, you really can't beat Ralph Horsley. I don't even know where to start with this guy and his amazing use of color and lighting-

http://i.imgur.com/4iRjg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/T9Tuf.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/toNyY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wYqow.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ccDEK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BKXn9.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6Znpr.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KNNof.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mkDRE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Ay1FN.jpg (http://imgur.com/Ay1FN)

And one of the greatest paintings I've ever seen in terms of how to do detail and cramming right-

http://i.imgur.com/gMdeA.jpg

ralphhorsley.deviantart.com


I probably showed off too much, but damn, how could I not?

[Simo Sakari Aaltonen]

These latest pictures may be impressive in their own way (though not really my thing), but I can't see this style working with King's Quest... Most of them lack the fairy tale/storybook aspect and are straight RPG-style fantasy instead. But then, you did mention that, Secret Fawful.

[Secret Fawful]

Yeah, that's true. I keep reverting purely to paintings when thinking of inspirations.

[Lambonius]

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/Lambonius/grahamfred.png

[Simo Sakari Aaltonen]

Oh my lord, that is excellent.

[Focused]

How about Andy Hoyos' style? He was the Art Director on both KQV and KQVII, and many Sierra classics, including Quest for Glory III and Phantasmagoria and a truckload of others.

I just thought of him because I think he participated as a voice actor in IA's remake of KQIII so perhaps he's "approachable". Having him on board to draw concept art and maybe even actual backgrounds or art assets for the game would sure as hell kick butt.

And besides, even though KQVI is my favorite of the series (that one's Art Director was William Skirvin), I still see KQV as the ultimate game in terms of fantasy art and backgrounds. Everything was so detailed and moody, quite a feat at this low resolution!

Here's a concept montage (http://www.andyhoyos.com/images/ci28_04.jpg) of some of Andy Hoyos' stuff for Sierra. The image footer says "King's Quest" but there are sketches from Mixed-Up Fairy Tales and I think QFGIII as well.

Then again, Telltale already has very talented concept artists.

[Jon NA]

Sorry to interrupt the discussion.

I'm a newcomer to the series and just decided to give KQ a try a few months ago.
I saw this thread and seeing it was created by Rather Dashing, became curious what is his vision of the artistic style of KQ should be as a big fan (http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=453492&postcount=6).

Seeing that the series is apparently has a fantasy Narnia-esque atmosphere (as far as I read your comments), I thought I should introduce a game that in my opinion successfully manages to create Lush forest atmospheres.

The Path (http://tale-of-tales.com/ThePath/) by Tale-of-Tales (http://tale-of-tales.com/). (Images below are taken from the respective screen-shot gallery (http://www.adventuregamers.com/gallery.php?id=1469) of AdventureGamers.com )

http://www.adventuregamers.com/images/db/9744.jpg

http://www.adventuregamers.com/images/db/9730.jpg

http://www.adventuregamers.com/images/db/9741.jpg

http://www.adventuregamers.com/images/db/9725.jpg

http://www.adventuregamers.com/images/db/9742.jpg

They are researching for ways that makes them able to make such painting like atmospheres even better.

PS: @RatherDashing: Sorry for posting your first re-action. Don't be ashamed of it, I had my embarresing first reactions too ... (http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=126251&postcount=14)
I'll remove it if you want me to.

[Secret Fawful]

how about andy hoyos' style? He was the art director on both kqv and kqvii, and many sierra classics, including quest for glory iii and phantasmagoria and a truckload of others.

I just thought of him because i think he participated as a voice actor in ia's remake of kqiii so perhaps he's "approachable". Having him on board to draw concept art and maybe even actual backgrounds or art assets for the game would sure as hell kick butt.

And besides, even though kqvi is my favorite of the series (that one's art director was william skirvin), i still see kqv as the ultimate game in terms of fantasy art and backgrounds. Everything was so detailed and moody, quite a feat at this low resolution!

Here's a concept montage (http://www.andyhoyos.com/images/ci28_04.jpg) of some of andy hoyos' stuff for sierra. The image footer says "king's quest" but there are sketches from mixed-up fairy tales and i think qfgiii as well.

Then again, telltale already has very talented concept artists.

Yes.

