to itch a scratch, a scratch that needs itching

So i have been busy animating in photoshop once more, working primarily with gifs as i know that these will export to ags (adventure game studio) for when i put them into the game. I am looking over all the animations that will have to be done and it is fair to say it will take a lot of time but it is so rewarding if done to a fine polish.

If you notice this animation has a slight boil effect on it, this was not intentional it is merely due to me not drawing exact with a tablet but i like the effect so i may keep it. It would be nice to hear feedback on what people think about it. (that is you people, because you are wonderful!)

Without further ado, here it is... A simple animation, basically it is the main character (Blatta) scratching his head with his antennae when he is unable to perform an action. (a useful animation as it will be seen a fair amount in most point and click games, usually through dialogue)

Blatta Confused

I see your interesting picture, i raise you one perspective!

Here are just a few pictures that myself and my good friend Dave went out to take the other day, the aim was looking at places and objects that will form game screens and assets. It was interesting and more are being taken to get a good feel for the overall vision of the game. Enjoy and feedback is always welcome.

If we build it, they will come

So, have been doing lots of research for this project and things are moving along rather smoothly, the story is pulling together. The other day headed into town to get some inspiration, took pictures of lots of different things, which i will post here. Gave me a lot of inspiration for environments in the game and a feel for what the main character will encounter.

I also got to work on the logo that you see above, which features the concept for the main character "Blatta" the name refers to the latin for "Peace Insect" i am hoping to stick with it, but i am open to changing it too.

I will continue on with working more on character design and environments and as ever will continue to post on here so all you lovely people get a good update on where i am at.

mein name ist blatta

Have been doing my best at trying to nail an art style for the characters of the game, i am enjoying sketching and experimenting showing different characteristics through posture and expressions. I shall continue to refine until i settle on a style i am pleased with, so far i feel i am improving.

I saw the fruit and it wasn't half bad!

I recently purchased a fantastic new little program, it's called Artrage 2.5 and i have to say that it was worth every penny that i can't afford right now. To draw and sketch in it with my tablet is probably the best thing ever at the moment, and i can quickly manage to draw a lot of concepts that i am happy with. I am trying to get the bulk of character design sorted as i am happy with the idea and i think the story works too. The characters are interesting and if i can nail the animations after the characters are settled in designs then i will be on my way!

I have been working on concepts of the main protagonist of the game, Blatta the cockroach. He has been working out well and the more i draw him the more i feel comfortable with working with scale on making him larger and smaller inside the environment.

I am also working on the concepts for the slug nuns characters, these are obviously early concepts and still require a lot of work. I am trying to show how they are paraded around on their snail steeds, rocking back on forth on their small unstable chairs. Hunched over and shrouded in dark clothing, i wanted to show that they have an eerily serene face, devoid of any real detail.

In between working on concepts for the different characters that are in the bulk of the game, i have been playing around with environments. I am still trying to settle on the overall feel that i want. But i was keen to have weird and wonderful architecture that prompts you to really take in your surroundings and get the most out of looking around you and exploring. But yes, it is all still very much a work in progress.

they bite off the heads of males when mating, wow

I haven't done a cartoon doodle in quite some time, this is the best i have done lately. I really should draw bugs more often, it's fun.

the machine is your friend

I don't think i ever expected to be in the position that i am now, i am actually contemplating my third year of uni. It actually seems rather incredible to me, i think only because i doubt myself so much, and yes i know i shouldn't but a lot makes me believe that i am not destined for the games industry. I don't know where i am destined for but i will be trying my hardest to create a game that i truly am pleased with in my third and final year.

I have been working hard taking down notes every time something pops into my head, sketching down ideas for characters and environments and i am pretty sure i know what kind of game i want to make. I have also been looking at games engines that are suitable to help me easily implement my designs into a program that can let me stitch a game together. I am sure this is now going to be harder than i expected, but i have said it before i relish a challenge. Besides this could push me to go way beyond what i feel is my limit and that is only good right?

I would say something about what i want to create but i think it is better to hold off just a little while longer, i will say that i am studying short stories that can be adapted into the type of video game that i am making. This should be the most stressful, and yet interesting year of uni yet. My teeth are bared, my fists clenched, my eyes are staring into the darkness but i can see a faint light and that is what i run towards!