Week 4 - Envision the feel of the game ... Also art inspiration and ideas.

This week we discussed the feel of our game and the visual approach we are taking for the characters and the world. For now we agreed upon a slightly pixelated art style with inspirations such as "Crypt of the Necrodancer" and "Titan souls". To me particularly a similar look to the game "Titan souls" seems more fitting as it looks slightly simpler. I had the idea to make it more detailed, but due to device limitations this could be a bad idea.

I envision the feel of the world slightly darker thank usual, in order to induce the urge of dread, but not as much to the point that it gets overwhelming. I had the idea of few different zones to chose from in the beginning of the character selection, for example - viking themed zone, tribal, sailor/pirate, but for now this seems to be too much to think of. All of the above would have a different building style, enemies, character designs and overall artwork. As for the settlement design (and character concept art further down).

I brought up a bunch of references that could get my idea across. Of course, the next few weeks I will be working on our original artwork, but for now you could call it looking for inspiration or even research to help envision the details and specifics of a world and its inhabitants.

Well designed and simple buildings, however I reckon this would be too realistic for the feel of our game.

An interesting looking layout of the buildings and the surroundings. 

I have always loved the feel that WoW's Grizzly Hills implies. It is desolate but still full of life. Dangerous and beautiful.
For a viking zone this sort of feel should be aimed for. 

Grizzly Hills again, but this time the focus is on the buildings. These look sturdy and natural at the same time.
Having in mind that we are going to have utility buildings such as a smith, tailor and so on, I think wooden
buildings can be modified into some of the specifics we need.

Here is another viking themed location in World of Warcraft with a slightly moodier look to it.
This could be due to seasons but the combination with the fires makes it cozier and a seemingly good location for a settlement.

A Minecraft rendered image that looks like an interesting location for a settlement.
I like how it is enclosed in a mountain ridge and it has access to a mine.
This idea could be utilized well in our case as we
want to imply that our hero is hiding.

For a sailor/pirate settlement this gives me a brief surge of ideas. The small, simple, weather-resistant structures
located on the coast surrounded by lush vegetation. That is the feel this would be going for - lively and simple.

As of the characters and enemies we are going for something that would be universal to all the possible zones, mostly because the hero is a traveler or a runaway, so he clearly shouldn't fit in. Also with time you are going to come across different skins (one way or another) that will change your appearance and equipment.

A model of a hunter.

Tattered light pair of clothes for the rogue, for swiftness and comfort.
Confident and happy as rogues are.

Heavier more battle oriented model.
Our rogue most likely will not have
a ranged weapon.

A female model of the rogue.
As we are having the choice between both genders
clothes reference like this is helpful.

The warrior should be heavier built.

A suggestion of a wizard implementation
He could be more of a battle wizard

In case a tribal zone/character is considered