[Giant Tope]

sure got magic the gathering in here once i left

[doom saber]

I would like to see the art direction done like Jurassic Park or something similar.

[Rather Dashing]

I would like to see the art direction done like Jurassic Park or something similar.

...

Why.

[philthethrill]

I like Yalex's artwork on deviantart, especially his fairy tale pictures because they look like storybook illustrations. These pictures are small, but if you click on them, you can see the larger version. I did this to make it easier on Kroms. See his post here (http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=457597&postcount=60) to find out why.



http://th05.deviantart.net/fs70/150/i/2009/347/0/9/Cinderella_3_by_yalex.jpg (http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2009/347/0/9/Cinderella_3_by_yalex.jpg) http://th08.deviantart.net/fs41/150/i/2009/005/8/b/Cinderella_5_by_yalex.jpg (http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs41/i/2009/005/8/b/Cinderella_5_by_yalex.jpg) http://th05.deviantart.net/fs17/150/i/2007/296/1/2/Cinderella_7_prince_by_yalex.jpg (http://th06.deviantart.net/fs17/PRE/i/2007/296/1/2/Cinderella_7_prince_by_yalex.jpg)


http://th00.deviantart.net/fs50/150/i/2009/298/e/c/__Sleeping_Beauty___cover_by_yalex.jpg (http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs50/i/2009/298/e/c/__Sleeping_Beauty___cover_by_yalex.jpg) http://th04.deviantart.net/fs51/150/i/2009/290/7/e/Perrault___Sleeping_Beauty___1_by_yalex.jpg (http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs51/i/2009/290/7/e/Perrault___Sleeping_Beauty___1_by_yalex.jpg) http://th05.deviantart.net/fs51/150/i/2009/299/e/b/Perrault_Sleeping_Beauty_2_by_yalex.jpg (http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs51/i/2009/299/e/b/Perrault_Sleeping_Beauty_2_by_yalex.jpg)


http://th01.deviantart.net/fs48/150/i/2009/205/4/1/Sleeping_Beauty__4_by_yalex.jpg (http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs48/i/2009/205/4/1/Sleeping_Beauty__4_by_yalex.jpg) http://th08.deviantart.net/fs30/150/i/2009/254/3/f/Perrault___Sleeping_Beauty___5_by_yalex.jpg (http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs30/i/2009/254/3/f/Perrault___Sleeping_Beauty___5_by_yalex.jpg) http://th03.deviantart.net/fs46/150/i/2009/192/2/b/Perrault___Sleeping_Beauty___7_by_yalex.jpg (http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs46/i/2009/192/2/b/Perrault___Sleeping_Beauty___7_by_yalex.jpg)



http://th04.deviantart.net/fs50/150/f/2009/335/d/4/Little_red_riding_hood_by_yalex.jpg (http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs50/f/2009/335/d/4/Little_red_riding_hood_by_yalex.jpg) http://th01.deviantart.net/fs71/150/f/2009/348/9/0/Puss_in_Boots_by_yalex.jpg (http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2009/348/9/0/Puss_in_Boots_by_yalex.jpg) http://th07.deviantart.net/fs71/150/f/2010/058/c/7/Snow_queen_by_yalex.jpg (http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2010/058/c/7/Snow_queen_by_yalex.jpg)

[Bloody Eugene]

I think Oblivion is to take in HUGE considetration to how model the landscapes.
I choosed an old title like this (2004!!!!!), because I think that the TelltaleTool can reach an almost 7 years old... at least I hope so.... The Telltale Tool seems old in BTTF, I hope JP gives good news.
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/content/binary/3_G.jpg
http://xbox.kombo.com/images/media/oblivion_004.jpg

And THIS wonderful video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaOJME5h5pQ

[Kroms]

Hey guys.

You know about that hoo haa that happened when Canada was threatened with a 25 GB cap per month, and the world laughed?

We here in Jordan get a 15 GB cap if we're lucky.

Try to lessen up on the big images, for my sake.

[philthethrill]

I think Oblivion is to take in HUGE considetration to how model the landscapes.

I agree. I watched the trailer and it made me feel as if I was there. Everything looked so realistic.

Try to lessen up on the big images, for my sake.

