If Graal really wanted to, it could look really nice.
Graal2002's new template is extremely delicious.. I love the way everything is kept as PNGs too. That allows for more usage. Instead of using preset tiles to do the trick, it uses PNGs that you can "tell" what to do when enacted on by the player or the server.
The only bad part about the new system is that it isn't too user-friendly with the Graal characters, players, and level/graphic makers.
Not many people in Graal are able to duplicate the style used in graal2002. It uses dodge and burn techniques mixed with anti-alias.... and who in their right mind would experiment with making such graphics to place in a 2-dimensional interface that the average Graal uses?
The thing is, you could make 2D graphics like usual, but make it much nicer. Instead of being lame and using all the Graal styles, develop your own! I spent one day experimenting by merely drawing a simple tree outline. I then proceded to color it in. --
note: ignore the little character standing in front of the tree.
simple tree outline
final product of the tree
It took only about 1hour to do it.. if Stefan really wanted to make something of the game, he could. I would suggest he make something that fits in with not only the normal graphics, interface, and design of the game, but also something that fits in with a style that can "easily" be duplicated by players.
Such as this tree, it's simple, it's
easy to make, and can be made with a variety of other trees to have sets of plantations to create forests (you can even make the same breed of tree but in different growth forms, with nicks and cuts on it, with perhaps even snakes coiled around the limbs, with shading by the roots for grass, etc. Even more delightful, make "new" types of trees -- perhaps big red trees, willow trees, pine trees, dead trees, etc. OR, create your own new type of tree like I just did.... make up a new leaf.. experiment with colors. It's all so simple and will allow Graal to be something more than just a role-playing world of popularity and nepotism).
So, in conclusion, Graal is doing fine. I have looked and reviewed the new Graal2002 Bogenera town that BirdBird posted. That is a "really" lovely set of levels.
I really like the way its so townlike.. everything's all close together, there are market stands, etc. It has its own character to it.
However, should a Graal2003 happen to come out, go down this route perhaps... use something that is, ultimately, player-friendly.
Well, I was just bored and made this graphic. It's still in construction... perhaps I'll one day make a set of graphics and send them to Graal. However, I thought it was worth posting on here.
Good bye!
12-30-2001, 02:10 AM
Linear Mode