I found a great guide that shows you how to make thumbnails. A thumbnail is a small picture which you can click on to see a bigger picture.

Let me show you an example with one of the fairy tale pictures I posted from Yalex.

http://th05.deviantart.net/fs17/150/i/2007/296/1/2/Cinderella_7_prince_by_yalex.jpg (http://th06.deviantart.net/fs17/PRE/i/2007/296/1/2/Cinderella_7_prince_by_yalex.jpg)

I know it's small, but when you click on it, you'll see the larger version. Isn't that neat? And it takes up less space and makes it easier on people like Kroms. Here's the guide. http://learn-bbcode.blogspot.com/2007/09/how-to-post-pictures-clickable.html

I think I'll edit my post with the big pictures and make them smaller.

[Raye]

I agree a painted look would be nice. I just wish to point out that such a look is possible with 3D, given the right textures. there is this one quest in Elder Scrolls Oblivion where you are trapped inside a painting. the results, which were no doubt done fairly quickly since these 'painted' landscapes and trolls only appear in this one level in the entire game, look pretty cool.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/jillbamfette/Oblivion/painted-world1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/jillbamfette/Oblivion/painted-world2.jpg

and that was merely swapping out textures, (and they never bothered with some of them, like the tree trunks) if the game were to built from the ground up with this in mind, it would surely look better

*eta: btw. my favorite storybook illustrator is a Russian artist called Ivan Bilibin. his style uses more flat areas of colours, though.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2a/Redsun.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Bilibin._Baba_Yaga.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Firebird.jpg (the phoenix and some other parts were printed with metallic gold ink, doesn't scan well)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Ivan_Bilibin_060.jpeg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZhOJatv4q0w/TNHKJiDQ27I/AAAAAAAAAXM/HOPggyNKwc8/s1600/PR_RU--12--big.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Ivan_Bilibin_024_variation.jpeg
http://www.akropola.org/App_Upload/Image/galerije/slike/PR_RU--15--big.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Ivan_Bilibin_028.jpeg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Ivan_Bilibin_Koshchey.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c3YxRqkUaTA/TVOBs8z2STI/AAAAAAAABiQ/jSu1G72UH4Y/s1600/ivan_bilibin_vasilisa.jpg.jpg

his style is not something that is similar to any of the previous King's Quest games, but it is gorgeous and has a very fairytale feeling. If Telltale's renderer can do a cell-shaded look similar to that Prince of Persia game: http://gamerlimit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/prince-of-persia-1.jpg I think it would be gorgeous. kind of split the difference between the early games, and KQ7's cartoon look, in a way. though maybe it would be more appropriate for Quest for Glory :p or Fables. There was an issue (or was it 2?) where they were doing Rus fairytales and the artist paid homage to Bilibin.

[DAISHI]

i agree a painted look would be nice. I just wish to point out that such a look is possible with 3d, given the right textures. There is this one quest in elder scrolls oblivion where you are trapped inside a painting. The results, which were no doubt done fairly quickly since these 'painted' landscapes and trolls only appear in this one level in the entire game, look pretty cool.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/jillbamfette/oblivion/painted-world1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/jillbamfette/oblivion/painted-world2.jpg

and that was merely swapping out textures, (and they never bothered with some of them, like the tree trunks) if the game were to built from the ground up with this in mind, it would surely look better

*eta: Btw. My favorite storybook illustrator is a russian artist called ivan bilibin. His style uses more flat areas of colours, though.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2a/redsun.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/bilibin._baba_yaga.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/firebird.jpg (the phoenix and some other parts were printed with metallic gold ink, doesn't scan well)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/ivan_bilibin_060.jpeg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zhojatv4q0w/tnhkjidq27i/aaaaaaaaaxm/hopggynkwc8/s1600/pr_ru--12--big.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/ivan_bilibin_024_variation.jpeg
http://www.akropola.org/app_upload/image/galerije/slike/pr_ru--15--big.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/ivan_bilibin_028.jpeg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/ivan_bilibin_koshchey.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c3yxrqkuata/tvobs8z2sti/aaaaaaaabiq/jsu1g72uh4y/s1600/ivan_bilibin_vasilisa.jpg.jpg

his style is not something that is similar to any of the previous king's quest games, but it is gorgeous and has a very fairytale feeling. If telltale's renderer can do a cell-shaded look similar to that prince of persia game: http://gamerlimit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/prince-of-persia-1.jpg i think it would be gorgeous. Kind of split the difference between the early games, and kq7's cartoon look, in a way. Though maybe it would be more appropriate for quest for glory :p or fables. There was an issue (or was it 2?) where they were doing rus fairytales and the artist paid homage to bilibin.

that was one of the best stages in oblivion

[philthethrill]

I agree a painted look would be nice. I just wish to point out that such a look is possible with 3D, given the right textures. there is this one quest in Elder Scrolls Oblivion where you are trapped inside a painting. the results, which were no doubt done fairly quickly since these 'painted' landscapes and trolls only appear in this one level in the entire game, look pretty cool.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ted-world1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ted-world2.jpg

and that was merely swapping out textures

Have you ever played any of the Carol Reed games from MDNA Games? http://www.mdna-games.com/
The backgrounds are actual pictures of Sweden that have been modified with the watercolor filter in Photoshop.

[GuybrushWilco]

This may sound kind of weird, but I always thought King Graham looked a bit like Michael Landon.

[drunkenmonkey]

I like all the artwork I've seen in this thread. Areas like those would provide the fantasy aspect to the new King's Quest series.

A game that has recently reminded me of King's Quest, is Tale of a Hero.

http://www.future-games.cz/www/taleofhero/en/

I would like to see a new King's Quest game in this style.

[philthethrill]

I loved that game. Unfortunately, there was never an actual English release. There was, however, a French version with English voices and French subtitles. If anyone is interested, it can be found here. http://www.eptisoft.com/francais/telechargement-achat/tale-of-a-hero,a10982ENY,c.html

You can also download it from the publisher's website or you can order the boxed version. http://www.microapp.com/jeu_premium_tale_of_a_hero_3181.html

There's a review of the game on adventuregamers.com that includes a link for a patch that changes the subtitles to English. I haven't tried this. I downloaded the game two years ago, and I didn't realize there was a patch until now. Anyway, here's the patch. http://peregrius.cz/toh/toh_en_patch.zip

And here's the review which gave the game two stars. http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,1014

You might want to try out the demo before buying the full version. That way you can create your own opinion. The demo doesn't have any voices though, but at least you can get a better idea of what the game is like. http://www.gamershell.com/download_23615.shtml

[Radogol]

http://i56.tinypic.com/2s81uf4.png (http://i52.tinypic.com/28srll1.jpg)

http://i51.tinypic.com/28inaxw.jpg (http://i54.tinypic.com/2chophk.jpg)

A boy can dream, right?

[MusicallyInspired]

That's very nice.

[Lambonius]

Hey Radogol, what is that game? It looks simply stunning!

[Anakin Skywalker]

http://i56.tinypic.com/2s81uf4.png (http://i52.tinypic.com/28srll1.jpg)

http://i51.tinypic.com/28inaxw.jpg (http://i54.tinypic.com/2chophk.jpg)

A boy can dream, right?

This would be perfect.

[philthethrill]

This would be perfect.

I agree. They look great.

Hey Radogol, what is that game? It looks simply stunning!

I wanted to ask about it on the Adventure Gamers forum, but when I went to their main site, I saw the same screenshots Radogol posted. The caption said they're from The Dark Eye: Satinavs Ketten. There's more information here. http://www.adventuregamers.com/newsitem.php?id=2172
And here's the official website. There's only a forum available at the moment. http://www.dsa-satinavsketten.de/
Somebody asked about the story on that forum, and the developer revealed the basic plot. You can read it here. http://forum.daedalic.de/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=756

[Lambonius]

I know many would snub their noses at a Disney-fied style, but I have to say, the visual direction of the movie Tangled would be just about perfect for a Telltale-esque KQ game. Maybe just a little less cartoonish, and it'd be spot on. I watched that movie tonight with my wife and the art is really stunning. The landscapes are lush and vivid and the the colors and designs whimsical and very King's Questy, in my opinion. Just no singing, for the love of God.

[MusicallyInspired]

Except for the proportion-exaggerated characters I agree.

[Lambonius]

Except for the proportion-exaggerated characters I agree.

Yeah--tone down the bug eyes and cartoon proportions and it'd be great. The design of the lead male character, Flynn Rider, would be about as cartoonish as I'd want any of the characters to look. Though, I could be persuaded to accept cartoonish character designs as long as the game didn't revert into silliness to the same level that KQ7 did.

And I think it's worth restating just how HORRIBLE any singing would be in a KQ game. KQ7, you ugly piece of shit, I'm looking at you.

[ATMachine]

On the subject of Disney art styles and KQ--I don't think that the more traditionally-animated, Disney-inspired 2D art used in KQ7 was necessarily a bad choice, and I'm not opposed to the use of something in the vein of the Tangled "Disney 3D" for this new KQ.

I do think, though, that Sierra was so caught up in emulating Disney when it made KQ7 that it copied too much of their style. Not just art-wise, but content-wise and in terms of writing.... they borrowed ideas like "an entire cast of talking animals" and "a musical number for the heroine to sing in the intro" (of the type usually known as an "I Want song," though in KQ7's case it's more of an I Don't Want song).

This sort of unrestrained whimsy doesn't really mesh well with the atmosphere established by prior KQ games, which often varied between light moments and more serious drama. Whatever inspires the art style of a future KQ game shouldn't necessarily dictate its plot, characters, and writing style.

[Radogol]

And I think it's worth restating just how HORRIBLE any singing would be in a KQ game. KQ7, you ugly piece of shit, I'm looking at you.

You are under arrest for not being fun.

We are the ants...

[Lambonius]

You are under arrest for not being fun.

We are the ants...

Haha...touche. You know, I actually used to love that ant song as a kid. But even when I was younger, I STILL thought the delivery was terrible in KQ7.

ATM hit the nail on the head though--in KQ5, that bit was balanced out by the more serious elements of the story, whereas in KQ7, it was the serious bits that were in the minority.

[Irishmile]

I need to learn German... There are so many German games I want to play.

[MusicallyInspired]

I always liked the Weeping Willow song found on the CD version, sung by Mark Seibert's wife. And then there's Girl in the Tower...

[ATMachine]

I always liked the Weeping Willow song found on the CD version, sung by Mark Seibert's wife. And then there's Girl in the Tower...
Which was also sung (at least the female vocals) by Mark Seibert's wife. As was "Land Beyond Dreams" in KQ7. Gee, what a coincidence! :p And of course Mark himself did the male vocals for Girl in the Tower.

[MusicallyInspired]

Actually, he didn't. The male vocals on GIIT were performed by Bob Bergthold.

[Armakuni]

Just had a look through this thread for the first time, initially I was thinking I would prefer Kings Quest 5 style graphics (obviously much higher res, and more animation etc) over anything else but then I saw the pictures posted by Radogol and damn :eek:
Those are really nice! I wouldn't mind them doing the game with graphics like those :D
They actually somewhat remind me of the art direction used in some of the Settlers games.

http://i56.tinypic.com/2s81uf4.png (http://i52.tinypic.com/28srll1.jpg)

http://i51.tinypic.com/28inaxw.jpg (http://i54.tinypic.com/2chophk.jpg)

[philthethrill]

I played a casual game called Crystal Fairytale of Cinderella and I thought the backgrounds and character models were well done. Here are a few screenshots.

http://www.computerlandgames.rs/photos/products/6/4596/thumbnails/150x150/164992.jpg (http://www.pcgamestore.com/system/assets/images/1/000/535/650/cinderella_scr15.jpg) http://images.stopgame.ru/screenshots/10336/small/zolushka_hrustalnaja_skazka-1.jpg (http://images.stopgame.ru/screenshots/10336/660/zolushka_hrustalnaja_skazka-1.jpg)

http://images.stopgame.ru/screenshots/10336/small/zolushka_hrustalnaja_skazka-3.jpg (http://images.stopgame.ru/screenshots/10336/660/zolushka_hrustalnaja_skazka-3.jpg)

http://iceimg.com/i/42/5e/40e81b9f95.jpg (http://iceimg.com/i/f9/b4/240ec084b5.jpg) http://s002.radikal.ru/i197/1008/34/03e852d3de05.jpg (http://s04.radikal.ru/i177/1008/f7/104780253282.jpg)

Here's a gameplay video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeOzbUiAFwc

And here's a video of the introduction with storybook graphics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2QAqzHyfiI&feature=related

If anyone is interested, there's a free demo available here. http://www.pcgamestore.com/games/cinderella-the-crystal-fairytale

[philthethrill]

Has anyone heard of Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS. It comes out on June 19 in the US and June 17 in Europe. The graphics have been redone and they look great. I found a few screenshots of backgrounds that would look great in a King's Quest game.

http://www.zeldac.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/screenshot_36396.jpg

http://www.zeldac.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/034_HyruleTown_2_EN1-e1303531487189.jpg

[MusicallyInspired]

I've known about it since E3 of last year.

[wilco64256]

Yeah I think I've heard something about that Ocarina 3D thingamawhatsit.

[philthethrill]

Has anyone seen this trailer for the movie Brave from Pixar that's coming out Summer 2012? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYg0VgPy6Uk

I think something like this could work in a King's Quest game. What do you think?

[Mr. Freeze]

As long as we're on the subject of Zelda, I'd love it if this game looked like Skyward Sword.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erK4rFE2xSc

[philthethrill]

That would be neat. I'm looking forward to that game. What would you think if the new King's Quest looked like a Studio Ghibli movie? There's a game called Ninokuni that they worked on with Level-5, the creators of Professor Layton. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUYVdRxgED8

http://storage.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/nk_ss1_thumb.jpg (http://storage.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/nk_ss1.jpg) http://storage.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/nk_ss6_thumb.jpg (http://storage.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/nk_ss6.jpg) http://storage.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/nk_ss4_thumb.jpg (http://storage.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/nk_ss4.jpg) http://storage.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/nk_ss2_thumb.jpg (http://storage.siliconera.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/nk_ss2.jpg)

[philthethrill]

There's a movie coming out next year called Dorothy of Oz which is based on the book by the great-grandson of L. Frank Baum, Roger S. Baum. Here are a few pictures.

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/still/dorothy-of-oz01.jpg

http://www.geekanthem.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DorothyOfOz_slide1.jpg

http://www.geekanthem.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DorothyOfOz_slide2.jpg

http://www.geekanthem.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DorothyOfOz_slide3.jpg

http://www.geekanthem.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DorothyOfOz_slide5.jpg

http://www.geekanthem.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DorothyOfOz_slide4.jpg

[KatieHal]

And now I want ice cream. :)

[Alex IDV]

http://www.geekanthem.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DorothyOfOz_slide2.jpg

http://www.geekanthem.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DorothyOfOz_slide5.jpg
And I instantly think of the Glassmakers' Guild in Loom.

[philthethrill]

And I just think of seeing the movie when it comes out and how neat a King's Quest game would be with graphics like that.

[Bloody Eugene]

TRINE 2!!!!!
That's it. I want it this way.
Sharp. Romantic. Evocative. Detailed.

http://pcmedia.ign.com/pc/image/article/117/1174383/e3-2011-trine-2-screens-20110608112914439_640w.jpg

Look at this HD movie : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMwUzM773lw&feature=related !!!!! (interesting part begins at 1:05)

KQ can't be less than this.

[Lambonius]

I agree that Trine 2's graphics style would be PERFECT for KQ, but there is no way in hell Telltale will hit that level of detail and polish. It'd be a great goal for them to shoot for though.

[Blackthorne519]

Yeah, Trine 2 is really beautiful looking!


Bt

[Irishmile]

I read that Frozenbyte has a staff of about 20 people... how they pulled off a game that looks like Trine 2 is mind boggling..

[BagginsKQ]

Isn't mostly a 2-D game? Side scroller? I don't see how they would need that many artists?

[Irishmile]

I think the lighting really makes up for about 85% of the effect.

[Alex IDV]

I think the lighting really makes up for about 85% of the effect.

Probably. It does look very nice, though.

[BagginsKQ]

I don't know... I think it has way too much 'bloom', people tend to go overboard with 'bloom' and 'lens flare'... See Star Trek reboot...

I don't want to see Graham (or whomever) glowing like a radioactive mutant...

KQ needs to be tastefully subdued...